Due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, injectability, and self-setting properties, calcium–magnesium phosphate cements (MCPCs) have proven to be effective biomaterials for bone defect filling. Two types of MCPC powders based on the magnesium whitlockite or stanfieldite phases with MgO with different magnesium contents (20 and 60%) were synthesised. The effects of magnesium ions (Mg2+) on functional properties such as setting time, temperature, mechanical strength, injectability, cohesion, and in vitro degradation kinetics, as well as cytocompatibility in the MG-63 cell line and the osteogenic differentiation of BM hMSCs in vitro, were analysed. The introduction of NaHA into the cement liquid results in an increase in injectability of up to 83%, provides a compressive strength of up to 22 MPa, and shows a reasonable setting time of about 20 min without an exothermic reaction. These cements had the ability to support MG-63 cell adhesion, proliferation, and spread and the osteogenic differentiation of BM hMSCs in vitro, stimulating ALPL, SP7, and RUNX2 gene expression and ALPL production. The combination of the studied physicochemical and biological properties of the developed cement compositions characterises them as bioactive, cytocompatible, and promising biomaterials for bone defect reconstruction.

Space exploration is perhaps one of the most difficult tasks ever undertaken since the emergence of humankind. The International Space Station is a unique platform for advanced technology research that is not possible anywhere else. Tissue engineering in outer space, where state of the gravity can be ‘turned off’ or ‘turned on’ in the case of application of centrifuges, is a new research field with high-value goals. The microgravity conditions allow to design novel biomaterials that cannot be produced on Earth but benefit the Earth civilisation. Developing and manufacturing a biomaterial to address a space-based challenge may lead to novel biomaterials that will find important applications in medicine on Earth and/or for long-duration space missions. Today, there are only a handful of emerging biomaterials that have been tested in space, none of which have been used for their eventual function. This paper presents advances in space technology via 3D magnetic assembly: the development of synthetic bone graft constructs aboard the International Space Station during expeditions 60/61 with clear evidence of the materials' functioning in preclinical (animal) tests on Earth. The results indicate high osteoconductivity and ultimately a good rate of tissue formation by the bone grafts prepared in space.

Optical coherent tomography (OCT) is a high-resolution method for visualizing the internal structure of the examined tissue, which has found its application in biomedical optics. The intraoperative diagnosis of brain tumors is still one of the most challenging problem of modern neurosurgery. In our study, aimed at the application of OCT for the diagnosis of human brain glioma of different grades and rat glioma models, we obtained OCT signals for ex vivo brain samples. We proposed two methods of OCT image analysis based on extraction and comparison of the attenuation coefficient and local brightness fluctuations in OCT speckle patterns for different brain tissue types. The results confirmed the perspectives of combined attenuation-speckle signal analysis for neurosurgical purposes.

Compared to the concept of biobanks, which include one type of biomaterials from patients or a library of DNA samples, new types of biobanks shouldn’t be only repositories, but also infrastructure, which allows for innovative and translational research using biomaterials from patients. Also, parallel biobanking, including the simultaneous collection of various types of biomaterials (whole blood, plasma, exosomes, DNA, microRNA, leukocytes, tumor cells and their microenvironment - frozen with preservation of their viability, etc.) will allow them to be used in in-vitro models to test the effects of drugs, as well as to predict the development of treatment-resistant populations of cancer cells and cellular transformation. This biobanking approach opens new opportunities to study precancerous niches, rare forms of cancer and to develop personalized therapeutic strategies, giving researchers new opportunities for in vitro recapitulation of tissue mechanical and molecular changes, changes of signaling molecules profile and secretome. По сравнению с традиционным представлением о биобанках, включающих в себя один тип заготовляемых биоматериалов пациентов или коллекцию образцов ДНК, биобанки нового типа должны представлять собой не только репозитории, но и инфраструктуру, которая позволит проводить трансляционные и поисковые исследования с использованием биоматериалов от пациентов. Также, паралельное биобанкирование, включающее одновременный забор различных типов биоматериалов (цельная кровь, плазма, экзосомы, ДНК, микроРНК, лейкоциты, замороженные с сохранением своей жизнеспособности клетки опухолей и их микроокружения и т.д.) позволит использовать их в in vitro моделях для проверки действия лекарственных препаратов, а также для прогнозирования развития резистентных к лечению популяций раковых клеток и клеточной трансформации. Такой подход к биобанкированию открывает новые возможности для изучения предраковых ниш, редких форм рака и разработки персонализированных стратегий лечения, также обеспечивая возможность воспроизведения in vitro механической и молекулярной перестройки тканей, изменение профиля сигнальных молекул и секретома клеток.

