Injectable hydrogel to help bones heal in osteonecrosis
ABC Hydrogel for the treatment of osteonecrosis
This project uses an injectable hydrogel to bring blood‑vessel‑forming signals and bone‑protecting medicine into bones damaged by osteonecrosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11325077 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would receive an injectable gel made from gelatin and hyaluronic acid that carries a bone‑protecting drug (bisphosphonate) and a VEGF‑like peptide to encourage new blood vessels. The team plans to deliver the gel into the dead bone through small intraosseous needles so it spreads through the damaged area without leaking out. The gel is designed to change form after injection to avoid blocking marrow spaces and to release its active ingredients locally. Early lab and animal work showed broad distribution in necrotic bone and promising behavior, and the project aims to refine the formulation toward use in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with early to mid‑stage osteonecrosis who want less invasive options and can undergo a minimally invasive intraosseous injection.
Not a fit: People with advanced bone collapse, extensive joint destruction, or those who cannot safely have an intraosseous procedure are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could restore local blood supply and preserve bone so fewer patients need joint replacement.
How similar studies have performed: Related preclinical work using pro‑angiogenic peptides or local bisphosphonate delivery has shown promise in animals, but this exact combined hydrogel approach is novel.
Where this research is happening
Dallas, United States
- Ut Southwestern Medical Center — Dallas, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ma, Chi — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Ma, Chi
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.