Provided are compositions and methods for controlled release of macromolecules (such as proteins and polypeptides). The composition comprises at least a first hydrogel forming polymer and at least a second hydrogel forming polymer. Also provided are methods for preparing and using the composition.

The present disclosure describes an immunotherapy delivery hydrogel system. The immunotherapy delivery hydrogel system can be degradable and can release therapeutic agents at a tunable rate, and in a controlled manner. The immunotherapy delivery hydrogel system includes a hydrogel matrix and cancer therapeutic agent(s) associated with the hydrogel matrix. The hydrogel system can further include tumor cell-attractant(s) conjugated to the hydrogel matrix. The tumor cell-attractant(s) and the cancer therapeutic agent(s) act synergistically to treat cancer.

The present disclosure provides for methods, devices, and compositions for controlling factors involved in the healing of lesions. The methods, devices, and composition include a first therapeutic agent which includes an amount of MCP-1 and/or osteopontin effective to promote recruitment of macrophages to the lesion site. In additional embodiments, there is further provided a second therapeutic agent which includes an inhibitor of at least one of IL-17A, CXCL1, or IL-6 to promote polarization of an amount of the macrophages to M2 phenotype macrophages at the lesion site.

We have developed novel shear-thinning biomaterials using silica nanoparticles, gelatin-based polymers and polypeptides such as anti-PD-1 antibodies. Shear-thinning biomaterial technology offers enables polymers and drugs loaded inside such polymers to be easily delivered directly through catheters into target area for use, for example, in cancer therapy and immunotherapy. When a force above a certain threshold is applied to inject such materials, they “thin” and behaves as a semi-solid, allowing the material to readily flow through a catheter. When the force is removed, the material instantly becomes a soft solid with significant cohesive properties that prevent it from dislodging or breaking up.

Certain embodiments described herein provide a method of performing an otological surgical procedure including surgically accessing a middle ear, injecting a perfluorocarbon liquid into the middle ear, and suctioning the isolated blood from the middle ear without removing the perfluorocarbon liquid. The perfluorocarbon liquid is immiscible with blood for isolating blood in the middle ear from the perfluorocarbon liquid. In certain embodiments, the perfluorocarbon liquid has a specific gravity greater than blood to apply positive pressure to surrounding tissues. In certain embodiments, the method includes suctioning the perfluorocarbon liquid from the middle ear after the isolated blood is removed.

A formulation of naltrexone that ameliorates undesirable localized reactions at the site of implantation.

The invention provides a device comprising: at least one biocompatible polymer, and an eutectic composition comprising a first agent and an agent capable of forming a eutectic composition with the first agent; or one or more fatty acids; or one or more fatty alcohols; or one or more fatty amines or combinations thereof. The device can be administered to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of one or more active agents. The at least one biocompatible polymer may be selected from the group comprising poly ethylene-vinyl-acetate, vinyl acetate, silicone, polycaprolactone, polylacticco-glycolic acid, polylactic acid or polyglycolic acid.

The invention pertains to an ophthalmological device (100, 200) for the treatment of Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency, the device (100, 200) comprising: a stem cell carrier substrate; and a culture of limbal epithelial stem cells cultivated on said stem cell carrier substrate; wherein said stem cell carrier substrate comprises a hydrogel containing collagen or collagen-mimicking peptides; and wherein a ring-shaped area on a surface of said stem cell carrier substrate is provided with a pattern of niches (110, 210). The invention also pertains to a method for producing the ophthalmological device.

This invention relates to chemotherapeutic drug implants, and more particularly, to biodegradable chemotherapeutic drug implants comprising irinotecan, or derivatives or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The present invention also relates to processes for the preparation of these chemotherapeutic drug implants and to their use in therapy, in particular in treating brain tumours.

A substantially solid solution is provided, which includes water and optionally one or more additives, wherein about 71% to about 100% of the water by volume is in a solid state. The substantially solid solution may be administered to a subcutaneous fat layer of a subject, in order to reduce or remove adipocytes through freezing. The substantially solid solution may be generated in a mold, or at a point of delivery, and may be administered by any suitable device or administered directly to a treatment site via an incision.