Tendon injuries are common in daily life and impose substantial clinical burdens. With advances in tissue engineering, notably, decellularized tendon extracellular matrix (dECM) has emerged as a promising therapeutic material with considerable translational potential. This review systematically evaluates decellularization workflows for tendon tissue, assesses resultant biological properties, and synthesizes evidence on the use of decellularized tendon scaffolds for tendon and ligament repair. Nevertheless, the translation process continues to be impeded by variability in protocols, ambiguous immune responses, and a paucity of clinical data. Future research should prioritize the standardization of procedures, the implementation of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards, and comprehensive clinical evaluation to fully harness the therapeutic potential of these scaffolds. By integrating process validation with preclinical application data, we aim to provide a scientific basis for the clinical translation and broader adoption of decellularized tendon scaffolds in the treatment of tendon injuries.
Wang et al. (Wed,) studied this question.