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ReConstruct Bio: Redefining Breast Reconstruction With Bioengineered Living Tissues
Gozde Basara, PhD
1, Daniel Ludwiszewski, BSc
1, Sebastien Uzel, PhD
1, Daniel Reynolds, PhD
1, Zach Chou, BS
1, Amanda Graveline, DVM
1, Sarai Bardales, BS
1, Angelica Hernandez-Alvarez, MD
2, Daniela Lee, BS
2,
Lacey Foster, BSc2, Christopher Chen, MD. PhD
1, Jennifer Lewis, Sc.D.
1, Samuel J. Lin, MD, MBA
2, Luba Perry, PhD
1.
1Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA,
2Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
Traditional breast reconstruction methods, including synthetic implants and autologous tissue flaps, have limitations such as implant rupture, rejection, flap loss, and donor site morbidity. The ReConstruct Breast BioImplant, developed at the Wyss Institute in collaboration with BIDMC, offers a novel solution by utilizing a vascularized, living tissue implant engineered from autologous cells obtained through liposuction. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of the BioImplant in small animal models as a precursor to clinical application. The BioImplant was engineered using patient-derived cells obtained through liposuction. Bioprinting technology was employed to create 3-D printed vascularized soft tissue constructs with integrated cuffs for vascular attachment. BioImplants were surgically anastomosed to the femoral vessels of immunodeficient rats to allow immediate perfusion. Tissue viability, perfusion, and integration were assessed over nine days post-implantation; tissue viability was present at 9 days in a small animal model. The BioImplant successfully integrated with the animals' circulatory systems, demonstrating immediate perfusion and sustained viability throughout the study period. The engineered tissue showed promising functionality and stability, suggesting its potential for clinical-scale production and application. The ReConstruct BioImplant presents a viable and effective approach for breast reconstruction, offering a safer, durable alternative to existing methods. Further studies in large animal models are planned to validate clinical efficacy and scale-up potential, advancing this technology toward clinical trials.
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