Journal of drug targeting
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Bone is a dynamic tissue that undergoes significant turnover during the life cycle of an individual. Despite having a significant regenerative capability, trauma and other pathological scenarios commonly require therapeutic intervention to facilitate the healing process. Bone tissue engineering, where cellular and biological processes at a site are deliberately manipulated for a therapeutic outcome, offers a viable option for the treatment of skeletal diseases. ⋯ The latter agents have been used for both local bone repair (i.e. introduction of agents directly to a site of repair) as well as systemic bone regeneration (i.e. delivery for regeneration throughout the skeletal system). Critical drug delivery and targeting issues pertinent for each mode of bone regeneration are provided. In addition, future challenges and opportunities in bone tissue engineering are proposed from the authors' perspective.