Collagenase Nanocapsules: An Approach to Fibrosis Treatment

TL;DR

This paper introduces collagenase nanocapsules designed for sustained enzyme release, significantly improving fibrosis treatment efficacy in mice compared to free enzyme injections.

Contribution

It presents a novel nanocapsule-based delivery system for collagenase, enabling prolonged enzyme activity and enhanced anti-fibrotic effects in a murine model.

Findings

Nanocapsules achieve up to ten days of enzyme release.

Enhanced fibrosis reduction in mice compared to free enzyme.

Potential for reducing injection frequency in fibrosis therapy.

Abstract

Fibrosis is a common lesion in different pathologic diseases and is defined by the excessive accumulation of collagen. Different approaches have been used to treat different conditions characterized by fibrosis. FDA and EMA approved collagenase to treat palmar fibromatosis, Dupuyten disease. EMA approved additionally its use in severe Peyronie disease, but it has been used off label in other conditions.1, 2. Approved treatment includes up to 3, in palmar fibromatosis or up to 8, in penile fibromatosis, injections followed by finger extension or penile modelling procedures, typically causing severe pain. Frequently single injections are enough to treat palmar fibromatosis. 3, The need to inject repeatedly doses of this enzyme can be originated by by the labile nature of collagenase which exhibits a complete activity loss after short periods of time. Herein, a novel strategy to manage this enzyme based on the synthesis of polymeric nanocapsules which contains collagenase housed within their matrix is presented. These nanocapsules have been engineered for achieving a gradual release of the encapsulated enzyme for longer times which can be up to ten days. The efficacy of these nanocapsules have been tested in murine model of local dermal fibrosis yielding higher fibrosis reduction in comparison with the injection of free enzyme which represent a significant improvement over conventional therapy.