Research Polymer-Based Delivery of Growth Factors

Polymer-based growth factor delivery has been investigated previously in a number of studies.^106-108 Various forms of polymers have been shown to be especially effective in delivery of different therapies into the human body, based on resistance to proteolysis and lysosomal degradation. However, there have been relatively few studies which have specifically correlated delivery of growth factors with the healing of chronic wounds.

Current research will investigate the polymer-based (specifically, polyanhydride) delivery of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to determine the minimal therapeutic dosages resulting in statistically significant:

• stimulation of epithelialization;
• increased wound breaking strength;
• acceleration of time to 100% wound closure; and
• increased angiogenesis and granulation tissue formation in experimental models of type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Additionally, in vitro human keratinocyte and fibroblast cells from diabetic foot ulcers will be treated similarly to further assess efficacy of this novel therapy mode. In particular, migration, proliferation, and growth factor profiles will be assessed before and after treatment. Polyanhydride was selected in particular based on prior research correlating growth factors with this specific polymer as an effective delivery system.

The focus of this research is specifically on VEGF because of its recognized biological effect of recruiting and stimulating endothelial cells, which are essential in the process of vascularization for microcirculation in a diabetic foot ulcer.