Inventors:
Robert S. LANGER - Newton MA, US
Rajiv SAIGAL - Philadelphia PA, US
Yang TENG - Wellesley MA, US
Eric WOODARD - Jamaica Plain MA, US
Assignee:
CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER CORPORATION - Boston MA
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY - Cambridge MA
International Classification:
A61L 27/58, A61F 2/02, A61L 27/54
Abstract:
Provided herein are new methods for the treatment of hyperproliferative diseases affecting the spinal cord, including the use of biodegradable polymers to treat spinal cord tumor recessing, i.e., to patch open zones left by spinal tumor removal. Biocompatible polymeric materials are tailored to fill areas previously occupied by tumors, e.g., materials in the form of tubular articles configured for insertion into the spinal column after surgical removal of a tumor. These protective articles may also include medicinal agents that stimulate spinal column neural regeneration, such as medicines or donor neuronal cells such as human neural stem cells, thus assisting patients to recover motorsensory function after spinal tumor surgery.