Biomaterials for Cranio-Maxillofacial Bone Repair: The Need for a Better Validation Process
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Author
Date
2024Type
- Doctoral Thesis
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Abstract
Large bone defects in the cranio-maxillofacial (CMF) region resulting from tumour resection, infection or trauma pose significant challenges as they cannot regenerate naturally and require complex clinical interventions. Current treatments include the implantation of autologous bone grafting (ABG) or a collagen sponge combined with recombinant human bone morphogenic protein 2 (rhBMP-2). However, ABG is associated with donor site morbidities, limited availability, and inadequate restoration of aesthetic facial geometries. Furthermore, the use of rhBMP-2 has been shown to cause ectopic bone formation and increase the risk of cancer. Consequently, patients continue to suffer due to these drawbacks, highlighting the urgent need for alternative options. Bone tissue engineering (BTE) has emerged as a promising strategy to develop alternative bone graft substitutes (BGSs). Their easy fabrication process provides precise architecture and geometry, and allows for the incorporation of regenerative cells and factors. Properties including mechanical stability, biodegradability, biocompatibility, and osteogenic properties are necessary to successfully achieve the repair of large bone defects in the CMF region. Once a BGS prototype is developed, it is crucial to validate its safety and efficacy before clinical translation can be considered. In this thesis, several BGSs were developed and assessed through established evaluation methods including in vitro osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hBM-MSCs) or in vivo subcutaneous implantation in mice and calvarial implantation in rabbits. However, the limitations of the validation protocols highlighted in this thesis calls for a better validation process that can offer a more robust insight into the osteogenic potency of the BGS. Show more
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https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000666404Publication status
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Publisher
ETH ZurichSubject
Biomaterials; Bone repair; Progenitor cells; Osteogenesis; BiofabricationOrganisational unit
03949 - Zenobi-Wong, Marcy / Zenobi-Wong, Marcy
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ETH Bibliography
yes
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