Bone tissue engineering and drug-eluting implants for enhanced bone regeneration: An update

Bone tissue engineering is an applied field of biomedical sciences which analyzes implantable bone substitutes for critical skeletal defects including geriatric decay and accidental injuries. For several years metallic drug-eluting implants have proven extraordinary prominence in orthopedics and dentistry for controlled drug release. The incorporated chemicals promote osteoconduction and angiogenesis, impeding bacterial infection and modulates host body reaction. Various types of proteins, growth factors, enzymes, anti-inflammatory drugs, non-viral genes (DNAs, RNAs) are nowadays used to treat different musculoskeletal syndromes. The scaffolds can be fabricated with different biomaterials such as biopolymers like collagen, chitosan, bioceramics like hydroxyapatite, nanocapsules, nanofibers, microcapsule, microsphere and also gel and film-based materials like hydrogel, polyelectrolyte films etc. Sustained local delivery of therapeutic agents via functionalized implant material has the potential to address the common intrinsic challenges of systematic drug delivery such as inadequate physiological stability. This mini-review examines advancements in bone tissue engineering, focusing on metallic drug-eluting implants and innovative scaffold materials that support osteogenesis. By integrating localized drug delivery systems, these technologies enhance healing, reduce infection, and improve implant stability for complex bone injuries and degenerative conditions. • Drug-eluting implants boost bone healing and reduce infection risks • Biomaterials enhance scaffold strength and osteoconductive potential • Growth factors and genes aid regeneration in bone-related disorders • Local drug delivery solves stability issues of systemic treatments