新型生物栓塞材料：从物理封堵到智能协同-中国材料进展

文章信息/Info

Title:: Novel Bio-Embolic Materials: From Physical Occlusion to Smart Synergistic Therapy

Author(s):: ZHU Xiaofeng; WANG Kaiyang; MIAO Yamei; LUO Yu; Institute for Frontier Medical Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai 201620

Keywords:: transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE); tumor interventional therapy; smart biomaterials; synergistic therapy; Tumor microenvironment (TME)

摘要:: 经导管动脉栓塞（transcatheter arterial embolization, TAE）已成为中晚期实体肿瘤的核心微创治疗手段之一。但传统栓塞剂多属于“被动物理封堵”，在栓塞可控性、可视化追踪及协同治疗方面存在明显不足。近年来，功能化生物材料正驱动栓塞体系从单纯的“物理封堵”向“功能集成-智能响应-主动导航”的栓塞-治疗精准协同模式变革。相关研究从机械栓塞器械的结构/力学优化，发展到可注射原位成形的液体/凝胶栓塞剂，再到集载药控释、肿瘤微环境调控、与外源物理能量场（激光、磁、放射等）协同治疗于一体的多功能平台，并进一步发展到可在外场引导下精准到达靶区治疗的微纳机器人。以功能演进为主线，归纳了上述新型TAE治疗策略的各类代表性设计与关键问题，探讨了该领域面临的挑战，旨在为下一代智能栓塞材料的设计提供新思路。

Abstract:: Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) has emerged as a pivotal minimally invasive strategy for treating advanced solid tumors. However, traditional embolic agents are predominantly limited to “passive physical occlusion,”suffering from significant deficiencies in controllability, visual tracking, and synergistic therapeutic capabilities. Recently, functionalized biomaterials have propelled a paradigm shift in embolization systems, evolving from simple “physical occlusion” toward a precise “embolization-therapy” synergistic mode characterized by “functional integration, smart response, and active navigation”. This evolution spans from the structural and mechanical optimization of mechanical embolic devices to injectable in-situ forming liquid/gel embolic agents, advancing to multifunctional platforms integrating controlled drug release, tumor microenvironment (TME) modulation, and synergistic therapies with exogenous physical fields (e.g., laser, magnetic, and radiation). Furthermore, it advances to micro/nanorobots capable of active navigation to target sites under external field guidance. With functional evolution as the central thread, this review systematically summarizes representative design strategies and key issues in these areas. It further discusses current challenges, aiming to provide novel insights for the design of next-generation intelligent embolic materials.