autologous auricular chondrocytes

Autologous auricular chondrocytes are a personalized cell therapy derived from a patient's own ear cartilage. The therapeutic process involves harvesting a small sample (approximately 1 cm²) of auricular cartilage, isolating the chondrocytes, and expanding them in vitro, often using autologous serum to accelerate proliferation while avoiding xenogenic contamination. These expanded cells can be delivered as a gel-form mass or seeded onto various biocompatible scaffolds, such as hyaluronic acid, gelatin methacryloyl, or polycaprolactone, to facilitate tissue regeneration. A distinctive clinical approach involves a two-stage transplantation method where the cultured cells are first injection-implanted into the patient's subcutaneous tissue (typically the lower abdomen) to mature into a stable neocartilage mass over several months. This regenerated tissue is then harvested, sculpted, and implanted into the target site for reconstructive purposes. The therapy is primarily investigated for craniofacial and airway reconstruction, including microtia repair, nasal augmentation, chin reconstruction, and laryngotracheal repair.

Other names

cultured autologous auricular chondrocytesCACautologous cell-engineered chondrocytes