New Perspectives on Combination Strategies Using Polymeric Scaffolds and Controlled Drug Delivery for Osteochondral Regeneration
Musculoskeletal conditions have been recognised by European health systems as a significant healthcare challenge for the current decade, due to their high prevalence and the substantial economic and social burden they impose. Among these, articular cartilage degeneration, caused by trauma, ageing, o...
| Autores: | , , , |
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| Formato: | otro |
| Estado: | Versión aceptada para publicación |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2026 |
| País: | España |
| Recursos: | Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) |
| Repositorio: | DIGITAL.CSIC. Repositorio Institucional del CSIC |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:dnet:digitalcsic_::7548e2702874130ee760ea2c8456ee30 |
| Acesso em linha: | http://hdl.handle.net/10261/429730 |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palavra-chave: | Biomimetic scaffolds Hydrogels Osteochondral regeneration Cartilage Drug delivery |
| Resumo: | Musculoskeletal conditions have been recognised by European health systems as a significant healthcare challenge for the current decade, due to their high prevalence and the substantial economic and social burden they impose. Among these, articular cartilage degeneration, caused by trauma, ageing, or inflammatory diseases such as osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis, results in the progressive destruction of the cartilage and subchondral bone at the osteochondral interface. These conditions are a leading cause of disability, particularly in the elderly, and require innovative, multidisciplinary therapeutic strategies. Current clinical approaches for treating OA cartilage focus on symptom management through disease-modifying agents and, in advanced cases, joint replacement surgery. However, the limited intrinsic regenerative capacity of cartilage underscores the urgent need for alternative therapies. Tissue engineering presents a promising approach by combining advanced biomaterials, bioactive molecules, and cell-based strategies to stimulate in situ repair and restore joint function. Recent advances in polymer science and biofabrication technologies, such as electrospinning, cryogelation, and 3D bioprinting, have enabled the development of structurally and functionally tailored scaffolds. These systems aim to replicate the complex zonal architecture and mechanical properties of the osteochondral unit. Moreover, the integration of controlled and smart drug delivery systems into polymeric scaffolds has demonstrated potential to enhance tissue regeneration by modulating the local inflammatory environment and delivering therapeutic agents with spatial and temporal precision. An updated overview of the most significant progress in polymer scaffolds and drug delivery systems for osteochondral regeneration is provided herein. Emphasis is placed on recent strategies for reproducing the hierarchical structure of the osteochondral interface and on the development of platforms, such as hydrogels and micro- and nanoparticles, for the controlled release of cells and bioactive agents, aiming to address key challenges in the treatment of osteoarthritis and related disorders. Finally, attention is also given to emerging smart delivery systems designed to enhance the spatiotemporal precision of therapeutic release. |
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