Toward precision wound healing: Integrating regenerative therapies and smart technologies

Wound healing is a complex and multi-stage process that involves four key phases: haemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and tissue remodeling. This sequence can often be disrupted in chronic conditions such as diabetes, severe burns, and persistent infections, leading to delayed healing and abnormal scarring. Conventional treatments, including dressings, antiseptics, and topical antimicrobials, are important but often do not achieve complete healing. As a result, research has increasingly focused on complementary and advanced interventions that target specific cellular and molecular pathways. This review discusses advancements in cell-based therapies, gene delivery systems, and growth factor treatments, as well as the use of bioactive compounds and drug delivery methods driven by nanotechnology. Biomaterials such as chitosan, silk fibroin, and casein fibers have shown promise as scaffolds for tissue regeneration, while injectable hydrogels and bioadhesives offer less invasive solutions for complex wounds. Emerging strategies include AI-enabled smart bandages, bioengineered skin grafts, 3D bioprinting, and RNA-based therapeutics, which enhance precision and personalize the healing process. Evidence from preclinical and clinical studies highlights the therapeutic benefits of stem cell therapy, growth factor modulation, and non-invasive techniques like shock wave or microcurrent stimulation. The combination of traditional wound care with innovative biological and technological approaches offers transformative potential for personalized, rapid, and scar-free recovery. However, challenges such as high costs, safety concerns, and the absence of standardized clinical protocols remain substantial obstacles. Future research should focus on optimizing biocompatibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness to facilitate broader clinical adoption.