“In situ formed biodegradable sponge for embolotherapy”

SONIA BOIMVASER; MARÍA I. CABRERA; VICTOR P. MOLES; RICARDO J. A. GRAU

Rosario, Santa Fe (Argentina)

Taller; 1º Taller de Órganos Artificiales, Biomateriales e Ingeniería de Tejidos (BIOOMAT 2009); 2009

Centro Binacional (Argentina – Italia) de Criobiología Clínica y Aplicada (CAIC), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas de la Universidad Nacional de Rosario

Trabajo TE2, A280, Biocell 33(3), 2009. Over the last years there has been an increasing interest in using endovascular therapies as a less invasive treatment option than conventional open procedures. Progress has been particularly made in embolization, which is a non-surgical, minimally-invasive procedure that aim to obliterate tumors, aneurysms and others vascular diseases. One of the most important factors to be considered is the effectiveness and safety of the embolic agent. The choice of the specific agent depends upon the clinical application. Permanent occlusion of arteries could be necessary in the treatment of aneurysms while a more permeable and not permanent occlusion is desirable in the treatments of tumors. Thus, for the latter case, the use of a biodegradable material to the occurrence of a progressive recanalization at the occlusion site is beneficial. In the present study, an endovascular in-situ forming implant is explored for ultimate use in embolotherapy. After choosing biocompatible solvents, injectable solutions of a FDA approved synthetic biodegradable water-insoluble polymer as a precipitating agent upon contact with blood (P1) and of a water-soluble polymer (P2), and mixtures thereof, were used to this purpose. The performance of two formulations, P1 and P1+P2, was evaluated by carrying out in vitro and in vivo assays. In vitro study: Experiments were carried out using flexible ducts of appropriate diameter with controlled circulating flow rate by a peristaltic pump as a way of simulating an artificial endovascular system. The morphology and topology of the in situ formed implant were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In vivo study: The formulations were injected into the femoral artery of swine, and the in situ formation of the implant was followed by radiography with contrast media. On day 5 after injection, radiographies were done again to assess if there was bloodstream trough the implants. After sacrifice, a portion of the artery was used for histology.