Rare earth metals used in biodegradable magnesium-based stents do not interfere with proliferation of smooth muscle cells but do induce the upregulation of inflammatory genes.

Rare earth metals are added to corrodible magnesium-based alloys in low amounts (up to 10%) to improve their mechanical properties and to decrease the degradation rate. Cerium (Ce), neodymium (Nd), yttrium (Y), and ytterbium (Yb) are already used for degradable cardiovascular stents. Little is known about the biocompatibility of rare earth metals released during the degradation process of the implant.