In a significant advancement for cancer and disease treatment, researchers led by Professor Patrick Doyle have developed a method to reformulate antibodies for injection using a standard syringe. Traditionally, antibody therapies require intravenous delivery, necessitating lengthy hospital visits for patients. The new approach promises to simplify this process, making treatments more accessible to those who need them.
The challenge with antibody injections lies in their low concentration, which necessitates large volumes for effective dosing. Increasing the concentration to fit standard syringe capacities posed the risk of creating overly viscous solutions, complicating the injection process. In 2023, Doyle’s team made strides by encapsulating antibodies in hydrogel particles, but this method was not easily scalable for production. Their latest study introduces a novel microfluidic technique that allows for the creation of concentrated antibody formulations. By suspending antibody droplets in a prepolymer solution and dehydrating them within an organic solvent, the researchers produced solid antibodies embedded in a hydrogel matrix. Once the solvent is removed, the resulting formulation can be injected with minimal force.
Notably, the team demonstrated that a two-milliliter syringe could deliver over 700 milligrams of antibodies—sufficient for most therapeutic needs—with a plunger force of less than 20 newtons, well below the threshold considered acceptable for ease of use. Additionally, these formulations have shown stability under refrigeration for at least four months. The research team now aims to test these particles in animal models and refine their manufacturing process to ensure broader availability of this promising treatment method.
Source: Reformulated antibodies could be injected for easier treatment via MIT Technology Review