The concept of embolization, proposed at the beginning of the 20th century, has become one of the most powerful but minimally invasive interventions, assisted by sophisticated imaging techniques as well as the emergence of advanced biomaterials. Each year millions of patients get benefits from embolotherapy. In the past decades, biocompatible materials have been designed and manufactured into a variety of embolic agents to treat vascular malformations and hypervascular tumors such as benign uterine fibroids or malignant hepatocellular carcinomas, and it is expected that engineering biomaterials for vascular embolization will boost up the progress of embolotherapy and improve its clinical outcomes in this new century. Therefore, rigorous research in this area is of paramount importance.
This research topic aims to highlight recent advances in research on engineering biomaterials for vascular embolization. The development of the next-generation embolic biomaterials needs to follow key design criteria depending on different clinical requirements such as improved biocompatibility, biodegradability, radiopacity, intrinsic bioactivity, and multi-drug loading. Meanwhile, the embolic materials characterizations (e.g., physicochemical property, mechanical and rheological testing) offer predictable knowledge of occlusion via embolic/tissue interactions. We are eager to see systemic and comprehensive research from in vitro to in vivo tests.
A wide range of studies addressing these issues are welcome, including both original research and review articles looking at, but not limited to, the following:
• Design and modulation of various biomaterials to a specific target (e.g., controlled biodegradation, sustained drug release for embolization applications).
• Investigation of the biomaterial-specific cell/tissue interactions to predict biological events relevant to embolization (e.g., postembolization inflammatory reactions).
• Pre-clinical and clinical trials on embolotherapy from commercial or non-commercial embolic agents.
• Theoretical simulation of the dynamic process during embolotherapy.
• Development of preclinical models for embolotherapy.
The concept of embolization, proposed at the beginning of the 20th century, has become one of the most powerful but minimally invasive interventions, assisted by sophisticated imaging techniques as well as the emergence of advanced biomaterials. Each year millions of patients get benefits from embolotherapy. In the past decades, biocompatible materials have been designed and manufactured into a variety of embolic agents to treat vascular malformations and hypervascular tumors such as benign uterine fibroids or malignant hepatocellular carcinomas, and it is expected that engineering biomaterials for vascular embolization will boost up the progress of embolotherapy and improve its clinical outcomes in this new century. Therefore, rigorous research in this area is of paramount importance.
This research topic aims to highlight recent advances in research on engineering biomaterials for vascular embolization. The development of the next-generation embolic biomaterials needs to follow key design criteria depending on different clinical requirements such as improved biocompatibility, biodegradability, radiopacity, intrinsic bioactivity, and multi-drug loading. Meanwhile, the embolic materials characterizations (e.g., physicochemical property, mechanical and rheological testing) offer predictable knowledge of occlusion via embolic/tissue interactions. We are eager to see systemic and comprehensive research from in vitro to in vivo tests.
A wide range of studies addressing these issues are welcome, including both original research and review articles looking at, but not limited to, the following:
• Design and modulation of various biomaterials to a specific target (e.g., controlled biodegradation, sustained drug release for embolization applications).
• Investigation of the biomaterial-specific cell/tissue interactions to predict biological events relevant to embolization (e.g., postembolization inflammatory reactions).
• Pre-clinical and clinical trials on embolotherapy from commercial or non-commercial embolic agents.
• Theoretical simulation of the dynamic process during embolotherapy.
• Development of preclinical models for embolotherapy.