[Cell-based approaches to promote bone regeneration in distraction osteogenesis]

To summarize the recent progress of cell-based approaches for promoting bone regeneration in distraction osteogenesis (DO).

Recent literature concerning enhancement of bone regeneration following DO using cell-based approaches was reviewed and analyzed.

An overview of 4 different cell-based approaches was mainly provided: single cell injection, cell scaffold-based strategies/injectable tissue engineered bone, microtissue technology or cell aggregate technology, and stem cell gene therapy. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Other methods are still in the experimental research except that compound injection of bone marrow mesechymal stem cells and platelet-rich plasma has been applied to clinical practice.

The cell-based approach is a promising strategy in the field of bone regenerative medicine. These approaches have bright future in promoting bone regeneration and reducing the treatment period in DO in the clinical application. However, well-designed preclinical studies are required to establish safe and effective guidelines for cell-based approaches to promoting bone regeneration during DO.