A Phase I Open-label Study Evaluating the Safety of Acellular Adipose Tissue (AAT), a Novel Soft Tissue Reconstruction Solution, in Healthy Volunteers
A Phase I Open-label Study Evaluating the Safety of Acellular Adipose Tissue (AAT), a Novel Soft Tissue Reconstruction Solution, in Healthy Volunteers
The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and tolerability of acellular adipose tissue (AAT), intended for the repair of soft tissue defects in humans, in healthy volunteers. The investigators hypothesize that AAT will be safe and well tolerated upon injection into human soft tissue.
This is a 12-week, prospective, Phase I study in healthy volunteers assessing the safety and tolerability of acellular adipose tissue (AAT) intended for the repair of soft tissue defects in humans. Up to five (5) 2 milliliters (mL) subcutaneous injections of AAT will be administered into redundant tissues previously identified and scheduled for surgical removal in an elective surgical procedure.
Participants will be enrolled and assigned chronologically to one of five excision time points: Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 post-injection. Implants will be injected on Day 0. A safety visit will occur at 1 week post-injection; follow-up visits will occur at Weeks 2 and 4 (for patients who still have implants) post-injection and at time of tissue excision. At the end of their assigned study time point, participants will have all AAT implants removed simultaneously during their elective surgery. Implants will be assessed using histopathological analyses including hematoxylin and eosin staining and flow cytometry. The primary outcome of safety will be determined by the incidence and rate of adverse / unanticipated events. Secondary outcomes include histopathological assessment of the explanted implants and tolerability determined by participant-reported comfort and physician-reported ease-of-use with the intervention.
Inclusion Criteria:
Healthy men and women aged 18-65 years who have sought elective surgery for the removal of redundant tissue of the abdomen (abdominoplasty or panniculectomy) or arm (brachioplasty).
Willingness to delay elective surgery up to 12 weeks in order to participate in the study.
Consent to photography for research purposes.
Willingness to follow study requirements.
Ability to give informed consent.
Participants must be willing to perform follow up visits for up to 5 months.
Undergo complete blood count (CBC) with Differential and Serum Chemistry. (Results must fall within 1.5 times the normal ranges for all values for candidates to be eligible.)
Men and Women of reproductive potential: Willingness to use approved methods of birth control or abstain from sexual intercourse from screening until removal of the AAT implants.
Exclusion Criteria:
Patients seeking elective surgery for the removal of redundant tissue from areas other than the abdomen or arm.
Use of AAT in patients exhibiting autoimmune connective tissue disease is not recommended. When applied properly, AAT has been shown to support the migration of host cells from the surrounding tissue. Therefore, this study will exclude patients with conditions that could inhibit migration of host cells including, but not limited to, the following:
Pregnant or Lactating females
Inability to cooperate with and/or comprehend post-operative instructions
Inability to speak or read English
Known allergy or sensitivity to Penicillin, Streptomycin, or Amphotericin B
Any other reason the study physicians judge would be a contraindication for receiving AAT injections