Abstract:

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common pelvic floor dysfunction disease, whose core pathophysiological basis is the homeostatic imbalance of extracellular matrix (ECM) metabolism. This process is not a passive tissue degeneration but an active remodeling disorder driven by multiple factors and involving multiple cell types, manifested as the disruption of the dynamic balance between ECM synthesis and degradation. Current treatment modalities, primarily surgical, face limitations such as a high recurrence rate. Therefore, novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies targeting the essence of ECM metabolic imbalance have become a research focus, including cutting-edge directions such as targeted drugs, regenerative therapies, and tissue engineering. To facilitate the translation of these strategies from basic research to clinical application, deep integration and collaboration among basic medical science, biomaterials science, and clinical medicine are imperative. This ultimately aims to achieve a paradigm shift in POP treatment, moving from anatomical repositioning to the reconstruction of biological function.

Key words: Pelvic organ prolapse, Extracellular matrix, Matrix metalloproteinases, Fibroblasts, Tissue engineering