# US 11,027,047 B2 · Delivery vehicles for stem cells and uses thereof

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- Number: US 11,027,047 B2
- Document ID: US11027047B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/559,596
- Filed: 2016-03-30
- Published: 2018-03-08
- Granted: 2021-06-08
- Earliest claimed: 2015-03-31
- Assignees: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Applicants: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Inventors: Shawn D. Hingtgen; Julio Rodriguez Bago; Matthew G. Ewend; Karen J. Giroux; Raluca Dumitru
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11027047B2

## CPC

- A61L 27/58: Materials at least partially resorbable by the body
- A61L 27/222: {Gelatin}
- A61L 27/3834: {Cells able to produce different cell types, e.g. hematopoietic stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, marrow stromal cells, embryonic stem cells}
- A61L 27/3878: {Nerve tissue, brain, spinal cord, nerves, dura mater}
- A61L 27/50: Materials characterised by their function or physical properties {, e.g. injectable or lubricating compositions, shape-memory materials, surface modified materials}
- A61L 27/54: Biologically active materials, e.g. therapeutic substances {(A61L27/227 takes precedence)}
- A61L 27/56: Porous materials, {e.g. foams or sponges}
- A61L 31/16: Biologically active materials, e.g. therapeutic substances {(A61L31/047 takes precedence)}
- A61P 35/00: Antineoplastic agents
- A61P 43/00: Drugs for specific purposes, not provided for in groups A61P1/00-A61P41/00
- C12N 5/0012: {Cell encapsulation}
- C12N 5/0619: {Neurons}
- C12N 5/0663: {Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC)}
- C12N 2501/602: Sox-2
- C12N 2502/1352: Mesenchymal stem cells
- C12N 2506/1307: from adult fibroblasts
- C12N 2510/00: Genetically modified cells
- C12N 2513/00: 3D culture
- C12N 2533/56: Fibrin; Thrombin
- C12N 2535/00: Supports or coatings for cell culture characterised by topography
- A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K)
- A61P: SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
- C12N: MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA (microbiological testing media C12Q1/00)

## Abstract

Provided herein according to some embodiments is a biocompatible scaffold comprising stem cells (e.g., a pliable scaffold) suitable for intracavity administration after surgical removal of a tumor, wherein the scaffold allows the stem cells to migrate away from the scaffold and towards a cancerous or damaged tissue, wherein the stem cells are loaded with a therapeutic agent and/or a reporter molecule. Methods of forming the scaffold, and methods of use thereof, are also provided.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of forming a scaffold comprising stem cells, wherein said stem cells are mammalian neural stem cells, wherein said stem cells are loaded with a therapeutic agent, and optionally wherein said stem cells are also loaded with a reporter molecule, said method comprising:
providing a polymerizable and/or crosslinkable material that is not gelatin, wherein said material further comprises crosslinked gelatin, wherein said crosslinked gelatin is not collagen, optionally wherein the material is sterile,
mixing said polymerizable and/or crosslinkable material with said stem cells to form a mixture of said material and said stem cells, and
polymerizing and/or crosslinking said material of said mixture,
to thereby form said scaffold comprising said stem cells,
wherein said scaffold is biocompatible and wherein said scaffold allows the stem cells to migrate away from the scaffold and towards a cancerous or damaged tissue.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said stem cells are induced neural stem cells.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said stem cells are induced neural stem cells derived from skin fibroblast cells.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said therapeutic agent is an enzyme useful for enzyme/prodrug therapy.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said stem cells are human neural stem cells.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the polymerizing and/or crosslinking are performed in situ during intracavity administration after surgical removal of a brain tumor.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the scaffold is administered to line the walls of a resection cavity of a brain tumor.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said polymerizable and/or crosslinkable material comprises fibrinogen and wherein said polymerizing and/or crosslinking is carried out by adding thrombin to said mixture.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said polymerizing and/or crosslinking is carried out by adding a chemical crosslinking agent.