Project 452451

Radiotherapy is effective for cancer treatment but it can produce incapacitating and difficult-to-heal skin wounds as a side effect. An approach currently being explored to promote healing is the use of adult mesenchymal cells as therapy. Our team has developed tissues produced in the laboratory from adult cells extracted from adipose tissue (fat) and cultured in vitro to produce reconstructed tissues. These tissues are used like biological bandages to cover the wound surface. They produce high concentrations of secreted factors that stimulate healing. This project will evaluate how a new generation of optimized biological dressings can be engineered in order to promote the healing of skin wounds caused by radiation in a preclinical model. These experiments will determine how to better optimize the treatment of difficult-to-heal wounds. A successful outcome could speed the return to better health and a higher quality of life for patients suffering from chronic side effects of radiation therapy, and reduce the demands on medical services.