InjectCHA · Local delivery of PTH(1-34) from an injectable collagen-hydroxyapatite scaffold for non-invasive treatment of bisphosphonate associated atypical femoral fractures
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2016-05-01 → 2019-05-02
- EU contribution
- €175,866
- Participants
- 2
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF-EF-RI
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Local delivery of PTH(1-34) from an injectable collagen-hydroxyapatite scaffold for non-invasive treatment of bisphosphonate associated atypical femoral fractures
Osteoporosis is a major disease burden - 22 million women and 5.5 million men aged between 50-84 years of age were estimated to have osteoporosis in the EU (2010 figures). Due to the EU’s aging population, this is expected to increase by 25% by 2025. The majority of these patients are treated with bisphosphonates (BPs), a drug that prevents bone loss. However, many patients remain on these drugs for years, if not for the remainder of their lives. Long-term BP therapy leads to over-suppression of bone remodelling, an impaired ability to repair skeletal micro-fractures, and increased skeletal fragility. As a result, there is an emerging and devastating challenge associated with prolonged BP use known as atypical femoral fracture (AFF). These fractures are excruciatingly painful and associated with high levels of morbidity and mortality. The intrinsic challenge with this medical problem is that these fractures are recalcitrant to treatment and there are currently no effective therapies available. During this MSCA fellowship, the goal was to design and develop a novel injectable therapeutic biomaterial technology that would stimulate repair of AFFs. The devise consisted of a thermoresponsive shear-thinning collagen-hydroxyapatite biomaterial that would serve as a regenerative template. In addition, therapeutics can be incorporated within the biomaterial to promote bone repair. The overall objective was to formulate and fabricate this injectable therapeutic device and to test the idea that continuous local delivery of parathyroid hormone (PTH(1-34)) would restore remodelling and facilitate bone healing.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Having recently returned to the EU following Postdoctoral training in Australia, I hope to work as a MSCA Reintegration Fellow to tackle a devastating clinical orthopaedic challenge for which there is currently no effective treatment. Specifically, bisphosphonate (BP) associated atypical femoral fractures (AFFs) in osteoporotic patients which are associated with excruciating pain and high levels of morbidity and mortality. The scientific goal of this proposal is to integrate my tools in bone tissue engineering with the advanced drug delivery expertise of Prof. David Brayden’s group at University College Dublin (UCD) to develop a novel injectable therapeutic scaffold as a non-invasive treatment for AFFs. This proposal outlines an innovative research project that aims to implement a revolutionary strategy utilising Teriparatide (PTH-(1-34)) to target BP remobilisation away from AFF site and induce bone repair. In addition, a tissue engineering strategy will be employed that combines a regenerative, load bearing biomaterial for controlled local delivery of PTH(1-34) as a pioneering advance for AFF treatment. As a newly appointed academic, the training objective of this grant is to attain the requisite scientific and complementary skills to successfully develop an independent research programme. This will be achieved through the expert supervision and input of Prof. Brayden and backed up by colleagues in the lab and UCD staff training activities. In addition, by managing the project, I will further develop skills relating to planning and reporting, financial management, dissemination, patent filing and commercialisation. I will also avail of opportunities to recruit and supervise students on this project or related works. In summary, this grant will provide invaluable help to establish an independent research niche in active and emerging research fields, while equipping me with the skills needed as a newly appointed lecturer embarking on an independent research career.
Original text from CORDIS.
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Data: CORDIS, © European Union