Table 1 Intermediate role of extracellular matrix (ECM)

Natural ECM

Collagen

Recapitulation of In-Vivo Microenvironment,

Relevant ECM Composition,

Mimicking Breast Cancer Stiffness,

Patient-Specific Drug Testing

Lack of Complexity,

Stiffness Variability,

ECM Heterogeneity,

Matrix Remodeling Challenges

[13, 60, 61]

Elastin

Elasticity and Resilience,

Biocompatibility and Biodegradability,

No Immunogenicity

Limited Availability,

Remodeling and Degradation,

Influence on Tumor Growth

[26, 62, 63]

Fibronectin

Scaffold for Tissue Development,

Regulator of Cell Signal Transduction,

Modulation of Cell Behavior,

Potential Therapeutic Applications

Altered Cell Behavior,

Potential Disease Implications,

Limited Control of ECM Expression

[31, 32]

Laminin

Biomimetic Nature,

Cell Behavior Regulation,

Maintenance of Epithelial Cohesion

Overexpression in Breast Cancer,

Complexity in Processing,

Spatial Control and Heterogeneity

[20, 64]

Proteoglycans

Improved Biomimicry, Cellular Communication and Interaction, Matrix Turnover

ECM Complexity, Cost

[38, 39]

Synthetic ECM

Synthetic Hydrogels

Recreating Tumor Microenvironment,

Cell-Cell and Cell-Matrix Interactions,

Tissue Structure and Function,

Alternative to Animal Models

Cost, Standardization and Reproducibility,

Limited Availability of Synthetic Hydrogels,

Learning Curve

[44, 45]

Functionalized Peptides

Biomimicry, Cell-Cell and Cell-ECM Interactions, Tumor Microenvironment Modeling, Drug Screening Platforms

Cost,

Lack of Standardization,

Limited Peptide Repertoire

[46, 47]

Synthetic Polymer Scaffolds

Mimicking Tumor Microenvironment, Improved Cell-Cell and Cell-Matrix Interactions, Drug Screening and Therapeutic Efficacy Evaluation, Biocompatibility

Complexity of Fabrication,

Limited Representation of In Vivo Conditions,

Interference with Cellular Signaling

[18, 49]

Synthetic Peptide Epitopes

Mimicking Native Tumor Microenvironment, Regulating Biological Processes, Tunable 3D Models

Cost,

Incomplete Replication of In-Vivo Environment,

Lack of Long-term Stability

[54, 55]