Reviewing the potential use of scaffold-mediated localized chemotherapy in oncology

Post-surgical recurrence and metastasis remain to be the major concern in oncology. The absence of any therapeutic modality during the interim period between the surgical intervention and initiation of conventional radiotherapy and chemotherapy allows the residual cancer cells to proliferate, culminating in recurrence and/or metastasis. Introducing a therapeutic modality during this interim period could suppress the proliferation of the residual tumor cells. Further, as the detrimental effects of conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy drastically reduce the patient’s quality of life, use of therapeutic modality with localized effect can reduce the risk of systemic toxicity. Thus, the present manuscript reviews the potential use of scaffold-mediated local chemotherapy in oncology. Its localized effect would prevent systemic toxicity, while the scaffold serves as an ideal vehicle for the sustained targeted delivery of therapeutic agents.