Hydrogel drug delivery systems for the treatment of pediatric growth plate injuries
Inventors
Payne, Karin A. • Krebs, Melissa D.
Assignees
Colorado School of Mines • University of Colorado Colorado Springs
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Publication Number
US-12409228-B2
Publication Date
2025-09-09
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention relates to the unexpected discovery of compositions and methods for the treatment of growth plate defects. In certain embodiments, the methods prevent the growth of “bony bars” at the site of growth plate injury, thereby preventing growth arrest and/or deformity. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise hydrogels comprising at least one biological factor capable of preventing bony bar formation.
Core Innovation
The invention describes treating a growth plate injury in a subject by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a hydrogel composition that includes a hydrogel polymer material selected from chitosan, alginate, and combinations thereof. The hydrogel composition also includes at least one biological factor selected from anti-VEGF compounds, stem cell attracting factors, and transforming growth factor beta cytokines, with the composition optionally further including hyaluronic acid.
In described embodiments, the hydrogel composition includes a hydrogel polyelectrolyte complex formed from chitosan and alginate that embeds the at least one biological factor. Certain embodiments specify a chitosan-and-alginate hydrogel polymer as the hydrogel polymer material, with anti-VEGF compounds, stem cell attracting factors, and transforming growth factor beta cytokines as biological factors, and hyaluronic acid optionally included.
The disclosed rationale and experimental context address preventing undesired outcomes associated with pediatric growth plate injury, including bony bar formation, growth arrest, and deformity. The use of biological factors is described in connection with anti-VEGF activity, stem cell attracting factors, and transforming growth factor beta cytokines, together with hydrogel-based delivery.
Claims Coverage
The provided independent claims cover a method of treating a growth plate injury by administering a therapeutically effective hydrogel composition. Across the two independent claims, the inventive structure is defined by hydrogel polymers, biological factors, and optionally hyaluronic acid, with dependent claims further specifying embodiment details.
Treating growth plate injury with chitosan/alginate hydrogel plus biological factors
Administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a hydrogel composition consisting of a hydrogel polymer material selected from chitosan, alginate, and a combination thereof, and at least one biological factor selected from anti-VEGF compounds, stem cell attracting factors, and transforming growth factor beta cytokines, optionally hyaluronic acid; and treating the growth plate injury in the subject.
Treating growth plate injury with chitosan-and-alginate hydrogel plus biological factors
Administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a hydrogel composition consisting of a hydrogel polymer material consisting of chitosan and alginate; at least one biological factor selected from anti-VEGF compounds, stem cell attracting factors, and transforming growth factor beta cytokines; and optionally hyaluronic acid; and treating the growth plate injury in the subject.
Both independent claims share the same core claim coverage: a therapeutically effective hydrogel composition for growth plate injury treatment that uses chitosan and/or alginate as the hydrogel polymer base and embeds at least one biological factor chosen from anti-VEGF compounds, stem cell attracting factors, and transforming growth factor beta cytokines, with hyaluronic acid optionally included.
Stated Advantages
Prevents bony bar growth and/or reduces bony-bar formation associated with growth plate injury.
Prevents growth arrest and deformity associated with pediatric growth plate injury.
Documented Applications
Method for treating a growth plate injury in a subject, including embodiments relevant to pediatric growth plate defects and use cases addressing bony bar formation, growth arrest, and deformity.
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