Purpose: The study explores the possibility of manufacturing radiation sources for personalized brachytherapy using titanium alloys, activated in a neutron flux reactor, by measuring the radiation composition of applicator implants and their dosimetric characteristics. Material and methods: A 3D implant of a brachytherapy source was made from a titanium alloy using an additive selective laser melting setup. The titanium 3D prototype was irradiated for three days in the horizontal experimental channel of the IR-8 reactor. Subsequently, measurements of the gamma-ray spectrum from the irradiated implant were carried out on a spectrometer, and dose characteristics of the 3D implant were measured using a dosimeter-radiometer. Results: In the experimental 3D implant obtained by us, the radionuclide 47Sc exhibits the highest activity. Currently, 47Sc is considered a promising candidate for brachytherapy. It possesses attractive nuclear and physical properties as a β-emitter, decaying into the ground state (27 %) of 47Ti (Eβmax = 600 keV) and the excited state of 47Ti (Eβmax = 439 keV) with a half-life of 3.4 days. Additionally, 47Sc emits γ-radiation at an energy of 159 keV (68 %), which is suitable for imaging, allowing for SPECT or planar scintigraphy and obtaining a picture of the drug’s distribution in the body. In the experimental implant, small amounts of scandium radionuclides – 46Sc and 48Sc, were also detected, emitting sufficiently hard gamma radiation, which can pose a problem for patient dosage determination. The advantages of using titanium-47 with an enrichment of over 95 %, economically available, have been demonstrated, allowing for high radiochemical yields of 47Sc, sufficient for therapy. Conclusion: The 3D printing technology allows the production of a customized applicator for brachytherapy of specific dimensions and the delivery of arbitrarily-shaped sources to the tumor area for personalized therapy of oncological diseases. When implanting sources based on titanium alloys activated in a neutron flux of a research nuclear reactor, the radionuclide scandium-47 exhibits the highest activity.

Diabetes presents a pressing healthcare crisis, necessitating innovative solutions. Organoid technologies have rapidly advanced, leading to the emergence of bioengineering islet organoids as an unlimited source of insulin-producing cells for treating insulin-dependent diabetes. This advancement surpasses the need for cadaveric islet transplantation. However, clinical translation of this approach faces two major limitations: immature endocrine function and the absence of a perfusable vasculature compared to primary human islets. In this review, we summarize the latest developments in bioengineering functional islet organoids in vitro and promoting vascularization of organoid grafts before and after transplantation. We highlight the crucial roles of the vasculature in ensuring long-term survival, maturation, and functionality of islet organoids. Additionally, we discuss key considerations that must be addressed before clinical translation of islet organoid-based therapy, including functional immaturity, undesired heterogeneity, and potential tumorigenic risks.

