Latest advances: Improving the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of PEEK materials

Materials Today Bio, 2023 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100748 · Published: July 29, 2023

Simple Explanation

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a promising orthopedic implant material due to its excellent biocompatibility, mechanical properties, chemical stability, and elastic modulus close to bone tissue. However, its biological inertness hinders clinical applications. The immune responses and inflammatory reactions after implantation interfere with the osteogenic process. This leads to fibrous tissue proliferation and fibrous capsule formation, resulting in a loose connection between PEEK and bone and eventual implantation failure. Researchers are focusing on modification techniques, including drug delivery systems, surface chemical modifications, and surface porous treatments, to modulate the post-implantation immune response and improve the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory abilities of PEEK.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Not specified

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Inflammation and immune mechanisms after PEEK implantation lead to fibrous capsule formation, which impairs osseointegration.
2
Modification techniques, such as drug delivery systems (PLGA/PVA hydrogel coating, liposomes, PTMC, PDA) and surface chemical modifications (Ca2+, phosphate, Zn2+, Mg2+, Sr2+, Cu2+, Ag+, SB, COOH, BMP2, TiO2, Ti, HA, Nano HA/Silica), can improve the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory abilities of PEEK.
3
Changing surface roughness through sulfonation, acid etching, 3D printing, extrusion, layer-by-layer self-assembly, and argon plasma immersion ion implantation can also modulate the immune microenvironment and improve osseointegration.

Research Summary

This paper summarizes the mechanism by which the immune response after PEEK implantation leads to fibrous capsule formation; it also focuses on modification techniques to improve the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory abilities of PEEK. The review identifies multiple factors involved in the inflammatory response and presents various ways to modify PEEK to modulate this response and reduce fibrous wrapping. The ultimate goal is to describe ways to improve the biological inertness of PEEK, avoid implantation failure, and improve the functional outcomes of PEEK as a bioimplantation material.

Practical Implications

Drug Delivery Systems

The use of drug delivery systems can stably store and release anti-inflammatory substances from the PEEK surface.

Surface Chemical Modification

Chemical modification improves the surface properties of PEEK while retaining the structure and properties of the PEEK body.

Surface Roughness Modification

Modifying surface roughness using various techniques improves osseointegration and reduces local inflammation.

Study Limitations

1
Complexity of processing techniques.
2
Lack of long-term experimental observations of PEEK materials.
3
Many existing experiments are limited to in vitro cellular assays, lacking in vivo validation.

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