Breakthrough in medicine: South Korean scientists have developed an innovative drug to restore broken bones

Scientists at the Pohang University of Science and Technology PosTech, South Korea, have developed an injectable adhesive hydrogel that uses visible light to treat bone defects. The hydrogel developed by the scientists makes bone grafts unnecessary, and the latter are much more expensive than a drug that works with light alone.

This is a revolutionary innovation, writes HospiMedica International. Bone defects, which can occur as a result of trauma, infection, or congenital diseases, are becoming increasingly common, especially among the aging population. However, current treatments "often fail to achieve bone adhesion and repair."

"The injectable hydrogel system for bone regeneration developed by our research team is an innovative alternative to conventional treatments for bone diseases and will significantly improve the technology of bone regeneration," the publication quotes Professor Hyung Joon Cha, who led the research team, as saying.

The hydrogel developed by the scientists provides both adhesion (i.e., proper "sticking together" of particles) and mineralization of the problem bone. Moreover, the hydrogel mechanism is activated by visible light, which is "safe for human tissue," the publication emphasizes.

That is, it is light that triggers the adhesion process, while simultaneously causing the formation of amorphous calcium phosphate, a mineral necessary for bone strengthening and growth.

Preclinical trials on animal models with femoral defects (figure below) have demonstrated the effectiveness of the new drug. After injection into the defect sites, the gel successfully promoted adhesion. Other components of the drug provided the necessary minerals to restore bone tissue and promote healing.

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