The reconstruction of posterior lamellar eyelid defects remains a significant challenge in clinical practice due to anatomical complexity, specialized function, and aesthetic concerns. The ideal substitute for the posterior lamellar should replicate the native tarsoconjunctival tissue, providing both mechanical support for the eyelids and a smooth surface for the globe after implantation. In this study, we present an innovative approach utilizing tissue-engineered cartilage (TEC) grafts generated from rabbit auricular chondrocytes and a commercialized type I collagen sponge to reconstruct critical-sized posterior lamellar defects in rabbits. The TEC grafts demonstrated remarkable mechanical strength and maintained a stable cartilaginous phenotype both in vitro and at 6 months post-implantation in immunodeficient mice. When employed as autografts to reconstruct tarsal plate defects in rabbits’ upper eyelids, these TEC grafts successfully restored normal eyelid morphology, facilitated smooth eyelid movement, and preserved the histological structure of the conjunctival epithelium. When applied in bilayered tarsoconjunctival defect reconstruction, these TEC grafts not only maintained the normal contour of the upper eyelid but also supported conjunctival epithelial cell migration and growth from the defect margin towards the centre. These findings highlight that auricular chondrocyte-based TEC grafts hold great promise as potential candidates for clinical posterior lamellar reconstruction.Statement of significanceThe complex structure and function of the posterior lamellar eyelid continue to be significant challenges for clinical reconstructive surgeries. In this study, we utilized autologous auricular chondrocyte-based TEC grafts for posterior lamellar eyelid reconstruction in a preclinical rabbit model. The TEC grafts exhibited native cartilaginous histomorphology and comparable mechanical strength to those of the native human tarsal plate. In rabbit models with either tarsal plate defects alone or bilayered tarsoconjunctival defects, TEC grafts successfully restored the normal eyelid contour and movement, as well as supported preservation and growth of conjunctival epithelium. This is the first study to demonstrate autologous TEC grafts can be employed for repairing tarsal plate defects, thereby offering an alternative therapeutic approach for treating posterior lamellar defects in clinic settings.

Background. Mine blast, shrapnel, and gunshot wounds of the craniofacial region are the most difficult to reconstruct, which is due to both the complex anatomical structure and the need to restore functional abilities. The multifocal nature of the injury requires careful alignment and fixation of the fragments or replacement of whole bone fragments bearing functional and aesthetic significance. The optimal solution to this problem is the use of customized titanium implants created with additive manufacturing methods based on CT and MRI data. The aim of the study was to use customized titanium implants in patients with combat injuries of the maxillofacial region. Clinical observations are presented by the cases of male patients E., 39 years old, and G., 40 years old, who were injured as a result of a combined traumatic factor. Conclusion. Active introduction of 3D modeling and additive technologies into routine medical practice can reduce the duration of surgical intervention, minimize possible complications, increase the effectiveness of treatment and reduce the rehabilitation time for patients at all stages. Введение. Минно-взрывные, осколочные и пулевые ранения черепно-лицевой области являются наи- более сложными для реконструкции, что обусловлено как сложным анатомическим строением, так и необходимостью восстановления функциональных нарушений. Многооскольчатый характер травмы требует тщательного сопоставления и фиксации отломков, либо замещения целых костных фрагментов, несущих функциональную и эстетическую нагрузку. Наиболее оптимальным решением данной проблемы является использование индивидуальных титановых имплантатов, созданных методами аддитивного производства на основе данных компьютерной и магнитно-резонансной томографии. Целью работы явилось использование индивидуальных титановых имплантатов для пациентов с высокоэнергетическими травмами челюстно-лицевой области. Клинические наблюдения представлены случаями из практики лечения пациентов Е. 39 лет и Г. 40 лет, получивших ранение в результате комбинированного воздействия травмирующего фактора. Заключение. Активное внедрение в рутинную медицинскую практику 3D-моделирования и аддитивных технологий позволит сократить длительность оперативного вмешательства, минимизировать возможные осложнения, повысить эффективность лечения и сократить сроки реабилитации пациентов на всех этапах.

Application of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in neurosurgery mostly includes the discrimination between intact and malignant tissues aimed at the detection of brain tumor margins. For particular tissue types, the existing approaches demonstrate low performance, which stimulates the further research for their improvement. The analysis of speckle patterns of brain OCT images is proposed to be taken into account for the discrimination between human brain glioma tissue and intact cortex and white matter. The speckle properties provide additional information of tissue structure, which could help to increase the efficiency of tissue differentiation. The wavelet analysis of OCT speckle patterns was applied to extract the power of local brightness fluctuations in speckle and its standard deviation. The speckle properties are analysed together with attenuation ones using a set of ex vivo brain tissue samples, including glioma of different grades. Various combinations of these features are considered to perform linear discriminant analysis for tissue differentiation. The results reveal that it is reasonable to include the local brightness fluctuations at first two wavelet decomposition levels in the analysis of OCT brain images aimed at neurosurgical diagnosis.

