Matisse I European project for the creation of a new bioprothese for breast reconstruction

The MAT(T)ISSE project aims at creating a novel bioprosthesis - class 3 medical implant - the aim of which is to help the human body to restore zones of damaged tissue following curative surgical procedures. Such tissue restoration is made possible through the autologous harvesting of fat cells (adipose tissue), which are reimplanted on a textile structure in the form of a synthetic and resorbable mesh. This structure is combined with a 3D bioresorbable and tailored shell structure that marks out the volume to be reconstructed. The resorbable shell eventually disappears so that the patient recovers a naturally shaped breast thanks to the regeneration of her own cells.

Context

Europe is among the regions of the world with the highest incidence of breast cancer. In Europe, one in eight women suffers from breast cancer. Mastectomy is the most widely performed curative surgery (73% of diagnosed patients). It is a particularly burdensome procedure for the patient.

Currently, only 20% of women benefit from breast reconstruction, for which three main techniques are used: silicon breast implant, autologous transfer of vascularised tissue and autologous transfer of non-vascularised fat tissue (lipofilling). Both transfer techniques have drawbacks, as do silicon implants, which are, by nature, foreign bodies and associated with a number of specific risks.

Consequently, these techniques fail to satisfy the needs and the requirements of healthcare professionals and patients looking for alternative solutions.

The challenge of MAT(T)ISSE is to design a solution capable of resorbing after facilitating the natural filling of lost tissue volume by the patient’s own cells, and without toxicity.

Objective

• To develop a bioresorbable implant (partly printed via additive manufacturing) on a base of the patient’s own fat tissue.
• To define a surgical protocol.
• To control biocompatibility and material degradation.

The MAT(T)ISSE project focuses on application in breast implants; however, partners are also looking into other future applications for reconstructive implants (therapeutic and cosmetic surgery), since the model developed in this project may be transposable to other parts of the body (face, buttocks, etc.).

Approach

To achieve these aims, the MAT(T)ISSE project involves 4 key actions:

• The definition of protocols and the screening of resorbable biomaterials.
• The development of new biomaterials, be they in the form of resorbable and biocompatible polymers, wire and mesh, or 3D-printed shells made from the same biomaterials.
• The surgical validation by the CHU (Teaching Hospital) in Lille of the prosthesis’s various by-products, via preclinical test protocols and biological tests.
• The modelling of the MAT(T)ISSE medical device in order to supply solutions for tailor-designing 3D prostheses.

Funding

Reference

Project name: Mat(t)isse - 3D Matrices for tissue reconstruction. Application to breast reconstruction.