CeNS Colloquium

Prof. Jean-Christophe Leroux, ETH Zürich

Liposome-supported peritoneal dialysis (LSPD) has recently emerged as a versatile biodetoxification platform for improving the peritoneal extraction of small ionizable molecules via the intraperitoneal instillation of transmembrane pH-gradient liposomes. In a proof-of-concept study, these scavenging vesicles efficiently trapped weak bases/acids (e.g. ammonia), and were subsequently withdrawn together with their toxic cargo at the end of the dialysis session¹. In this seminar, we will discuss the translational potential of LSPD for treating hyperammonemia-associated hepatic encephalopathy, a life-threatening condition arising from impaired liver functions². The initial steps towards the clinical development of this technology will be presented. These include the optimization of the manufacturing process, the assessment of efficacy and safety in appropriate animal models, the evaluation of interferences with drugs commonly administered to liver impaired patients, and characterization of the extraction fingerprint of LSPD fluids.

This work was supported by Versantis AG, the Swiss National Science Foundation (31003A_124882), Swiss Commission for Technology and Innovation (17525.1 PFLS-LS), and the OPO Foundation.

1. Forster V. et al., Sci. Transl. Med. 2014, 6: 258ra141.

2. Agostoni V. et al., Adv. Funct. Mater. 2016, 26:8357.