Fast-Acting Bioadhesive Stops Bleeding in 5 Seconds | New Cancer Treatment Potential

A new powder-type bioadhesive developed by researchers in South Korea promises to stop bleeding in as little as five seconds, even in wet conditions. The innovation, stemming from Kyungpook National University, goes beyond simple hemostasis, offering potential applications in drug delivery and even cancer treatment.

Professor Lee Chang-gyu’s team in the Department of Innovative New Pharmacology created the bioadhesive using a technique called ‘Bioorthogonal Click Chemistry.’ This involves combining albumin and gelatin into a multifunctional powder that reacts rapidly upon contact with moisture. The research, published recently in Advanced Healthcare Materials (Impact Factor=9.6), details the material’s ability to not only staunch blood flow but also to deliver therapeutic agents.

Current adhesives used for wound closure and bleeding control, such as fibrin-based glues and cyanoacrylates, often struggle to maintain their adhesive strength in the presence of blood or other bodily fluids. They can also require significant time to fully harden, hindering their effectiveness in emergency situations. Some existing materials also raise concerns due to toxicity or a lack of flexibility, limiting their suitability for use on delicate tissues.

The newly developed powder circumvents these limitations. It consists of a mixture of albumin, gelatin, and a specialized polymer material called 4-arm PEG-DBCO. Crucially, the powder remains inert in a dry state. However, when exposed to moisture – like that found in blood – a remarkably fast crosslinking reaction occurs, transforming the powder into a solid gel within five seconds. This rapid solidification is key to its effectiveness in controlling hemorrhage.

The potential of this material extends far beyond simply stopping bleeding. Researchers successfully loaded the powder with a near-infrared ray-sensitive material (ICG) and demonstrated its ability to induce photothermal therapy (PTT). PTT utilizes laser irradiation to generate heat, selectively killing residual cancer cells after surgical removal. The team successfully affixed a small electronic chip (RFID) to an organ’s surface using the adhesive, suggesting its potential for securing next-generation implantable devices.

Animal studies have confirmed the bioadhesive’s efficacy. In models of liver and gastrointestinal bleeding, the powder demonstrated a strong hemostatic effect, achieving bleeding control in under five seconds. Importantly, the material is naturally broken down by the body within two weeks, eliminating the need for surgical removal – a common concern with some existing adhesives.

To facilitate commercialization, Professor Lee Chang-gyu established Quickderm, a start-up company based at the university. The company has been selected for the Startup Growth Technology Development Project (Stepping Stone R&D) by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and is currently focused on product development.

“We have solved the limitation of existing materials, where adhesion decreases in a moisture environment, using the principle of click chemistry,” Professor Lee Chang-gyu stated. “We expect that it can be applied not only to hemostasis but also to various medical fields such as drug delivery and electronic device implantation.”

This research received support from multiple sources, including the Ministry of SMEs and Startups’ Startup Growth Technology Development Project (Stepping Stone R&D), the 4th stage BK21 project (Regional Innovation Leading Research Center) of the Ministry of Education and the National Research Foundation of Korea, and the Daegu RISE project.

The development of this rapid-acting bioadhesive represents a significant advancement in hemostatic technology. Its ability to function effectively in wet environments, coupled with its potential for drug delivery and device integration, positions it as a promising tool for surgeons, emergency medical personnel, and potentially, for patients undergoing a range of medical procedures. Further research and clinical trials will be necessary to fully evaluate its safety and efficacy in humans, but the initial findings suggest a substantial step forward in the field of wound care and surgical intervention.

The speed at which this adhesive works is particularly noteworthy. Traditional methods of achieving hemostasis, even with advanced materials, often require several minutes to effectively stop bleeding. The ability to achieve control in seconds could be critical in trauma situations where rapid intervention is paramount.

While the research highlights the potential for cancer treatment through photothermal therapy, it’s important to note that this application is still in the early stages of development. The successful demonstration of RFID chip adhesion, however, opens up exciting possibilities for the future of implantable medical devices, potentially leading to more secure and reliable integration with the body.