By Sergio Antonio Ayala Mar y José Guillermo González Valdez

The field of biomaterials is revolutionizing the treatment of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer, shifting our perspective on aging.

Imagine a bridge connecting biology and engineering. Biomaterials are developed using engineering principles to solve biological problems. Biology provides the context and specific needs of the human body, while engineering offers the tools and techniques to create innovative solutions.

How will these materials and their designs change the way we treat diseases?

Advances in Biomaterials

Biomaterials are substances used in medicine to interact safely and effectively with the human body. They can be natural, like collagen or silk, or synthetic, such as certain types of plastics or metals, and are used in implants, prosthetics, and medical devices.

Their primary feature is biocompatibility, meaning they do not cause significant adverse reactions. Researchers are even investigating materials capable of releasing drugs or degrading after fulfilling their function, thereby enhancing medical treatments and patient quality of life.

Research and development of biomaterials, specifically designed to interact with the human body and other biological systems, have surged over the past few decades. This trend is driven by advancements in nanotechnology, biotechnology, and tissue engineering, making biomaterials essential tools for medical innovation.

Today, applications have significantly expanded to include advanced medical devices, drug delivery systems, personalized prosthetics, and regenerative therapies.

According to recent data from the WHO Global Health Observatory, global life expectancy has risen to an average of 73 years. This increase in longevity is associated with a rise in chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer, which impact the quality of life for millions worldwide.

The aging population and the consequent rise in chronic diseases present significant challenges, highlighting the need for medical innovation. Developing medical technology offers opportunities to address these challenges, fostering innovation in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Hydrogels and Exosomes

In this context, the 12th World Biomaterials Congress was held in Daegu, South Korea, where biomaterials were presented as a complementary solution to meet current medical needs and open new frontiers in medicine.

This event, held every four years, brings together researchers and private industry to present and discuss the latest advancements in the field. In 2024, South Korea, aspiring to become a global leader in medical innovation, hosted the congress.

At this event, researchers from the School of Engineering and Sciences at Tecnológico de Monterrey, in collaboration with researchers from the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), presented a study on biodegradable hydrogels for the controlled release of exosomes.

Exosomes, small particles or vesicles produced by all cells in the body, are recognized as natural nanomaterials due to their nanometric size and cellular origin. These vesicles transport molecules from one cell to another, making them ideal vehicles for developing new therapeutic strategies.

Exosome-based therapies use these carriers to deliver treatments directly to diseased cells, improving efficacy and reducing side effects.

However, ensuring that exosomes efficiently and specifically reach the desired sites to maximize their effectiveness remains a significant challenge (8).

The research presented represents the initial steps in developing a method to deliver exosome-based therapies to specific sites over a determined period.

Hydrogels emerge as an attractive alternative to achieve this goal. These materials, whether natural or synthetic, form a three-dimensional network of molecules that retain water without fully dissolving, making them particularly suitable for treatments involving controlled release mechanisms (9).

Moreover, hydrogels can mimic the properties of human soft tissue, acting as support structures for cell growth in tissue engineering, and can be used as dressings or patches to keep wounds moist and protected (10).

These materials possess the versatility to be injected or implanted directly at the desired site in the body, whether on the skin or internally. Additionally, when therapeutic molecules are incorporated during their formulation, these can be released in a controlled manner (10).

The process occurs as the hydrogel absorbs water and its three-dimensional molecular network degrades, enabling the controlled release of therapeutic agents at the administration site.

Controlling Exosomes

The research focuses on incorporating exosomes into hydrogels composed of oxidized and methacrylated alginate (OMA), a biomaterial developed by our collaborators at UIC (11,12).

Alginate, a natural polymer derived from algae, is chemically modified through oxidation and methacrylation processes, allowing for its photopolymerization with ultraviolet light (13).

Photopolymerization offers precise control, speed, and efficiency in hydrogel production. Additionally, by adjusting the degree of alginate oxidation, we can manipulate the hydrogel’s degradation rate (14). This allows for either rapid or sustained drug release, depending on specific clinical needs.

The research leverages the potential of oxidized and methacrylated alginate (OMA) to efficiently design hydrogels with customizable properties (5,15). A high degree of alginate oxidation results in faster degradation, facilitating rapid exosome release. Conversely, a lower degree of oxidation leads to slower degradation, allowing for sustained exosome release.

This approach enables precise release timing and offers the possibility of tailoring formulations to the specific needs of each patient.

This versatility is significant considering recent studies have shown that these techniques enhance efficacy in various clinical contexts (16).

In cardiovascular diseases, these hydrogels have the potential to repair damaged heart tissue after a heart attack by releasing exosomes that stimulate cell regeneration (17,18).

For treating chronic wounds in diabetic patients, these hydrogels act as patches that promote rapid skin recovery (19). Additionally, in cancer treatment, they can be implanted near tumors to release exosomes carrying antitumor agents directly to cancer cells, increasing treatment efficacy and reducing side effects (20).

Convergence in Biomaterials

In regenerative medicine, biomaterials are designed to mimic the cellular support structure in tissues. During the congress, technological advancements were presented aim the creation of organ models, useful for studying disease development and testing new treatments (21).

In cardiology, biomaterials are fundamental in minimally invasive procedures (22). Currently, work is underway on advanced materials for the customization of cardiac implants that adapt to the anatomical and functional characteristics of each patient (23).

In the wearable medical technology sector, the use of new materials to develop biosensors was highlighted (24,25). These devices aim to identify and measure various molecules directly in the human body, allowing for constant and precise real-time health monitoring (26,27).

In precision medicine, nanocarriers designed for cancer therapy were emphasized (28). These carriers are designed to recognize and bind to specific cells, promising increased efficacy and reduced side effects of personalized therapies (29). Additionally, the adaptation of nanomaterials for vaccine production in resource-limited regions was discussed, improving access to preventive interventions (30).

The future of medicine is closely tied to the development of advanced biomaterials. Research and development in this field can not only enhance current therapies but also open new frontiers for creating strategies that can transform healthcare.

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References 

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Authors

Sergio Antonio Ayala Mar is a surgeon and holds a PhD in Biotechnology. He is currently a medical biotechnology researcher at the School of Engineering and Sciences at Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey Campus. He is a Level I member of the National System of Researchers (SNI). His research focuses on developing diagnostic and therapeutic solutions using emerging technologies, including the development of microdevices and advanced biomaterials, as well as the study of exosomes as biomarkers and nanocarriers. He has authored nine scientific articles (h-index: 7).

José Guillermo González Valdez is the Director of Outreach and Development at Tecnológico de Monterrey. He co-leads the Molecular and Systems Bioengineering Research Group at the School of Engineering and Sciences, Monterrey Campus. He is a Level II member of the National System of Researchers (SNI) and has authored over 70 scientific articles (h-index: 19).