Progress and challenges of tantalum-containing biomaterials in regenerative medicine applications

Tissue regeneration is a significant medical challenge in repairing damaged tissues and organs, driving the need for novel biomaterials with both excellent bioactivity and mechanical properties. Tantalum (Ta) is a promising biomedical metal due to its mechanical stability, biocompatibility, and biological functions. However, the high density, cost, and processing difficulty of pure Ta limit its direct application. Consequently, research strategies have shifted to constructing a new generation of Ta-containing biomaterials by compositing Ta with other materials to retain its biological advantages while optimizing overall performance. Despite these advances, a comprehensive review systematically linking the fundamental properties of Ta with diverse material strategies and their clinical applications is still missing. To address this gap, the primary objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive framework that bridges Ta's material science with its clinical application strategies. Accordingly, we systematically examine Ta's properties, regeneration mechanisms, and the applications of four types of Ta-containing materials in hard and soft tissue regeneration, followed by an analysis of current challenges and future directions. This work represents the first comprehensive integration from basic properties to clinical applications, providing a systematic overview and a solid theoretical foundation for optimizing design, accelerating translation, and advancing regenerative medicine.