Department of Human Structure and Repair

IP drug delivery via nebulisation

Within this line of research, the 'Experimental Surgery Research Group' focuses on a new treatment technique for peritoneal cancer. Clinical, animal experimental and translational research is being performed on 'Pressurized IntraPeritoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy' or PIPAC, which involves spraying chemotherapy under high pressure in the abdominal cavity via laparoscopy.

Research projects

PIPAC study: Intraperitoneal aerosolisation of albumin-stabilized paclitaxel nanoparticles for peritoneal carcinomatosis

This clinical study aims to determine the safety of Abraxane® (chemotherapy based on a yew derivative, similar to Taxol®) after nebulisation in the abdominal cavity, in patients with advanced peritoneal cancer.

 

Development of a rat model for intraperitoneal nebulisation of a chemotherapeutic drug (PIPAC) and possible added value of the application of an electric field (ePIPAC)

Intraperitoneal nebulisation of chemotherapy (PIPAC), with or without the application of an electric field (ePIPAC), was introduced in the treatment of peritoneal metastases. Preliminary clinical data are promising, but several methodological problems and the question of cancer efficacy remain unresolved. In this research project a rat model is developed, in which these problems can be studied in a clinically relevant, reproducible and high-throughput model.

 

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation of intraperitoneal nebulisation of a chemotherapeutic agent (PIPAC) and influence of the application of an electric field (ePIPAC)

Preclinical experiments indicate that the distribution of aerosol particles during PIPAC is not homogeneous, probably due to the effect of gravity. An addition of an electrostatic force can overcome these gravitational effects. In that sense, applying an electrostatic field (ePIPAC) can offer a solution. This project aims to develop CFD models to compare PIPAC and ePIPAC, among others.

 

Intraperitoneal immune modulation for colorectal peritoneal carcinomatosis

This project aims to find a new treatment method for colorectal peritoneal carcinomatosis. For this, we rely on modulating the peritoneal immune environment by administering a toll-like receptor (TLR) 7/8 agonists intraperitoneally using biocompatible hydrogels. The effectiveness of this new treatment method is investigated in an animal model using hydrogels, applied via IP nebulisation.

Collaborations

There are partnerships with research groups from the faculties of Pharmacy, Engineering and Sciences of Ghent University, but also with the  VIB (a life sciences research institute based in Flanders), Ghent University Hospital, and various national, European and international partners.

Publications

Questions?

  • Sarah Cosyns, postdoctoral assistant

+32 9 332 15 62