Intradermal injection of autologus dermal fibroblasts improves wound healing in irradiated skin

grantor: University of TorontoThe combination of radiotherapy and surgical resection is effective in the management of several solid tumours. Despite its well-recognized benefits, the use of radiotherapy prior to surgery is associated with a high incidence of significant surgical wound healing complications. Radiation-induced damage to dermal fibroblasts has been proposed as an important cause. In this study, we investigate the effect of intradermal injection of autologous dermal fibroblasts in a rat model of combined preoperative irradiation and surgical wounding. Our results demonstrate that injection of normal, unirradiated fibroblasts significantly improves healing of the irradiated surgical wound. These cells are likely better able to respond to the proliferative, migratory and synthetic demands of the wound healing environment, as injection of irradiated cells has an equivalent effect on healing as injection of medium alone. Implantation of autologous fibroblasts may be a viable clinical option used to reduce the incidence of wound healing complications in surgical oncology patients undergoing preoperative radiotherapy.M.Sc