This paper presents a technology for creating customized porous titanium implants with bioactive coatings, manufactured using additive technologies. The stages of creating an implant include obtaining primary data from the bone defect area using computed tomography; 3D modeling of the defect area and the corresponding implant; production of a customized implant from titanium alloys using selective laser fusion technology; application of bioactive coatings. The as-created customized implant can have several functional structures. Samples of titanium implants with bioactive coatings were subjected to extensive testing. Mathematical modeling and experiments were used to verify the correspondence of the mechanical properties of the developed structures to natural bone tissue. In vitro tests of the studied samples showed the absence of acute toxicity along with high levels of biocompatibility. In vivo tests of the studied samples on Soviet chinchilla rabbits and Anubis baboon monkeys approved by local ethical committees showed their adequate biomechanical and high osteoinductive properties. The successful results of preclinical studies, as well as toxicological and technical tests in certified laboratories, made it possible to create a registration dossier for state registration of customized porous titanium implants with bioactive coatings, manufactured using additive technologies.

Bones are the fourth most frequent site of metastasis from malignant tumors, including breast cancer, prostate cancer, melanoma, etc. The bioavailability of bone tissue for chemotherapy drugs is extremely low. This requires a search for new approaches of targeted drug delivery to the tumor growth zone after surgery treatment. The aim of this work was to develop a method for octacalcium phosphate (OCP) bone graft functionalization with the cytostatic drug cisplatin to provide the local release of its therapeutic concentrations into the bone defect. OCP porous ceramic granules (OCP ceramics) were used as a platform for functionalization, and bisphosphonate zoledronic acid was used to mediate the interaction between cisplatin and OCP and enhance their binding strength. The obtained OCP materials were studied using scanning electron and light microscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography, atomic emission spectroscopy, and real-time PCR. In vitro and in vivo studies were performed on normal and tumor cell lines and small laboratory animals. The bioactivity of initial OCP ceramics was explored and the efficiency of OCP functionalization with cisplatin, zoledronic acid, and their combination was evaluated. The kinetics of drug release and changes in ceramics properties after functionalization were studied. It was established that zoledronic acid changed the physicochemical and bioactive properties of OCP ceramics and prolonged cisplatin release from the ceramics. In vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed the biocompatibility, osteoconductivity, and osteoinductivity, as well as cytostatic and antitumor properties of the obtained materials. The use of OCP ceramics functionalized with a cytostatic via the described method seems to be promising in clinics when primary or metastatic tumors of the bone tissue are removed.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus remains a global public health concern due to the systemic nature of the infection and its long-term consequences, many of which remain to be elucidated. SARS-CoV-2 targets endothelial cells and blood vessels, altering the tissue microenvironment, its secretion, immune-cell subpopulations, the extracellular matrix, and the molecular composition and mechanical properties. The female reproductive system has high regenerative potential, but can accumulate damage, including due to SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19 is profibrotic and can change the tissue microenvironment toward an oncogenic niche. This makes COVID-19 and its consequences one of the potential regulators of a homeostasis shift toward oncopathology and fibrosis in the tissues of the female reproductive system. We are looking at SARS-CoV-2-induced changes at all levels in the female reproductive system.

Magnetic force and gravity are two fundamental forces affecting all living organisms, including bacteria. On Earth, experimentally created magnetic force can be used to counterbalance gravity and place living organisms in conditions of magnetic levitation. Under conditions of microgravity, magnetic force becomes the only force that moves bacteria, providing an acceleration towards areas of the lowest magnetic field and locking cells in this area. In this review, we consider basic principles and experimental systems used to create a magnetic force strong enough to balance gravity. Further, we describe how magnetic levitation is applied in on-Earth microbiological studies. Next, we consider bacterial behavior under combined conditions of microgravity and magnetic force onboard a spacecraft. At last, we discuss restrictions on applications of magnetic force in microbiological studies and the impact of these restrictions on biotechnological applications under space and on-Earth conditions.

