Breast cancer treatment often requires reconstructive surgery involving implants or tissue grafts from other parts of the body. Researchers have developed an injectable primer derived from human skin cells that could help restore breast volume after tumor removal, resulting in less scarring and a shorter recovery time.
The findings were published in the journal ACS Applied Bio. Pham Ngoc Chin, a senior researcher on the study, explained that the treatment mechanism is based on promoting blood vessel growth and tissue remodeling while maintaining low inflammation and minimizing capsular contraction. This can make breast reconstruction safer, less invasive, and easier, leading to improved long-term patient comfort and cosmetic results.
A New Treatment for Breast Cancer
According to acs.org, breast cancer treatment relies on removing cancerous cells and damaged tissue, sometimes necessitating a complete mastectomy. In some cases, to preserve breast size, doctors resort to surgical techniques where the remaining tissue is rearranged to fill the space left by the tumor removal. Skin and fat from other parts of the body are used to fill the remaining gaps, similar to skin grafting. However, this method can leave a scar at the site where the tissue was used.
According to the new treatment strategy, a cell-free dermal matrix (ADM) is used. This is skin that has been treated by removing its outer layer, resulting in a material rich in cellular components important for healing, including collagen, elastin, and growth factors.
Currently, ADM is primarily available as sheets used in tendon repair or plastic surgery. The South Korean medical team sought to develop an injectable form of ADM suitable for breast reconstruction surgery that requires filling gaps.
Experimental Breast Cancer Treatment
Researchers took a skin sample donated by a living participant and processed it through a series of steps, including cell removal, freezing, and grinding, to create small particles of cell-free dermal matrix. They then added water to these particles to form a thick paste. The team injected small amounts of this paste into mice to test its biocompatibility and compared it to two commercially available ADM products.
After six months, the mice showed no adverse health effects. In fact, the tissue layers surrounding the injected material in the animals treated with the new ADM paste were thinner than those treated with the commercial product.
Thinner tissue layers are preferable for breast implants because they are less likely to cause complications such as infection or hematomas. However, this does not mean that this trial is a definitive treatment. Long-term safety trials and more complex testing are still needed before this material can be considered for clinical use.