Cell microencapsulation technology for biomedical purposes: novel insights and challenges

doi:10.1016/S0165-6147(03)00073-7

Trends in Pharmacological Sciences

Volume 24, Issue 5, May 2003, Pages 207-210

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-6147(03)00073-7 Get rights and content

Abstract

The aim of cell microencapsulation technology is to treat multiple diseases in the absence of immunosuppression. Using this technique, cells are immobilized within carefully designed capsules that allow the long-term function of the graft. Although the potential impact of this field is likely to be wide-ranging, the past few years have seen several ‘firsts’ that have brought the whole technology much closer to a realistic clinical application.

Section snippets

Cell encapsulation: current status

Encapsulation allows the protection of the inner cell content from both mechanical stress and the immune response of the host. A suitable equilibrium between the stability and diffusional properties of the immuno-isolation device would favor the long-term function of the cells, thereby allowing the treatment of chronic diseases. Immobilization of cells offers important advantages compared with the encapsulation of peptides, including the secretion of ‘de novo’ produced therapeutic proteins and

Therapeutic applications

The strategy of cell microencapsulation has been used preferentially with the following therapeutic purposes: (1) development of bioartificial organs; (2) treatment of classical mendelian disorders caused by an enzymatic or gene product deficiency; (3) cancer eradication; (4) treatment of other disorders (Table 2).

Scientists are making great efforts to develop a bioartificial pancreas by immobilization of pancreatic islets in polymer microcapsules. This would avoid the multiple daily insulin

Concluding remarks

Cell encapsulation represents an alternative non-viral approach for the long-term delivery of therapeutic products. A wide spectrum of cells and tissues can be immobilized, enhancing the potential applicability of this strategy in the treatment of multiple diseases. Although some encouraging results have already been reported, much work needs to be done, particularly in the area of toxicology and biosafety, to assure the same quality standards as those associated with approved drug delivery

Acknowledgments

We wish to thank Riccardo Calafiore for insightful comments on the manuscript.

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Trends in Pharmacological Sciences

Research FocusCell microencapsulation technology for biomedical purposes: novel insights and challenges

Abstract

Section snippets

Cell encapsulation: current status

Therapeutic applications

Concluding remarks

Acknowledgments

Trends Biotechnol.

Mol. Med. Today

Adv. Drug Deliv. Rev.

Lancet

Eur. J. Pharm. Sci.

Biomaterials

Trends Mol. Med.

Lancet

Trends Biotechnol.

Kidney Intern.

Protection of encapsulated human islets implanted without immunosuppression in patients with type I or type II diabetes and in nondiabetic control subjects

Diabetes

Alginate type and RGD density control myoblast phenotype

J. Biomed. Mat. Res.

Cell encapsulation: promise and progress

Nat. Med.

Considerations for successful transplantation of encapsulated pancreatic islets

Diabetologia

Microencapsulated iNOS-expressing cells cause tumor suppression in mice

FASEB J.

Research Focus
Cell microencapsulation technology for biomedical purposes: novel insights and challenges