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Advanced Biomaterial-Based Systems for Drug Delivery and Regenerative Medicine

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Dear Colleagues,

Regenerative medicine is moving fast, going beyond traditional therapies thanks to advanced drug delivery systems and innovative biomaterials. By combining these fields, we can design, deliver, and control bioactive agents in ways that truly support tissue repair and restore function. Smart hydrogels, nanocomposites, and bioengineered scaffolds are being developed to interact naturally with the body, releasing drugs, growth factors, genes, or cells at the right place and time. At the same time, new delivery strategies—such as stimuli-responsive systems, micro- and nanoscale carriers, and 3D-printed constructs—are helping treatments work better while reducing side effects. These approaches offer exciting opportunities not only to repair damaged tissue but also to prevent disease progression and improve long-term outcomes.

This Special Issue invites original research, reviews, and perspectives exploring how smart delivery technologies and biomaterials can work together to speed up regeneration in different tissues and organs. We especially welcome contributions that show real-world potential, address clinical challenges, or combine multiple therapeutic strategies.

Dr. Laura Di Muzio
Dr. Debora Santonocito
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33 pages, 2758 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Graphene-Based 3D Scaffolds in Bone Regeneration: Emerging Opportunities for MRONJ Treatment

by Claudio Catalano, Giulia Gerini, Gian Marco Podda, Valentina Palmieri, Massimiliano Papi, Giordano Perini, Antonio Minopoli, Marco De Spirito, Gianluca Tenore, Simona Ceccarelli, Guido Caldarelli and Umberto Romeo

Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(3), 335; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18030335 - 8 Mar 2026

Viewed by 416

Abstract

Background: Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) remains a challenging complication associated with antiresorptive and antiangiogenic therapies, characterized by impaired bone healing, infection, and compromised vascularization. Advanced biomaterials capable of promoting bone regeneration and modulating the local microenvironment are being investigated as potential therapeutic strategies. Graphene-based biomaterials have recently emerged as promising candidates due to their unique physicochemical properties and multifunctional biological effects. Objective: This systematic review aimed to analyze and synthesize current evidence on graphene-based 3D scaffolds and related graphene-based biomaterials for bone regeneration, with particular attention to their potential relevance in MRONJ treatment and prevention. Data Sources: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed and Scopus databases, complemented by manual screening of reference lists from relevant publications. Eligibility Criteria: Studies investigating graphene-based scaffolds, composites, or graphene-derived biomaterials for bone regeneration were considered. Experimental in vitro and in vivo studies, as well as translational studies addressing osteogenesis, angiogenesis, antimicrobial activity, immunomodulation, or drug-delivery properties relevant to bone healing and MRONJ, were included. Editorials, conference abstracts, and non-English publications were excluded. Methods: Titles and abstracts were independently screened by the authors, followed by full-text assessment for eligibility. Data regarding scaffold composition, graphene derivatives, biological mechanisms, and regenerative outcomes were qualitatively synthesized due to heterogeneity in study designs and outcome measures. Results: The identified literature highlights the multifaceted role of graphene-based biomaterials in bone regeneration. Graphene and its derivatives enhance osteogenic differentiation, promote angiogenesis, modulate immune responses, and exhibit intrinsic antimicrobial properties. In addition, graphene-based scaffolds provide versatile platforms for drug delivery and photothermal or photodynamic therapeutic strategies. These multifunctional properties may address key pathophysiological mechanisms involved in MRONJ, including impaired bone remodeling, infection control, and tissue regeneration. Limitations: The available evidence is predominantly derived from preclinical studies, with limited direct investigation in MRONJ-specific models and considerable heterogeneity in scaffold design and experimental methodologies. Conclusions: Graphene-based 3D scaffolds represent a promising and versatile platform for bone regenerative strategies potentially applicable to MRONJ management. Further translational research and well-designed preclinical and clinical studies are required to clarify their safety, efficacy, and therapeutic applicability. Registration: This review was conducted according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The review protocol was not registered. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Biomaterial-Based Systems for Drug Delivery and Regenerative Medicine)

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