Chemistry from Oren Scherman’s group in the Melville Lab can give sustained release of drugs over a period of up to six months. This could have a huge impact on patients who need long-term injections, such as diabetics.
The technology uses injectable, reformable and spreadable hydrogels that can be loaded with protein drugs and other types of therapeutics. As they contain up to 99.7% water by weight, they are biocompatible.
The gel structure is formed by cellulose polymers, which are held together by barrel-shaped cucurbituril molecules that act as miniature ‘handcuffs’.
‘The hydrogels protect the proteins so that they remain bio-active for long periods, and allow the proteins to remain in their native state,’ Oren says. ‘Importantly, all the components can be incorporated at room temperature, which is key when dealing with proteins which denature when exposed to high heat.’
The delivery properties of the hydrogels, developed by Oren, postdoc Xian Jun Loh and PhD student Eric Appel, can be tuned to control the rate of release, by altering the ratio of materials within them. They are also investigating the possibility of using the hydrogels to treat brain cancer.
For more information, go to http://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/new-technology-delivers-sustained-release-of-drugs-for-up-to-six-months