IITGN researchers develop advanced hydrogels for detection, treatment of gastrointestinal cancers

“Treating GIT cancers –- including colorectal, stomach, and oesophageal cancers — which might arise as small growths called polyps, is challenging due to the GIT’s delicate and layered structure. The risk of damaging the healthy tissue around tumours during chemotherapy or standard surgical procedures like endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a major concernd,” Prof Mukesh Dhanka, an Assistant Professor at IIT Gandhinagar’s Department of Biological Sciences and Engineering and Principal Investigator of the study.

To make ESD safer and more effective, doctors inject fluid beneath the polyp, forming a “cushion” This raises the polyp slightly, separating it from healthy tissue and making it easier to remove without cutting too deep.

A few traditional submucosal injection solutions (SISs) already can provide temporary support, but they can diffuse quickly and require multiple injections. Hydrogels have been noted as potential replacement candidates for submucosal cushions due to their stability and capability of supporting the polyp for the duration of the ESD. Despite these advantages, many are too viscous to inject through the long catheters used in these procedures.

“We attempted to combat these pertinent issues by developing a novel hydrogel platform that is economical, versatile, and non-toxic to humans,” said Harshil Dave, a PhD student and co-first author of the study.

The team created the hydrogel using diglycerol monostearate (DGMS), a plant-based molecule that self-assembles. “DGMSH’s “shear-thinning” property allows it to flow easily under pressure and return to a gel-like state once the pressure is released, making it perfect for delicate endoscopic procedures,” said co-first author and PhD student Hitasha Vithalani. “This behaviour allows smooth clog-free injections through a range of catheter needles, forming a long-lasting cushion beneath polyps.”

“In addition to cellular studies, we tested the hydrogel and its efficacy in various animal models,” said Dr Indu Yadav, a postdoctoral fellow attached to the team. These include rats and porcine models that helped the team successfully create a DGMSH cushion that supports the endoscopic removal of polyps, controls bleeding, and allows for efficient resection.

Dr Abhinav Jain, a gastroenterologist associated with the study, believes that despite the DGMSH cushion being in its early stages, its effectiveness, scalability, long shelf life, and affordability make it a potential multipurpose tool for gastrointestinal treatments.

“We have filed a patent application related to this study and are applying for funding to undertake clinical trials soon,” said Prof Dhanka. His research group at IITGN’s Biomaterials and Drug Delivery Lab is currently looking into expanding on some aspects of this study to create targeted therapeutics for GIT disorders, cancers, diabetes, and other ailments.