COVID-19 pandemic was caused by SARS-CoV-2, a novel virus from the family Coronaviridae, firstly identified in Wuhan, China in 2019. COVID-19 remains one of the main challenges of healthcare, given growing numbers of people with COVID-19 in anamnesis, and given the long-lasting consequences and complications of this disease. Cancer is one of the most common diseases in the world, thus a big part of the population is affected by both COVID-19 and cancer. In this succinct review we refer to several recent works expressing a view that COVID-19 might be oncogenic, and describe molecular mechanisms of such phenomena. Next, we describe several tumorigenic changes in the tissue microenvironment as COVID-19 sequelae, which can potentially affect cancer pathogenesis and response of a tumor to therapy. 3D cell culture models are a “golden standard” of in vitro studies in translational oncology. To the best of our knowledge, 3D cell culture systems to study tumor behavior in the tissue microenvironment affected by COVID-19 have not been developed yet. We propose several actionable steps which can be taken to modify existing 3D cell culture models accordingly, to address the needs of translational oncology in the COVID-19 post-pandemic times.

Giving an additional specific antitumor activity to biomaterials used to provide the local release of medical drugs into the bone defect in oncology, i.e. their functionalization is a promising, sought-after area in the modern biomaterials’ science.

In situ bioprinting is one of the most clinically relevant techniques in the emerging bioprinting technology because it could be performed directly on the human body in the operating room and it does not require bioreactors for post-printing tissue maturation. However, commercial in situ bioprinters are still not available on the market. In this study, we demonstrated the benefit of the originally developed first commercial articulated collaborative in situ bioprinter for the treatment of full-thickness wounds in rat and porcine models. We used an articulated and collaborative robotic arm from company KUKA and developed original printhead and correspondence software enabling in situ bioprinting on curve and moving surfaces. The results of in vitro and in vivo experiments show that in situ bioprinting of bioink induces a strong hydrogel adhesion and enables printing on curved surfaces of wet tissues with a high level of fidelity. The in situ bioprinter was convenient to use in the operating room. Additional in vitro experiments (in vitro collagen contraction assay and in vitro 3D angiogenesis assay) and histological analyses demonstrated that in situ bioprinting improves the quality of wound healing in rat and porcine skin wounds. The absence of interference with the normal process of wound healing and even certain improvement in the dynamics of this process strongly suggests that in situ bioprinting could be used as a novel therapeutic modality in wound healing.

Changes in bacterial physiology caused by the combined action of the magnetic force and microgravity were studied in Escherichia coli grown using a specially developed device aboard the International Space Station. The morphology and metabolism of E. coli grown under spaceflight (SF) or combined spaceflight and magnetic force (SF + MF) conditions were compared with ground cultivated bacteria grown under standard (control) or magnetic force (MF) conditions. SF, SF + MF, and MF conditions provided the up-regulation of Ag43 auto-transporter and cell auto-aggregation. The magnetic force caused visible clustering of non-sedimenting bacteria that formed matrix-containing aggregates under SF + MF and MF conditions. Cell auto-aggregation was accompanied by up-regulation of glyoxylate shunt enzymes and Vitamin B12 transporter BtuB. Under SF and SF + MF but not MF conditions nutrition and oxygen limitations were manifested by the down-regulation of glycolysis and TCA enzymes and the up-regulation of methylglyoxal bypass. Bacteria grown under combined SF + MF conditions demonstrated superior up-regulation of enzymes of the methylglyoxal bypass and down-regulation of glycolysis and TCA enzymes compared to SF conditions, suggesting that the magnetic force strengthened the effects of microgravity on the bacterial metabolism. This strengthening appeared to be due to magnetic force-dependent bacterial clustering within a small volume that reinforced the effects of the microgravity-driven absence of convectional flows.

