Par
Lucie Fraisse
Published on
Dec 19 2024 at 7:12 a.m.
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It was a major operation, the consequences of which Catherine was still suffering almost three years later. Treated in Toulouse, she was operated on in 2022, after a recurrence of gum cancer.
“The bone had been affected by cancer, it had to be removed,” she explains. I had a facial reconstruction by removing ten centimeters of my fibula, which was placed in my jaw. »
10 hours of operation and a long journey
A complex 10-hour operation which involved several surgeons. Catherine was then placed in intensive care, with a tracheotomy for several days to be able to breathe, then had a nasogastric tube to feed herself.
“I had to stop working for a year and a half. Today, I am still doing rehabilitation with a physiotherapist. It is a long and trying journey, including morally. »
A project bringing together caregivers, researchers and industrialists
An obstacle course – familiar to patients affected by oral cancer who must resort to facial reconstruction – which could soon be a thing of the past. A team of caregivers, researchers and industrialists is in fact working on a project that could change everything in the care of patients.
The Bioface project is carried by the Professor Agnès Dupret-Borieswho works in the ENT and head and neck surgery department at Oncopole, in Toulouse. She was notably part of the team which carried out a complete nasal reconstruction using 3D printed biomaterial, in 2022.
With Bioface, we plan to reconstruct facial bones affected by cancer, with a tailor-made technique using biomaterials, some of which are 3D printed. We could then avoid bone grafts and removals, which are inaccessible to certain patients and which fail for one in ten patients.
Combination of several biomaterials
Carrying out facial reconstruction using biomaterials after cancer is quite a challenge. Particularly because the areas to be replaced have often been damaged by radiotherapy and that the implants must also withstand post-operative radiation sessions.
A challenge that the Bioface project wants to address by combining several biomaterials. A hydroxyapatite implant first (a bioceramicmixture of calcium and phosphate), 3D printed, custom. Then a titanium implant, for a fixation system adapted to the patient.
Then a membrane d’albuminea completely natural material which allows optimal tissue regeneration. An antimicrobial spray will be applied to the various implants, before or during their placement, in order to prevent infections.
Winner of the RHU 2023, supported by the State
This ambitious project, which is only in its infancy, benefits from the University Hospital Research 2023 (RHU 2023) label, which combines academic, hospital and business sectors to improve patient care.
As such, it benefits from State funding of 4.395 million euros, for a total cost of 13.4 million euros.
Tests on pets
Launched last June, the first clinical studies of Bioface are in the preparatory phase. Particularity of the project: tests will be carried out on companion animals.
« Cats and dogs also suffer from oral cancerunderlines Professor Agnès Dupret-Bories. We will be able to carry out implantation tests on cats and dogs to refine the surgical procedure before moving on to the first tests in humans, which will limit tests on laboratory animals. »
“It’s an immense hope”
The first implantation tests in humans should take place in 2029, on twelve patients.
“For me it’s too late, I’m not going to do everything again,” smiles Carherine who is now involved in Corasso, an association which supports and informs people affected by head and neck cancer. But for all patients who will need facial reconstruction after cancer, this is immense hope! It is the promise of more reliable, less devastating and less traumatic reconstruction. »
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