Micro/Nano-Scale Materials and Techniques for Investigating Neuron-Cancer Interaction

Emerging evidence highlights the important role of nervous microenvironment in cancer development. However, few in vitro models are suitable for investigating neuron-cancer interaction. In recent years, a number of new materials and techniques at micro/nano-scale have been reported, in particular in studies of neuronal development, neuron-cancer interaction, and cancer therapy. They offer new capabilities to fabricate materials and devices in controlling cell behavior and cellular microenvironment. Here, we summarize the basic principles of these micro/nano-scale materials and techniques, and highlight the important advances in this research field of neuron-cancer interface.