Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-based composite bone-substitute materials

Research and development of the ideal artificial bone-substitute materials to replace autologous and allogeneic bones for repairing bone defects is still a challenge in clinical orthopedics. Recently, poly(lactic-<i>co</i>-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-based artificial bone-substitute materials are attracting increasing attention as the benefit of their suitable biocompatibility, degradability, mechanical properties, and capabilities to promote bone regeneration. In this article, we comprehensively review the artificial bone-substitute materials made from PLGA or the composites of PLGA and other organic and inorganic substances, elaborate on their applications for bone regeneration with or without bioactive factors, and prospect the challenges and opportunities in clinical bone regeneration.