The creation and use of biobanks is an actively growing field that plays an important role in the development of many branches of biotechnology and biomedicine, including oncology and translational medicine. In this review, based on the analysis of more than 80 Russian and foreign publications, we describe the current state of biobanking and its future perspectives. The diversity of biobanking and the problems arising from it, including the limits of applicability to different types of research, as well as the prospects for development are discussed. The role of biobanks in the study of malignant neoplasms, including rare/orphan diseases, and in the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, personalised medicine and pre-clinical screening studies, are highlighted.

Multimodal sapphire scalpel for intraoperative diagnosis and therapy. The multimodal sapphire scalpel was developed using the edge-defined film-fed growth technique aided by the cutting edge mechanical sharpening. The sapphire properties are combined with the presence of as-grown hollow internal capillary channels for the optical fibers accommodation. Thanks to the features of the sapphire scalpel, multimodal optical diagnosis of tissues with their dissection became available. The attained results justified a strong potential of the sapphire scalpel to become an efficient tool for minimizing the volume of the normal tissue removal around the tumor by detecting the tumor margins.

Biobanking is an actively developing area of biotechnology and biomedicine. Briefly, Biobank is a comprehensively characterised biological material collected and stored by standardized methods and accompanied by detailed corresponding information, potentially available to many users. Modern biobanks are instrumental for development of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, drug development, personalized medicine and many aspects of pre-clinical research. In part, this is because biobanks are not only «places of sample storage», but also places for conducting research using collections of biomedical materials and all associated data, as well as teaching/ learning hubs providing methodology training and guidance with experiment design to biobank’s clients (and here we emphasize the importance of the human resources component of biobanks – researchers and their unique expertise in biobanking, as an integral part of biobank). Biobanking makes possible to perform various “omics” studies, such as genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, lipidomics, metabolomics, microbiomics and other “omics” data, and combine them with data obtained on complex 3D tissue culture models, ex-vivo cultures, “patient-like” organoids and “avatars”, data obtained from medical image biobanks, radiology biobanks, and others. Such studies can be longitudinal, recruit participants from several geographical regions and of different ethnicity, involve big data analysis using artificial intelligence, include both ante mortem and post mortem samples, samples collected at different time points of chemo- and/or radio-therapy, et cetera. This review briefly describes the current state of biobanking and discusses the role of biobanks in the study of malignant neoplasms, with particular focus on the rare or poorly differentiated types of cancer (RPDC) and cancers of unkcnown primary (CUP). Unlike well-described types of cancer with known primary, there are cases of CUP when the primary sites of the appearance of cancer cells are not known, of them up to 25 percent are poorly differentiated, which significantly complicates histological typing of the tumor and selection of adequate therapy. Historically, poorly differentiated cancers have been excluded from many biospecimen collections. Rare cancers are malignant neoplasms with very low incidence, but despite low incidence they account to approximately 25 percent of all diagnosed cancers. There is a plethora of rare cancer types among Head and Neck cancers (HNC). In case of rare cancers, paucity of samples and sample-associated data, as well as slow accrual of the samples (so called “sample bottlenecks”) create significant drawbacks for translational oncologists. As a result, there are still significant inequalities in healthcare in case of RPDC/CUPs compared to common cancers, such as diagnosis uncertainty, limited therapies, drawbacks in the identification of novel therapeutic targets, and finally difficulties in conducting pre-clinical research and clinical trials, resulting in a survival gap between common cancers and RPDCs. Therefore, addressing these challenges is of utmost importance. Noteworthy, although rare subgroups of common cancers are not classified as rare cancers, patients belonging to such subgroups might face challenges similar to those affected by the rare cancers. Creating Rare and Poorly Differentiated Cancer Biobanks (RPDCB) and merging single biobanks into big consortia, as well as long-term sample collection in RPDCB, creates unique opportunity to use biobanking to study such diseases and can significantly facilitate research on their etiology and pathogenesis, drug development and therapy development, including personalized, targeted, and per-emptive therapies. In conclusion, there is an unmet need for creation of RPDCBs which should be addressed. Conflicts of interest. