Speaker
Description
Introduction:
Axial vascularisation of tissue constructs is essential to maintain an adequate blood supply for a stable regeneration of clinically relevant 3D tissues. In the last 10 years, our research group has been investigating the efficacy of the arterio-venous loop (AV loop) as a model of axial vascularisation. The versatility of the AV loop could be demonstrated in various small and large animal models even after applying high doses of ionizing radiation comparable to those applied for adjuvant radiotherapy after head and neck cancer.
Methodology and Results:
We will report about our experience with axially vascularized tissue engineering constructs in the last 10 years including the in vivo irradiation of the rat and rabbit implantation chambers as well as the mandibular goat model. Furthermore, our most recent results showed a correlation between a state of controlled hypoxia inside the AV loop-constructs and its ability to attract progenitor cells from the systemic circulation. We will also present the early results of our recent clinical trial (NCT04001842) regarding axially vascularized mandibular regeneration of extensive defects after recurrent Ameloblastoma otherwise requiring free flap reconstruction.
Conclusions: Axially vascularized tissue engineering constructs represents a convenient method to reconstruct extensive mandibular defects otherwise requiring free bone transfer. Despite their proven versatility after irradiation in pre-clinical trials, human application after cancer ablation and irradiation remains a major challenge that should be further investigated in well-designed clinical trials.
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