Nanotechnology, 3D-Printing and Regenerative Medicine: Synergistic Technologies for Bone Tissue Reconstructions

Background and Aim: Personalized reconstructive scaffolds used in thetreatment of traumatic, congenital, and maxillofacial skeletal deformitiesor post-tumor resection defects should ideally mimic the structure tobe reconstructed, but also preferentially condition the neighboring environment to activate the regeneration process and/or to eradicateresidual tumor cells in case of tumor resections.Methods: The structural and dimensional requirements may be met byusing additive manufacturing technologies ( 3D printing ). Conditioningof the environment within the scaffold or the neighboring tissue maybe accomplished by controlled release of regeneration-activating agentssuch as growth factors and cytokines, but also anti-tumor agents such aschemotherapeutic or small interfering RNA (siRNA).Results: Nowadays, these environment-affecting agents can be effectivelypackaged in nanoparticles, which can subsequently be incorporatedwithin 3D-printed scaffolds, either or not combined with regenerativecells.Conclusion: Thus, these smart scaffolds can be regarded asindividualized treatment modalities that can be fine-tuned according tothe needs of the defect to be reconstructed. We will discuss the state-ofthe-art, challenges to be met, and future directions.

کلیدواژه ها:

Additive manufacturing ، Bone reconstruction ، Nanotechnology