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. Биобанкирование – это активно развивающаяся область биотехнологии и биомедицины. Вкратце, биобанк – это всесторонне охарактеризованный биологический материал, собранный и сохраненный стандартизиро- ванными методами и сопровождаемый подробной соответствующей информацией, потенциально доступной многим пользователям. Современные биобанки играют важную роль в разработке новых диагностических и терапевтических подходов, разработке лекарственных препаратов, персонализированной медицине и многих аспектах доклинических исследований. Отчасти это объясняется тем, что биобанки – это не только “места хранения образцов”, но и места для проведения исследований с использованием коллекций биомедицинских материалов и всех связанных с ними данных, а также центры преподавания/обучения, предоставляющие клиентам биобанка методическую подготовку и руководство по разработке экспериментов (и здесь мы под- черкиваем важность кадрового компонента биобанков – исследователей и их уникального опыта в области биобанкирования, как неотъемлемой части биобанка). Биобанкирование позволяет проводить различные “омические” исследования, такие как геномика, эпигеномика, транскриптомика, протеомика, липидомика, метаболомика, микробиомика и другие “омические” данные, и объединять их с данными, полученными на сложных 3D моделях культур тканей, культурах ex-vivo, “пациентоподобных” органоидах и “аватарах”, данных, полученных из биобанков медицинских изображений, радиологических биобанков и др. Такие исследования могут быть продолжительными по времени, набирать участников из нескольких географических регионов и разной этнической принадлежности, включать анализ больших данных с использованием искусственного интеллекта, включать как прижизненные, так и посмертные образцы, образцы, собранные в разные вре- менные точки химио- и/или радиотерапии, и т.д. В данном обзоре кратко описывается современное состояние биобанков и обсуждается роль биобанков в изучении злокачественных новообразований, особое внимание уделяется редким или плохо дифферен- цированным типам рака (РПДР) и раку с неизвестным первичным очагом (РНПО). В отличие от хорошо описанных типов рака с известной первичностью, при РНПО встречаются случаи, когда первичные очаги появления раковых клеток неизвестны, из них до 25 процентов являются низкодифференцированными, что значительно затрудняет гистологическую типизацию опухоли и подбор адекватной терапии. Исторически сложилось так, что плохо дифференцированные раковые опухоли исключались из многих коллекций биоо- бразцов. Редкие виды рака – это злокачественные новообразования с очень низкой частотой встречаемо- сти, но, несмотря на низкую частоту, они составляют около 25 процентов от всех диагностированных видов рака. Среди рака головы и шеи (РГШ) существует множество редких видов рака. В случае редких видов рака нехватка образцов и данных, связанных с образцами, а также медленное накопление образцов (так называемые “узкие места”) создают значительные трудности для трансляционных онкологов. В результате в здравоохранении все еще существуют значительные неравенства в случае РПДР/РНПО по сравнению с обычными раками, такие как неопределенность диагноза, ограниченность методов лечения, недостатки в определении новых терапевтических мишеней, и, наконец, трудности в проведении доклинических исследований и клинических испытаний, что приводит к разнице в выживаемости между обычными раками и РПДР. Поэтому решение этих проблем имеет первостепенное значение. Примечательно, что хотя редкие подгруппы распространенных видов рака не классифицируются как редкие раки, пациенты, принадлежащие к таким подгруппам, могут сталкиваться с проблемами, аналогичными тем, которые возникают при редких видах рака. Создание биобанков редких и плохо дифференцированных раков (РПДРБ) и объединение отдельных биобанков в крупные консорциумы, а также долгосрочный сбор образцов в РПДРБ создает уникальную возможность использования биобанков для изучения таких заболеваний и может значительно облегчить исследования их этиологии и патогенеза, разработку лекарств и терапии, включая персонализированные, целевые и упреждающие методы лечения. В заключение следует отметить, что существует неудовлетво- ренная потребность в создании РПДРБ, которую необходимо удовлетворить. Конфликты интересов. У авторов нет конфликтов интересов, о которых они могли бы заявить. Благодарности. Данное исследование стало возможным благодаря поддержке Ресурсного центра При- кладной Генетики МФТИ (грант поддержки 075-15-2021-684).