Regenerative strategies for intervertebral disc degeneration

Several human studies show positive signals, while research methods and sample sizes continue to develop.

• 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)

Low back pain (LBP) is a global health problem, primarily caused by intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. Current treatments focus on symptom relief without addressing the underlying degenerative mechanisms. Regenerative strategies have emerged as promising therapies through the use of functional biomaterials and stem cells capable of modulating key signalling pathways to promote tissue regeneration. However, challenges such as efficient delivery systems, long-term survival of transplanted cells, and hostile disc microenvironment remain. This review focuses on recent advances in regenerative approaches using biomaterials, cells, and therapeutic agents of exosomes, and genes to restore IVD structure and function. We discuss the current understanding of IVD anatomy, physiology and degeneration pathophysiology followed by current treatments. We highlight the rationale for regenerative therapy in halting the degenerative hallmarks tailored to mild, moderate to severe IVD degeneration. Our review emphasizes on the functional biomaterials designed for advanced delivery system, therapeutic intervention and IVD tissue engineering. We discuss the cell-based therapy, highlighting various cell sources, therapeutic effects, clinical trials and its obstacles. We discuss the use of therapeutic agents such as the genes and exosome therapies in IVD regeneration. The clinical translational po

Evidence level

Several human studies show positive signals, while research methods and sample sizes continue to develop.

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