Revolutionary Breakthroughs in Wound Healing Advancements
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By Eden Djanashvili, Deeptech Expert
What is going on?
Our skin plays a vital role in protecting us from infections and injuries. Large and chronic wounds are especially difficult to treat and can lead to disabilities and even death. When the skin gets damaged (accidents, burns or diseases) it poses significant challenges to healthcare systems globally. Managing these wounds is costly and complex, with traditional treatments having limitations.
What does it mean?
When it comes to chronic wounds, burns, and injuries, they need special care. Normal treatments often aren't enough, relying on the body's natural healing process. In recent years, researchers and doctors have been exploring innovative ways to heal wounds better including advanced technologies like nanotherapeutics, 3D bioprinting and stem cell therapy. These methods aim not only to heal wounds but also restore the skin's normal function without scarring.
Why does it matter?
💸For markets:
According to the Markets and Markets report, the wound care market is projected to have a revenue value of $21.5 billion in 2023 and is expected to increase to $28.6 billion by 2028. This growth represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9% from 2023 to 2028. The market is expanding because regenerative medicine is being used more in wound management, there are new advancements in wound care products, and there are promising opportunities for growth in emerging countries.
Treating chronic wounds is hard because they're complicated and can lead to many problems. Regular treatments like antibiotics sometimes don't work well. Newer methods, like nanotherapeutics, stem cell therapy, and phototherapy, can offer valuable solutions. In the coming years, there are seven innovative approaches worth considering for intelligent business and investment opportunities in the wound healing sector:
📌Strategies relying on nanotherapeutics: Nanotherapeutics involve using tiny particles loaded with various healing agents directly at the wound site. These particles, ranging from 10 to 100 nm, have special properties allowing them to enter cells, maintain a moist environment, and remain stable. They improve drug delivery, ensuring optimal concentrations over time, enhancing effectiveness, and reducing the frequency of drug administration. Nanotherapeutics have advantages such as improved drug half-life, better penetration into bacterial biofilms and tissues, and increased drug concentration at infection sites. There are two main types of nanomaterials: organic ones like nanoparticles, nanogels, and liposomes, and inorganic ones such as metal nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes. However, challenges like skin irritation and understanding diverse wound types still need addressing. 3D bioprinting, a cutting-edge technology, allows precise printing of skin layers directly onto wounds, but obtaining cells for this process quickly remains a challenge, especially for severe burns.
🧬Approaches utilising stem cell therapies: In recent years, a new field called regenerative medicine has emerged, offering innovative ways to heal wounds and restore normal skin. Stem cells, especially mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), are a significant focus in this area due to their ability to renew and transform into various cell types. MSCs help in wound healing by releasing helpful substances and stimulating cell activities. Various sources, like bone marrow and adipose tissue, provide these MSCs. They've been used in clinical trials, showing promising results in healing chronic wounds. However, challenges remain, such as ensuring their survival in the body after transplantation. Scientists are exploring different methods, including genetic modifications, scaffold-based therapies, and combining MSCs with growth factors to enhance their effectiveness. There are also promising studies involving induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which can differentiate into various skin components. iPSCs can differentiate into various skin components, aiding in healing, but there are safety concerns that need further exploration.
🖨️Strategies utilising 3D Bioprinting: In the last 20 years, traditional methods for healing large wounds were slow and not always successful. Now, 3D bioprinting is a fast way to create artificial skin for healing wounds. It uses living cells, materials, and growth factors to build skin layer by layer. This technology is automated, quick, and can use different cells for better healing. There are various bioprinting techniques, like extrusion-based printing. Newer methods like CLIP and CAL are even faster and more precise. Bio-inks, which mix biomaterials, cells, and growth factors, are essential for successful bioprinting. Researchers are testing these methods for different wounds like burns and diabetic foot ulcers, and they're getting good results. There's also a new method using 3D-printed skin with special materials containing peptides that help blood vessels grow, improving the healing process. Although it's in the early stages, this technology shows promise for future wound healing.
