Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery Systems of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
Yanfang Wang
Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery Systems of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
Jinqiang Wang
Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery Systems of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China; Corresponding authors.
Olivia L. Lanier
Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
Marissa E. Wechsler
Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
Nicholas A. Peppas
Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Corresponding authors.
Zhen Gu
Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery Systems of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China; Zhejiang Laboratory of Systems and Precision Medicine, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou 311121, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China; Corresponding authors.
Macroencapsulation has been widely used in cell therapy due to its capability to provide immune-privileged sites for implanted allogeneic or xenogeneic cells. Macroencapsulation also serves to provide mechanical and physiochemical support for maintaining cell expansion and promoting therapeutic functions. Macroencapsulation devices such as membrane-controlled release systems, hydrogels, microneedle (MN) array patches, and three-dimensional (3D) stents have shown promising in-lab and preclinical results in the maintenance of long-term cell survival and the strengthening of treatment efficacy. Recent studies focus on expanding the applications of these devices to new cell-based areas such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell delivery, cardiovascular disease therapy, and the exploration of new materials, construction methods, and working principles to augment treatment efficacy and prolong therapy duration. Here, we survey innovative platforms and approaches, as well as translation outcomes, for advancing the performance and applications of macrodevices for cell-based therapies. A discussion and critique regarding future opportunities and challenges is also provided.
