Journal Article

Clinical validation of a nanodiamond-embedded thermoplastic biomaterial

Hsiou, Desiree, Chow, Edward Kai-Hua, Sung, Eric C., Miya, Darron, Lee, Dong-Keun, Liang, Zhangrui, Ho, Dean, Kee, Theodore, Wu, Brian, Kang, Mo K., Osawa, Eiji

2017

Overview

Detonation nanodiamonds (NDs) are promising drug delivery and imaging agents due to their uniquely faceted surfaces with diverse chemical groups, electrostatic properties, and biocompatibility. Based on the potential to harness ND properties to clinically address a broad range of disease indications, this work reports the in-human administration of NDs through the development of ND-embedded gutta percha (NDGP), a thermoplastic biomaterial that addresses reinfection and bone loss following root canal therapy (RCT). RCT served as the first clinical indication for NDs since the procedure sites involved nearby circulation, localized administration, and image-guided treatment progress monitoring, which are analogous to many clinical indications. This randomized, single-blind interventional treatment study evaluated NDGP equivalence with unmodified GP. This progress report assessed one control-arm and three treatment-arm patients. At 3-mo and 6-mo follow-up appointments, no adverse events were observed, and lesion healing was confirmed in the NDGP-treated patients. Therefore, this study is a foundation for the continued clinical translation of NDs and other nanomaterials for a broad spectrum of applications.

• Publisher: National Academy of Sciences
• Subject: Aged / Aged, 80 and over / Biocompatibility / Biocompatible Materials - administration & dosage / Biological Sciences / Biomaterials / Biomedical materials / Bone loss / Detonation / Diamonds / Drug delivery / Drug delivery systems / Drug Delivery Systems - methods / Electrostatic properties / Engineering / Female / Humans / Infection Control, Dental - methods / Male / Medical Sciences / Middle Aged / Nanodiamonds - administration & dosage / Nanomaterials / Nanomedicine - methods / Nanostructure / Nanotechnology / Patients / Physical Sciences / PNAS Plus / Root Canal Therapy - adverse effects / Root canals / Single-Blind Method / Thermoplastics / Validation studies / Wound Healing - drug effects