Unleashing the Potential of Autologous Platelet Concentrates in Bone Regeneration: A Focus on Their Synergy With Biomaterials.

Abstract

Bone defects present significant clinical challenges worldwide, as conventional treatments such as autografts and allografts are constrained by limited supply, immune risks and insufficient bioactivity. Derived from the patient's own venous blood via centrifugation, autologous platelet concentrates (APCs) offer an autologous, readily accessible source of growth factors and immune-related cues that can support osteogenesis, angiogenesis, and regenerative microenvironment remodeling. However, their standalone application is limited by intrinsic drawbacks, including mechanical weakness, rapid degradation, and transient growth factor release. To overcome these shortcomings, integrating APCs with various biomaterials has become a key strategy, providing structural support and modulating growth factor release. Across the literature, the evidence ranges from biological plausibility and preclinical support to limited early clinical feasibility, while proven clinical superiority remains uncertain for many combinations. This narrative review summarizes the classification, preparation, and osteogenic mechanisms of APCs, and discusses their combined application with diverse biomaterials across clinical scenarios based on evidence from in vitro to clinical studies. Furthermore, this review identifies current challenges and points out future directions, aiming to guide the rational design and clinical translation of more effective APC-biomaterial systems for bone regeneration.