Seoul, Feb 24
Researchers in Korea
successfully used a 3D printed carrier to deliver a sustained load of
immunosuppressive agent in tests with animal models. The carrier, a
combination of microspheres and hydrogel, maintained robust integrity
and immunosuppressive drug cyclosporine A (CsA) in an amount that
overcame the need for additional drugs to treat immune rejection.
"Our
objective was to show the feasibility of using a subcutaneous 3D
printed drug delivery system to achieve local and sustained CsA release
and to investigate the local immunosuppressive effects of the CsA after
cell transplantation," said Dong-Woo Cho from Pohang University of
Science and Technology, Korea.
"The improved load-bearing
capacity of the combined microsphere and hydrogel system, and its
ability to maintain its integrity and shape during the implantation
period, helped to deliver a sustained CsA release, preventing the
acceleration of the secretion of cytokines related to immune rejection,"
explained Dong-Woo.
The researchers noted that many trials have
attempted CsA delivery based on either microspheres or hydrogels, but
most encountered serious problems, such as organ damage due to migration
of the microspheres from the injection site. Also, weak mechanical
properties in several other kinds of systems caused premature
dissolution and placed limitations on drug load quantity.
However,
the improved load-bearing capacity of the vehicles and improved
structure that the Korean team developed allowed the sustained release
of CsA at the desired site.
"This research could be a fundamental
study for overcoming existing cell transplantation limitations, mainly
caused by systemic immuno-suppression," wrote the researchers, who
advocated 3D printing technology for a variety of medical applications,
including printing membranes of various shapes.
Cell-based
therapies often require the use of allogeneic (other human donated)
cells or xenogenic (different species donated) cells that can stimulate
an immune rejection response, requiring the use of immunosuppressive
drugs to prevent acute transplant rejection.
The introduction of
CsA improves the success rate of transplantations, but systemic
administration requires high doses of immuno-suppressant that can have
severe side effects.
"The benefit of the new 3D printed carrier
system is that it provides local rather than systemic drug delivery. The
carrier we developed could be a promising solution to treating several
diseases that require cell-based therapy, such as muscular dystrophy,
degenerative disc disease or myocardial infarction," concluded the
researchers.
