Degradable and Antimicrobial Hydrogel Foams for Cell Delivery to Crohn’s Fistulas

Crohn’s disease (CD) affects >1,000,000 people in the U.S. and Europe, primarily between the ages of 15 and 30. Approximately 1 in 3 Crohn’s patients develop fistulas, abnormal tunneling wounds that connect different portions of the digestive system. Currently, 83% of Crohn’s fistula patients undergo surgery to drain or bypass the fistula openings, but ~23% of these patients ultimately require bowel resections in which a portion of the colon or rectum is surgically removed. 

Fistula treatments that fill and seal the fistula tract while delivering pro-healing cues could drive fistula healing to reduce surgical complications for CD patients.  

Our Research 

We developed hydrogel foams that can deliver cells, antimicrobials, and other pro-healing cues to fistulas. These foams could be formed within the fistula tract to fill the fistula volume and provide a stable seal between fistula tissues. The delivered stem cells and pro-healing cues could drive healing processes to promote fistula closure.