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Published on: September 11, 2015
Composite polymer-bioceramic scaffolds with drug delivery capability for bone tissue engineering
Viviana Mouriño1, Juan P Cattalini, Judith A Roether
1University of Buenos Aires, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology , Buenos Aires 956 Junín St, 6th Floor, Buenos Aires CP1113 , Argentina.
Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery
|June 20, 2013
Summary
Next-generation bone tissue engineering (BTE) scaffolds integrate drug delivery for enhanced bone regeneration. Developing complex composite scaffolds with controlled release is key for effective osseointegration and vascularization.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Next-generation scaffolds for bone tissue engineering (BTE) require mechanical support, cell guidance, and sustained delivery of therapeutic agents like growth factors.
- Drug delivery from BTE scaffolds offers a versatile approach to manipulate the cellular environment, promote functional tissue formation, and treat bone diseases or infections.
- Composite scaffolds combining biopolymers and ceramics are crucial for BTE, with material interactions dictating drug release rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- This review summarizes current advancements in 3D composite scaffolds for BTE with integrated controlled drug and growth factor delivery.
- It presents an overview of incorporated drugs and biomolecules, and methods for combining biopolymers and bioceramics in composite drug delivery systems for BTE.
- The review identifies key challenges and unmet needs in developing multifunctional 3D composite scaffolds for BTE.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on 3D composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.
- Analysis of incorporated drugs and biomolecules within these scaffolds.
- Examination of strategies for combining biopolymers and bioceramics for drug delivery applications in BTE.
Main Results:
- Composite scaffolds offer enhanced capabilities for controlled delivery of therapeutic drugs and growth factors in BTE.
- Various drugs and biomolecules have been successfully incorporated into composite scaffolds, demonstrating potential for tailored therapeutic effects.
- Approaches to combine biopolymers and bioceramics have been developed to create effective drug delivery systems for BTE.
Conclusions:
- A major challenge is incorporating complex drug delivery functions for precise release patterns essential for osseointegration, vascularization, and bone regeneration.
- Loading scaffolds with multiple biomolecular agents can create co-delivery systems with distinct, predetermined release profiles.
- Future composite scaffold designs should leverage synergistic degradation of organic and inorganic components, increasing the number of loadable bioactive agents.

