Using silk grafts to repair long urethral strictures

Drug Eluting Silk Fibroin Grafts for Repair of Long Urethral Strictures

NIH-funded research University of California-Irvine · NIH-10997443

This study is looking at a new way to help people with long urethral strictures, like those caused by hypospadias or injuries, by using special silk grafts that can help heal the area better and improve urinary function, potentially offering a gentler and more effective treatment than what’s currently available.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California-Irvine NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Irvine, United States)
Project IDNIH-10997443 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the use of silk fibroin grafts to repair long urethral strictures caused by conditions like hypospadias and trauma. The approach involves creating bi-layer scaffolds that can deliver stem cell homing factors directly to the damaged area, promoting healing and restoring normal urinary function. The study will utilize large animal models to test the effectiveness of these grafts in improving outcomes compared to traditional methods. Patients may benefit from a less invasive and more effective treatment option for urethral repair.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from long urethral strictures due to congenital abnormalities or trauma.

Not a fit: Patients with short urethral strictures or those who do not require surgical intervention may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a more effective and less invasive treatment option for patients with long urethral strictures.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using biomaterials for tissue repair, indicating potential success for this novel approach.

Where this research is happening

Irvine, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.