From drugs to biomaterials: a review of emerging therapeutic strategies for intervertebral disc inflammation

Abstract

Chronic low back pain (LBP) is an increasingly prevalent issue, especially among aging populations. A major underlying cause of LBP is intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD), often triggered by intervertebral disc (IVD) inflammation. Inflammation of the IVD is divided into Septic and Aseptic inflammation. Conservative therapy and surgical treatment often fail to address the root cause of IDD. Recent advances in the treatment of IVD infection and inflammation range from antibiotics and small-molecule drugs to cellular therapies, biological agents, and innovative biomaterials. This review sheds light on the complex mechanisms of IVD inflammation and physiological and biochemical processes of IDD. Furthermore, it provides an overview of recent research developments in this area, intending to identify novel therapeutic targets and guide future clinical strategies for effectively treating IVD-related conditions.

Investigating the characteristics of mild intervertebral disc degeneration at various age stages using single-cell genomics

“…Statistical reports indicate that the global incidence rate of LBP ranges between 13.1% and 28.5% ( Maher et al, 2017 ). Among the various identified factors, intervertebral disc degeneration (IVD) stands out as a primary contributor to LBP, emerging as a leading cause of disability worldwide and exerting significant strain on healthcare systems and economies ( Chou, 2021 ; Knezevic et al, 2021 ; Yang et al, 2024 ). To date, most treatments of IVD degeneration are limited to invasive surgical interventions, such as disc replacement and spinal fusion, or pain management, which often fail to restore the integrity and normal physiological function of degenerated intervertebral discs ( Knezevic et al, 2017 ; Meisel et al, 2019 ).…”

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“…Statistical reports indicate that the global incidence rate of LBP ranges between 13.1% and 28.5% (Maher et al, 2017). Among the various identified factors, intervertebral disc degeneration (IVD) stands out as a primary contributor to LBP, emerging as a leading cause of disability worldwide and exerting significant strain on healthcare systems and economies (Chou, 2021;Knezevic et al, 2021;Yang et al, 2024). To date, most treatments of IVD degeneration are limited to invasive surgical interventions, such as disc replacement and spinal fusion, or pain management, which often fail to restore the integrity and normal physiological function of degenerated intervertebral discs (Knezevic et al, 2017;Meisel et al, 2019).…”

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“…Statistical reports indicate that the global incidence rate of LBP ranges between 13.1% and 28.5% (Maher et al, 2017). Among the various identified factors, intervertebral disc degeneration (IVD) stands out as a primary contributor to LBP, emerging as a leading cause of disability worldwide and exerting significant strain on healthcare systems and economies (Chou, 2021;Knezevic et al, 2021;Yang et al, 2024). To date, most treatments of IVD degeneration are limited to invasive surgical interventions, such as disc replacement and spinal fusion, or pain management, which often fail to restore the integrity and normal physiological function of degenerated intervertebral discs (Knezevic et al, 2017;Meisel et al, 2019).…”