Therapeutic Metal Ions: Engineering Biomaterials for Multimodal Disease Treatment

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Coordination Chemistry

Background:

• Metal ions offer catalytic, immunomodulatory, and antimicrobial properties for diverse therapeutic applications.
• Metal-based biomaterials are explored for chemodynamic therapy, tumor immunotherapy, tissue regeneration, and anti-infectives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review metal-based biomaterials and their design strategies.
• To elucidate the mechanisms of metal ions in regulating cell death, immune responses, and tissue regeneration.
• To identify challenges and future directions for clinical translation.

Main Methods:

• Review of metal-based biomaterials (MOFs, nanoparticles, etc.) and design strategies (multi-metal synergy, 3D printing).
• Analysis of coordination chemistry, electron transfer, and signaling pathway interference.
• Assessment of current research landscape, focusing on in vitro vs. in vivo studies.

Main Results:

• Metal-based biomaterials demonstrate broad therapeutic potential but face significant translational hurdles.
• Most research (85%) is preclinical, with limited in vivo data and no human clinical studies.
• Challenges include narrow therapeutic windows, toxicity, poorly understood in vivo behavior, and manufacturing inconsistencies.

Conclusions:

• Metal-based biomaterials hold significant therapeutic potential for antitumor, anti-infective, and tissue repair applications.
• Clinical translation is in its early stages, requiring further investigation and optimization.
• Future research must prioritize systematic in vivo validation and material design optimization for clinical progression.