London,UK – A novel treatment utilizing nanodiamonds to deliver growth hormones directly to a developing fetus is showing promising results in the fight against Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH),a life-threatening birth defect. The research, conducted by experts at Great Ormond street Hospital (GOSH), University College London (UCL) in the UK, and KU Leuven in Belgium, could potentially offer a less invasive and more effective therapy for the condition, potentially available within five years.
CDH occurs when a hole in the diaphragm allows abdominal organs to move into the chest cavity, hindering lung growth.Current treatments frequently enough involve postnatal surgery and intensive care, but outcomes can vary significantly. This new approach aims to stimulate lung growth in utero,before birth.
The treatment centers around the use of nanodiamonds as carriers for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a hormone crucial for lung development. Researchers successfully tested the system on lab-grown “mini-lungs” created using 3D printing to mimic the compression experienced by a fetus, as well as in rat models with CDH.
“Nanodiamonds,3D-printing and growth hormones in the womb all sounds a bit science-fiction,” said Dr. Stavros Loukogeorgakis, a GOSH surgeon involved in the research. “But this research is really showing us what is possible.”
The research builds on existing understanding of VEGF’s role in angiogenesis - the formation of new blood vessels – and its importance in lung maturation. Delivering VEGF directly to the fetal lungs via nanodiamonds aims to overcome the challenges of systemic delivery, wich can have unwanted side effects.
the development is particularly hopeful for families affected by CDH, including Georgia Turner, whose daughter Amelia was born with the condition. Ms. Turner stated, “new research like this is great to see how experts are trying to make the treatment for CDH more successful for all children, and less invasive. Hopefully better treatments will also prevent relapse cases like Amelia.”
While the research is still in its early stages, the successful preclinical results represent a notable step forward in the treatment of CDH. Researchers are now focused on further refining the delivery system and conducting larger-scale studies to assess its safety and efficacy before potential clinical trials can begin.
