Revolutionizing care: Recent innovations and the future of treating implant-induced infections and inflammation

Medical implants are crucial for restoring function and regenerating injured organs and tissues. However, beyond design, material properties and placement, the risk of a foreign body reaction (FBR) upon interaction between the host immune system and the biomaterial, as well as the risk of infection at the implant site significantly influence treatment success. FBR has been confirmed to severely affect the integration of medical implants into the host tissue, often leading to therapy failure. This has led to the engineering of several novel biomaterials to improve the biocompatibility and integration of implants. Despite these advancements, the adhesion and colonization of the pathogens onto implant surfaces poses a detrimental risk, resulting in implant-associated infections which is linked to increased morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, biofilm formation on implants can trigger innate immune responses, thereby increasing the complexity of the environment around the implantable materials. This review aims to: first, explore the latest advances in the development of biomaterials targeted at maximizing implant-tissue integration, while minimizing FBR. Second, delve into the interaction between pathogens and biomaterials, highlighting the challenges of implant infection, and discuss current therapeutic strategies.