Research Advances in Therapeutic Strategies and Drug Delivery Systems for Pathological Scars

Pathological scars, resulting from abnormal wound healing, pose challenges due to their disfigurement and dysfunction, impacting patients' quality of life. Traditional treatments like surgery and corticosteroid injections often have limited success and undesirable side effects. The dense structure of scar tissue also hinders drug penetration, reducing treatment efficacy. Recent advances in biomaterial-based drug delivery systems offer a promising alternative by combining sustained drug release with minimally invasive methods, potentially overcoming these limitations. This review discusses the pathogenesis of pathological scars, evaluates current and emerging treatments, and explores the future potential of innovative drug delivery systems in managing these scars.