Ultrasound-guided drug-filled liposomes to prevent artery re-narrowing after stents
Echogenic Targeted Liposomes: Transfection/Drug Delivery
For people getting stents in blocked leg or peripheral arteries, this uses ultrasound plus tiny drug-filled liposomes that stick to the clogged area to deliver anti-inflammatory medicine right at the stent to help keep the artery open.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11050482 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers load the anti-inflammatory drug pioglitazone into tiny, gas-filled liposomes that are coated to bind fibrin near the stent. During the stent procedure, an ultrasound catheter is used to make the liposomes visible and to trigger local drug release at the stented artery. The approach aims to concentrate medicine at the problem site so lower doses are needed and nearby tissues get less exposure. The team hopes this will stabilize the peri-stent tissue and reduce the chance the artery narrows again.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People undergoing peripheral arterial stent placement for atherosclerotic disease (for example, in the legs) would be the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: Patients without atherosclerotic peripheral arterial disease, those not receiving stents, or people with allergies to pioglitazone or the liposome components would likely not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reduce rates of in-stent restenosis and lower the need for repeat procedures or limb amputation.
How similar studies have performed: Local drug delivery approaches like drug-eluting stents have reduced restenosis before, but using fibrin-targeted echogenic liposomes with ultrasound-triggered release and pioglitazone is a newer approach with mostly preclinical support so far.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcpherson, David D — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Mcpherson, David D
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.