Cambridge Researchers Pioneer Responsive Biomaterial for Chronic Illnesses

A team of researchers at the University of Cambridge has developed a groundbreaking biomaterial that may revolutionize the treatment of chronic diseases. Under the leadership of Professor Oren Scherman from the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, the team has created a responsive material that mimics human tissue and adapts to changes in the body’s chemistry. This innovation has the potential to serve as an effective therapy for long-term illnesses, notably arthritis.

Biomaterials can be categorized into various forms, including ceramics, metals, and polymers, and are increasingly recognized for their advanced capabilities. Typically, these materials are used to replace or restore body functions, such as in joint replacements or cardiac surgeries, where they can substitute damaged heart valves and blood vessels. The focus on biomaterials has intensified in recent years, with the University of Cambridge at the forefront of this research. For instance, the Cambridge Centre for Medical Materials has been instrumental in developing engineered cardiac tissue scaffolds, which offer new possibilities for regenerative heart repair.

The new biomaterial developed by Scherman’s team has a unique ability to alter its mechanical properties in response to pH changes within the body. Composed of polymers—long chains of repeating molecules—this material can be loaded with drugs tailored to specific chronic conditions. When the pH level shifts, such as during inflammation, the material transitions to a jelly-like state, triggering the release of the encapsulated drugs.

Artificial cartilage, as the material has been named, shows significant promise in treating various types of arthritis. In the UK alone, arthritis affects approximately one in six people, leading to symptoms such as pain, fatigue, and immobility. The principal forms of arthritis include osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The latter is an autoimmune disease that often impacts younger individuals and can result in severe joint inflammation and damage.

Current treatment options for RA primarily involve disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biological drugs, which suppress the immune system’s attack on the joints. While these immunosuppressants can be effective, they also come with significant side effects, similar to those associated with chemotherapy. Pain management is typically achieved through painkillers and anti-inflammatories, which could be integrated into the artificial cartilage.

“The materials can ‘sense’ when something is wrong in the body and can respond by delivering treatment right where it’s needed,” explained Stephen O’Neill, the study’s first author. This innovative approach does not aim for a cure but rather strives to provide relief tailored to the body’s chemistry, potentially reducing the necessity for repeated drug doses and enhancing the quality of life for patients.

The journey for artificial cartilage is just beginning. Currently, the pH-sensitive material has been evaluated in laboratory tests outside the body, where fluorescent dyes were used to simulate drug release. The next phase involves testing the biomaterial in living animal models to verify its drug release mechanism and ensure its safety, paving the way for extensive clinical trials in humans.

O’Neill expressed optimism about the material’s versatility, noting, “It’s a highly flexible approach, so we could incorporate both fast-acting and slow-acting drugs, enabling a single treatment to last for days, weeks, or even months.” This adaptability suggests potential applications beyond arthritis, including cancer treatment. Many tumors thrive in acidic environments, similar to inflamed joints, due to abnormal glucose metabolism in cancer cells.

With the dual potential to address both cancer and arthritis, the research team, including those at the Melville Laboratory, is enthusiastic about the implications of this new biomaterial. Scherman remarked, “Combining the mimicking properties of cartilage with highly targeted drug delivery is a really exciting prospect.” As this innovative research progresses, it may well contribute significantly to the future of medical treatments, enhancing patient outcomes in chronic disease management.