مقالات پذیرفته شده در نهمین کنگره بین المللی زیست پزشکی
Nanocomposite Scaffolds as Advanced Wound Dressings in Skin Cancer and Inflammatory Disorders
Nanocomposite Scaffolds as Advanced Wound Dressings in Skin Cancer and Inflammatory Disorders
Shabnam Fahim,1,*
1. School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.
Introduction: Skin cancer and chronic inflammatory skin disorders represent major global health challenges, with high morbidity and significant impacts on quality of life. Standard treatments such as surgical excision, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and conventional wound dressings often fail to provide satisfactory outcomes, particularly in advanced cases. Surgical removal of tumors can lead to significant skin defects, while radiotherapy frequently impairs the regenerative capacity of tissues. Similarly, chronic inflammatory conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and non-healing ulcers require long-term management, where conventional wound dressings are inadequate due to limited antimicrobial activity, poor regulation of the wound microenvironment, and lack of controlled drug release. The potential of nanocomposite scaffolds to significantly improve the quality of life for these patients cannot be overstated.
Nanocomposite scaffolds, engineered materials that integrate polymers with nanostructured elements such as nanoparticles, nanofibers, or nanotubes, have emerged as promising alternatives. Their unique structural and functional properties mimic aspects of the extracellular matrix while providing platforms for sustained drug delivery, antimicrobial protection, and tissue regeneration. In cancer-related wounds, they enable localized administration of chemotherapeutic or immunomodulatory agents, while in inflammatory disorders, they regulate cytokine activity and oxidative stress to restore skin homeostasis. These multifunctional properties position nanocomposite scaffolds as next-generation wound dressings at the interfaces of biomaterials engineering, oncology, dermatology, and nanotechnology, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of this research.
Methods: This review was conducted by systematically searching PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases using the keywords nanocomposite scaffolds, wound dressing, skin cancer, inflammation, biomaterials, and nanotechnology. Articles published between 2010 and 2025 were included. The search was limited to English-language articles and those with full-text availability. Preclinical and clinical studies focusing on nanocomposite applications in skin cancer therapy and inflammatory skin disorders were analyzed, alongside review articles addressing biomaterial design and wound healing mechanisms. The selection criteria included studies that reported on the development, characterization, and application of nanocomposite scaffolds in wound healing, with a focus on their therapeutic effects and mechanisms of action.
Results: Evidence from recent studies highlights the therapeutic benefits of nanocomposite scaffolds in both cancer-related and inflammatory skin wounds. Their capacity for controlled and localized drug delivery allows chemotherapeutics, natural compounds, or anti-inflammatory agents to be released at the wound site sustainably, thereby improving efficacy while reducing systemic toxicity. Incorporating metallic and metal oxide nanoparticles, such as silver, zinc, and cerium oxide, enhances antimicrobial and antioxidant activity, protecting wounds from infection and reducing oxidative stress. Furthermore, the hybrid composition of natural polymers (e.g., collagen, chitosan, gelatin) with synthetic polymers (e.g., PLGA, PCL) improves mechanical stability, porosity, and biocompatibility, thereby supporting fibroblast proliferation, angiogenesis, and faster re-epithelialization.
Significantly, nanocomposite scaffolds also modulate the inflammatory microenvironment. Studies have demonstrated their ability to suppress pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6 while promoting the expression of growth factors, including VEGF, which collectively accelerate wound healing. In melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers, nanocomposite dressings promote repair following tumor excision or radiotherapy and reduce recurrence risk when loaded with anticancer drugs or immunotherapeutic agents. Despite these advances, several challenges remain. These challenges underscore the need for further research and innovation in the field. Concerns about the long-term biosafety of specific nanoparticles, heterogeneity in fabrication methods, and regulatory barriers continue to limit translation from bench to bedside.
Conclusion: Nanocomposite scaffolds represent a new generation of bioactive wound dressings with significant potential for treating skin cancer–associated wounds and chronic inflammatory skin conditions. Their ability to combine structural support with multifunctional therapeutic actions—including drug delivery, antimicrobial protection, immune modulation, and tissue regeneration—addresses the shortcomings of traditional wound dressings. This potential to transform wound healing inspires us to explore further. However, further research is essential to standardize scaffold design, ensure long-term safety, and validate efficacy through large-scale clinical trials. Integrating nanotechnology with innovative biomaterials and personalized medicine approaches is expected to transform nanocomposite scaffolds into clinically viable dermatologic oncology and regenerative medicine tools.