Microparticles supporting cells and active substances

Abstract

Microparticles including a biodegradable, biocompatible material having at least a portion of surface adapted to adhere to cells of interest or fragments thereof; and at least one substance active on the cells or their environment upon implantation of the microparticles in a patient associated with the material wherein the substances is released in a controlled and/or extended manner.

1 . Microparticles comprising: 
 a biodegradable, biocompatible material having at least a portion of a surface adapted to adhere to cells of interest or fragments thereof; and    at least one substance active on the cells or their environment upon implantation of the microparticles in a patient associated with the material wherein the substances is released in a controlled and/or extended manner.    
     
     
         2 . The microparticles according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one active substance is located on the surface of and/or incorporated in the microparticles.  
     
     
         3 . The microparticles according to  claim 1 , wherein the biodegradable, biocompatible material is a polymer or a copolymer.  
     
     
         4 . The microparticles according to  claim 3 , wherein the polymer or copolymer is selected from the group consisting of poly((α-hydroxyacids), polyesters, poly(phosphozenes), PLGA and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         5 . The microparticles according to  claim 4 , wherein the poly(α-hydroxyacid) is a polyactide or a polylactide co-glycolide.  
     
     
         6 . The microparticles according to  claim 4 , wherein the polyester is a poly ε-coprolactone or poly(orthoester).  
     
     
         7 . The microparticles according to  claim 1 , having a diameter between about 1 and about 500 μm.  
     
     
         8 . The microparticles according to  claim 1 , having a diameter between about 10 and about 500 μm.  
     
     
         9 . The microparticles according to  claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive coating on the material facilitating adhesion of the cells, said compound being active on said cells or fragments thereof.  
     
     
         10 . The microparticles according to  claim 1 , wherein the cells of interest are selected from the group consisting of adult cells, embryonic cells, transformed cell lines, stem cells, genetically modified cells, cells producing defective recombinant viruses for their replication, hepatocytes, islets of Langerhans, nerve cells, muscle cells, hemopoietic cells and bone cells.  
     
     
         11 . The microparticles according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one active substance is selected from the group consisting of immunomodulators, factors promoting survival of cells, agents toxic to cells, factors acting on tissue environment by diminishing immune reactions and rejection or by promoting integration by augmenting angiogenesis, and factors controlling expression of a gene present in a genetically modified cell.  
     
     
         12 . The microparticles according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one active substance is selected from the group consisting of growth factors, hormones and cytokines.  
     
     
         13 . The microparticles according to  claim 1 , wherein the cells of interest are autologous tumor cells obtained from primoculture of the tumor of the patient as a source of antigen.  
     
     
         14 . The microparticles according to  claim 1 , wherein the fragments are apoptotic bodies or membrane vesicles obtained from primoculture of a tumor.  
     
     
         15 . The microparticles according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one active substance is selected from the group consisting of pro-inflammatory cytokines and adjuvants.  
     
     
         16 . A pharmaceutical composition for tissue repair or gene transfer comprising the microparticles according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         17 . An antitumor vaccine comprising the microparticles according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         18 . A method of repairing tissue comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 16  to the patient.  
     
     
         19 . A method of transferring genes comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 16  to the patient.  
     
     
         20 . A method of vaccinating against tumors comprising administering an effective amount of the vaccine according to  claim 17  to the patient.