💊Approaches employing Extracellular Matrix (ECM): During wound healing, the dermal layer's matrix guides the healing stages after skin damage. But in chronic wounds, a lack of proper ECM (extracellular matrix) hinders healing due to factors like increased metalloproteinases and persistent inflammation. Restoring functional ECM is vital for proper wound closure. Understanding ECM components is crucial; ECM is a network of molecules including proteins like collagen, fibronectin, and glycosaminoglycans. ECM directs cell behavior and provides signals for tissue repair. In different wound phases, ECM composition changes, affecting cell interactions and healing. Integrins, cellular receptors, play a key role in wound healing by regulating events like migration and proliferation. Disruptions in ECM components can lead to healing problems. Understanding ECM better can enhance wound care strategies. ECM-based strategies show potential, but variations in fabrication methods and cell sources affect outcomes.
🩸Approaches utilising Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) technology is an advanced healing method gaining attention in medicine. PRP is made from a patient's own blood and contains lots of platelets, which are rich in growth factors. These growth factors play a crucial role in healing wounds. PRP helps wounds heal faster because it contains various growth factors that signal cells to grow, move, and create new tissues. Unlike regular treatments, PRP is safe and cost-effective. It's obtained from the patient's blood through a simple process. PRP doesn't replace traditional treatments but offers an additional and efficient way to heal wounds.
👩⚕️Approaches relying on Cold Atmospheric Plasma Therapy: Cold plasma is a special type of ionized gas that stays cool, making it safe for medical use. It contains charged and neutral particles, UV radiation, and an electric field, which are all important for healing. Cold plasma is made when high-energy electrons and photons interact with atoms and molecules in the gas. It's created using devices like dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) or non-DBD atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ). Cold plasma is beneficial in wound healing because it reduces bacteria and helps wounds heal. It does this by creating reactive substances like nitric oxide (NO), which fight infections and boost tissue growth. These substances also trigger the production of growth factors in wounds, aiding in better healing and skin regeneration. Scientists are studying how cold plasma can be used to improve wound healing even more.
🧫Approach employing MicroRNA (miR) for Wound Healing: In recent years, there's been a focus on microRNA (miR) therapy, a promising approach. miRs are tiny RNA molecules that regulate various processes, including wound healing. During chronic wound healing, miRs' normal regulation is disrupted. In diabetic wounds, specific miRs are either overexpressed or underexpressed, making them potential targets for therapy. miR therapy works by using synthetic molecules to either boost helpful miRs or inhibit harmful ones. Delivering these molecules effectively is crucial, requiring well-designed delivery systems. miRs play a role in all wound healing stages, from inflammation to tissue formation, speeding up the process. Identifying the right miRs for each stage could revolutionize chronic wound treatment, although overcoming delivery challenges is vital for the success of this gene therapy.
🧑🏿🤝🧑🏻For society:
Wound healing is crucial for society. When wounds heal well, people feel better, experience less pain, and can move easily. Proper care also prevents infections and reduces the need for extra medical treatments, saving money for both individuals and healthcare systems. Chronic wounds, which last a long time, can make life hard. But effective healing gives back independence and improves life for patients and families. Fast healing means less time off work and more productivity, boosting the economy. Healing also helps emotionally, reducing stress related to wounds. Plus, the challenges of wound care lead to new medical discoveries, benefiting everyone.
🔮What’s next?
Researchers have made significant progress in the wound healing research. Advancements in rehabilitation, like Neusse's plant-based skin repair solution, help speed up physical recovery. Regenerative medicine, seen in therapies by companies like Re-gen Active Lab, aids the body's natural healing. Startups create personalized 3D-printed parts based on regenerative medicine principles as Healshape with its solutions for breast regeneration. Wearables, infection detection tools, and image-based assessments help doctors monitor wounds. Nanotess, for example, aids in wound moisture management. Advanced materials overcome microbial drug resistance and simplify bandage application like companies such as Inteligel which develops wound care hydrogels based on polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide. Collaboration between scientists and clinicians is vital for progress, and future research is needed to ensure safety in the wound healing industry.
✨ That’s all for today. Thanks for reading !
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