biostudies-literatureAzhakesan AGerman Excellence StrategyMinisterium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst Baden-WürttembergDeutsche Forschungsgemeinschafte2403114https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11912098biostudies-literatureUnknown14(7)Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are invasive solid tumors accounting for high mortality. To improve the clinical outcome, a better understanding of the tumor and its microenvironment (TME) is crucial. Three -dimensional (3D) bioprinting is emerging as a powerful tool for recreating the TME in vitro. To establish long-term HNSCC bioprinted constructs for personalized drug-testing, this proof-of-principle study aims to compare two different innovative tunicate-derived nanocellulose (NC) hydrogels against the widely used semi-synthetic gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA). Cell lines of different tumor origin sites are printed in TEMPO and Carboxy-NC, and GelMA in alginate (GelMAA). Both NC hydrogels show higher bioprintability than GelMAA. Carboxy-NC supported long-term HNSCC survival,Advanced healthcare materials3D Bioprinted Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) Model Using Tunicate Derived Nanocellulose (NC) Bioink.PMC11912098BW6_07RTG 215433‐7533‐6‐1522 / 10/433-7533-6-1522 / 10/42082/1-390761711 (3D Matter Made to Order)Kern JRotter NSelhuber-Unkel CAzhakesan AMishra AGatenholm PBieback KAffolter Afalse3D Bioprinted Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) Model Using Tunicate Derived Nanocellulose (NC) Bioink.Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are invasive solid tumors accounting for high mortality. To improve the clinical outcome, a better understanding of the tumor and its microenvironment (TME) is crucial. Three -dimensional (3D) bioprinting is emerging as a powerful tool for recreating the TME in vitro. To establish long-term HNSCC bioprinted constructs for personalized drug-testing, this proof-of-principle study aims to compare two different innovative tunicate-derived nanocellulose (NC) hydrogels against the widely used semi-synthetic gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA). Cell lines of different tumor origin sites are printed in TEMPO and Carboxy-NC, and GelMA in alginate (GelMAA). Both NC hydrogels show higher bioprintability than GelMAA. Carboxy-NC supported long-term HNSCC survival,2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Mar2025-04-05T12:39:09.028Z2025-04-05T12:39:09.028ZS-EPMC119120983980121610.1002/adhm.202403114