Advanced Bioactive Polymers and Materials for Nerve Repair: Strategies and Mechanistic Insights

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Bioactive materials have recently shown potential in nerve repair and regeneration by promoting the growth of new cells, tissue repair, and restoring nerve function. These natural, synthetic, and hybrid materials offer a biomimetic structure, enhance cell attachment, and release bioactive molecules that promote the axonal extension of severed nerves. Scaffold-based preclinical studies have shown promising results on enhancing nerve repair; however, they are limited by the immune response and fabrication, scalability, and cost. Nevertheless, advances in manufacturing, including 3D bioprinting, and other strategies, such as gene editing by CRISPR, will overcome these shortcomings. The opportunity for the development of individualized approaches and specific treatment plans for each patient will also increase the effectiveness of bioactive materials for the treatment of nerve injuries. Combining bioactive materials with the neural interface can develop new reliable therapeutic solutions, particularly for neuroprosthetics. Finally, it is essential to stress a multidisciplinary focus, and future studies are needed to enhance the potential of bioactive materials for patients with nerve injuries and the field of regenerative medicine.

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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