Mechanism-Inspired Biomaterials and Regenerative Therapies for Radiation-Induced Skin Injury

Radiation-induced skin injury (RISI) represents the most common complication of cancer radiotherapy, severely impairing patient health and treatment adherence. Conventional therapies show limited benefits due to the complex pathological mechanisms of RISI, creating an urgent demand for more effective approaches. Emerging biomaterials and regenerative therapies offer new opportunities for intervention. This review first outlines the key mechanisms of RISI and then highlights the mechanism-driven biomaterial design, with particular focus on the rational selection of active ingredients and advanced delivery systems. We also examine regenerative therapies such as stem cell therapy and mitochondrial transplantation, emphasizing their potential to restore function at cellular or organelle levels. Finally, the major challenges and future directions of these therapeutic strategies in RISI treatment are discussed.