UCLA researchers in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering have developed a novel biomaterial that can be used as a therapeutic for cancer, wound healing and other diseases.
Immunotherapy, the modulation of immune response to drive tissue-specific expression has tremendous potential as a therapeutic for malignant cancers and for wound healing. It can also be used for vaccination. However, such an approach requires an immune modulator that can cause a local, sustained immune response without side effects and is not prone to clearance.
UCLA researchers have developed a novel biomaterial with immune-modulatory properties. Their approach is based on a solid hydrogel with chemically cross-linked immune modulators. It is not prone to clearance and is stable for long time periods ensuring a sustained immune response. Their initial proof of concept experiments showed an eight-fold increase in expression of immune cells around the biomaterial.
Proof of concept experiments conducted in animal model systems.
Country | Type | Number | Dated | Case |
United States Of America | Issued Patent | 10,849,988 | 12/01/2020 | 2016-788 |
European Patent Office | Published Application | 3439697 | 02/13/2019 | 2016-788 |
Hydrogel, Immune response, Immune system, Immune modulation, Inflammation, Inflammatory response, Cancer, Wound healing