Revolutionizing Heart Recovery: MIT Engineers Develop a Flexible Drug-Delivery Patch
CAMBRIDGE, MA - MIT engineers have developed a groundbreaking flexible drug-delivery patch that could revolutionize the treatment of heart attacks. This innovative patch, designed to be placed on the heart post-attack, aims to enhance healing and regeneration of cardiac tissue, potentially offering a more effective recovery process for heart attack victims.
The patch's unique feature lies in its ability to deliver multiple drugs at specific times, following a pre-programmed schedule. In a study conducted on rats, the researchers observed a 50% reduction in damaged heart tissue and significant improvements in cardiac function. These findings suggest that the patch could potentially restore more cardiac function in humans compared to current treatment methods.
Ana Jaklenec, a principal investigator at MIT's Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, emphasizes the patch's potential to address the issue of ineffective tissue regeneration after a heart attack. By delivering drugs at precise intervals, the patch aims to mimic the body's natural healing process, promoting a stronger and more resilient heart.
The study, published in Cell Biomaterials, was led by Robert Langer, the David H. Koch Institute Professor at MIT, and former MIT postdoc Erika Wang. The researchers adapted drug-delivery microparticles, resembling tiny coffee cups with lids, to release drugs at different times. By adjusting the molecular weight of the polymers forming the lids, they controlled the degradation rate, enabling precise drug release schedules.
The patch incorporates three drugs with distinct roles: neuregulin-1, VEGF, and GW788388. Neuregulin-1 prevents cell death, VEGF promotes blood vessel formation, and GW788388 inhibits scar tissue development. This timed drug delivery approach aligns with the body's natural healing sequence, ensuring optimal therapeutic benefits.
The researchers embedded these microparticles into a hydrogel patch, made from biocompatible polymers, creating a compact and flexible structure. The patch's size is a few millimeters across, making it surgically implantable during open-heart surgery. This design allows for the precise delivery of drugs to the heart, enhancing tissue healing.
In laboratory tests, the patch demonstrated its effectiveness in promoting blood vessel growth, cell survival, and reducing fibrosis. When tested on a rat model of heart attack, the patch yielded remarkable results. Animals treated with the patch showed a 33% higher survival rate, a 50% reduction in damaged tissue, and improved cardiac output compared to untreated or IV-treated rats.
The researchers also confirmed that the patch dissolves over time, becoming a thin layer without affecting the heart's mechanical function. This non-invasive dissolution process is a significant advantage for long-term treatment.
While neuregulin-1 and VEGF have been tested in clinical trials for heart conditions, GW788388 is primarily explored in animal models. The researchers plan to further test the patch in additional animal models and aim to conduct a clinical trial in the future. They are also exploring the possibility of incorporating the microparticles into stents for drug delivery in arteries.
This innovative patch represents a significant advancement in heart attack treatment, offering a promising approach to enhance recovery and restore cardiac function.
