Cell therapy and delivery

Cell therapy involves introducing or modifying cells to treat diseases. Recently, authorized treatments like CAR T-cell therapies have made strides in targeting blood cancers. While most cell therapy products are administered intravenously, the local delivery of cells, via injection into or nearby the treatment site, shows potential to treat conditions such as spinal cord injuries, regenerate ischemic tissues, and halt the progression of Parkinson’s disease.

The challenges of localized cell delivery

Key challenges for local administration of cells include uniform delivery, maintaining cell viability, and retaining cells at the administration site—critical factors for successful local and regional cell therapies.¹

Gelatin for cell therapy

Gelatin has a history of safe use in medical applications [link to the blog]. Ultra-purified gelatin such as Rousselot X-Pure, free of pyrogens, will provide a pro-regenerative environment for cells.² Unlike synthetic hydrogels such as polyethylene glycol³ or natural biomaterials such as alginate⁴, ultra-purified gelatin is not recognized as foreign by the immune system. Rousselot has developed injectable gels to improve cell viability and retention of cells after local administration.