Polymeric particle-mediated molecular therapies to treat spinal cord injury

Abstract

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a physically and psychologically debilitating condition that mainly affects young, healthy males who are at the peak of their personal and professional development. SCI damages axons and disrupts myelination, which interrupts sensory and motor neuronal function. Current treatments are mostly palliative, aimed at reducing further damage and pain, but do not provide a cure. Polymeric particles have shown tremendous promise to provide patients with effective treatments that can bring partial or full functional recovery. Their unique properties can facilitate delivery of therapeutic agents to the injury site, provide protection from the host immunity or provide platforms to stimulate the regeneration of damaged axons. This review highlights the current benefits and challenges of the use of polymeric particles to control the release of molecular therapeutics as potential strategies for SCI treatment.

Keywords: Hydrogels; Molecular therapy; Neurotrophic factors; Polymeric particle; Spinal cord injury.