Lab-Grown Cartilage May One Day Cut Need for This

Lab-Grown Cartilage May One Day Cut Need for This

Made of patients' stem cells and synthetic 'scaffolding,' it may cut need for hip replacement, scientists say

By Randy Dotinga

HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, July 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Scientists report progress toward developing lab-grown cartilage that could postpone or possibly eliminate the need for hip replacement surgery in younger arthritis patients.

The cartilage hasn't been tested in humans yet, and it's too early to know anything about side effects or cost. Still, the researchers said it's promising because the cartilage is only partially artificial -- it also includes the patient's stem cells -- and the synthetic "scaffolding" may vanish over time, leaving only human tissue in its place.

In addition, the implant is designed to fight off swelling, said lead researcher Bradley Estes. He is vice president of research and development at Cytex Therapeutics, the Durham, N.C.-based company developing the cartilage.

"We have an implant that can functionally replace the diseased tissue, while also fighting off inflammation that could potentially destroy the new tissue," he said.

The implant is geared toward arthritis patients who are too young to be good candidates for hip replacement surgery, mostly because they are expected to live too long for the hip replacement to last their lifetime.

"Currently, there is a gap in treatment options for the treatment of arthritis, particularly for the active, young patient who's younger than 65 years of age," Estes said.

"If a patient were to be diagnosed with arthritis at an early age, typical treatment options include physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications and analgesics. These don't address the underlying problem -- arthritis -- so the patient is left with inadequate treatment until the time that they're properly indicated for a total joint replacement," Estes explained.

Scientists have been trying to find a way to engineer a kind of artificial cartilage that could be used to "resurface" joints, he said.

In the new study, the authors reported on laboratory tests of an artificial cartilage designed to replace the surface of the hip joint.

The researchers used 3-D textile technology to create the cartilage. It "mimics natural cartilage," Estes said, and includes a mix of plastic material and a patient's stem cells that are supposed to produce cartilage. The cells, he said, are also "programmed" to reduce inflammation.

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