Potential of endogenous regenerative technology for in situ regenerative medicine

Endogenous regenerative technology (Endoret) involves the use of patient's own biologically active proteins. growth factors and biomaterial scaffolds for therapeutic purposes. This technology provides a new approach for the stimulation and acceleration of tissue healing and bone regeneration. The versatility and biocompatibility of using patient-derived fibrin scaffold as an autologous, biocompatible and biodegradable drug delivery system open the door to a personalized medicine that is currently being used in numerous medical and scientific fields including dentistry, oral implantology, orthopaedics, ulcer treatment, sports medicine and tissue engineering among others. This review discusses the state of the art and new directions in the use of endogenous technology in the repair and regeneration of injured tissues by means of a controlled and local protein and growth factor delivery. The next generations of engineering strategies together with some of the most interesting therapeutic applications are discussed together with the future challenges in the field. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.