TOMSK, Feb 13 – RIA Tomsk. The prototype of a new-generation coronary stent, created in Tomsk, which is coated with nanoparticles that "destroy" atherosclerotic plaques, was tested for toxicity during preclinical studies; clinical trials should begin before 2020, the Doctor of Chemical Sciences of Tomsk Politechnic University (TPU) Marina Trusova reported to RIA Tomsk.
Earlier it was reported that TPU created a composite nanomaterial to fight against atherosclerotic plaques – the main cause of heart attacks and strokes. The scientists of TPU and Cardiology Research Institute proposed to apply it to the coronary stent, which is injected into the blood vessel affected by atherosclerosis. It expands the walls of the vessel. During the project, Tomsk citizens received the patent of the USA and Eurasia for the nanomaterial developed by them.
"We assembled a prototype of a stent. The nanoparticles on its surface penetrate into the structure of the atherosclerotic plaque and change its properties. It can be said that they physically break it. The plaque is destroyed and with the flow of blood is eventually removed from this place. <…> Now the stent passes preclinical tests. It is already known that it is non-toxic, safe for humans", – Trusova told.
She specified that nowaday in medicine stents are widely used with the addition of medications: "But drugs can give side effects. In general, a stent – is a support for the walls of the vessel, which makes it wider. In five to six years the plaque progresses, the stent needs to be changed. Our stent will "break" the plaque, relieve the patient from a new operation". According to Trusova, in Russia there is only one company that produces coronary stents, – Novosibirsk LLC Angioline.
"Residents of Novosibirsk manufactured a stent for us, which we modified with our nanomaterial. After all the tests it will be possible to produce stents of a new generation on this or any other site in Russia. Technology and materials are Russian, this is an import substitution", – she emphasized.
The project is implemented on the basis of TPU, Cardiology Research Institute and LLC "Nankor". In TPU on this project works a group of scientists of Research School of Chemistry & Applied Biomedical Sciences under the leadership of Trusova, as well as the staff of The Boris Weinberg Research Center under the leadership of Associate Professor Sergei Tverdokhlebov. The work was carried out at the expense of the Skolkovo Foundation and Bortnik Fund microgrants.At present, according to the words of Trusova, the project team is looking for an investor ready to take on the financing of the clinical tests of the prototype.