PEG Fusion Technique for Peripheral Nerve Injury

Overseen by Wesley Thayer, MD, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Phase 1

Recruiting

Sponsor: Vanderbilt University

Must not be taking: Chemotherapy, Radiation

Disqualifiers: Diabetes, Neuromuscular disease, others

No Placebo Group

Approved in 2 Jurisdictions

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new treatment using PEG to help repair completely severed nerves in humans. PEG helps the nerve cells reconnect quickly, speeding up healing and improving recovery. PEG has been used in various animal models to improve outcomes in nerve repair by enabling immediate reconnection of injured nerve cells.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you are undergoing treatments like chemotherapy or radiation therapy, you would be excluded from the trial.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment for peripheral nerve injury?

Research shows that polyethylene glycol (PEG) can help repair severed nerves by fusing them back together, leading to faster and better recovery of nerve function. Studies in animals and some human cases have shown improved sensory and motor recovery, suggesting PEG could be a promising treatment for nerve injuries. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is polyethylene glycol (PEG) safe for use in humans for nerve repair?

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) has been used in studies for nerve repair and has shown promising results in improving nerve recovery. However, some patients experienced side effects like edema (swelling) and scar development, which improved over time. Overall, PEG is considered a promising and generally safe option for nerve repair, but more research is needed to fully understand its safety profile in humans. ^{2 3 4 5 6}

How is the PEG Fusion Technique for Peripheral Nerve Injury different from other treatments?

The PEG Fusion Technique is unique because it uses polyethylene glycol (PEG) to rapidly fuse severed nerve ends, restoring nerve function much faster than traditional methods that rely on slow nerve regeneration. This approach can prevent muscle atrophy and improve sensory and motor recovery significantly quicker than conventional treatments. ^{1 3 4 7 8}

Research Team

Wesley Thayer, MD, PhD

Principal Investigator

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals with a specific type of severe nerve injury in the upper extremity, known as Sunderland Class 5. They must be candidates for immediate surgery, with injuries no older than 72 hours and ready to commit to a year-long treatment and evaluation schedule. Excluded are those with contaminated wounds, inadequate tissue coverage, diabetes, neuromuscular diseases, or undergoing treatments affecting neural growth.

Inclusion Criteria

I am a candidate for immediate surgery.

My injury was treated within the last 3 days.

I had surgery to repair a nerve within 2 days of being injured.

Exclusion Criteria

Patients currently enrolled in another investigational study

My surgery is planned to be done in stages.

I may not be able to finish the usual occupational therapy program.

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Epineural repair using PEG for sensory nerve injuries in the upper extremity, with variations in timing and use of autografting

Up to 72 hours post-injury

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, with primary outcome measured by MRCC

12 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Polyethylene glycol (PEG) (Hydrophilic Polymer)

Trial Overview The study tests polyethylene glycol (PEG) assisted axonal fusion technique for repairing peripheral nerve injuries. It aims to see if this method can rapidly restore function after an injury by immediately fusing severed nerves together during surgery.

Participant Groups

Group I: epineural repair with autografting within 48 hours, using PEG Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

epineural repair with auto grafting within 48 hours

Group II: epineural repair >24 but <72 hours using PEG Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

epineural repair following treatment with standard epineural repair using PEG in sensory nerve injuries in the upper extremity in short-term acute injuries (repaired \>24 hours but \< 72 hours after injury); PEG is used during the surgical procedure

Group III: epineural repair <24 hours using PEG Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

epineural repair following treatment with standard epineural repair using PEG in sensory nerve injuries in the upper extremity in short-term acute injuries (repaired \<24 hours after injury); PEG is used during the surgical procedure

Group IV: standard epineural repair <24 hours Active Control 1 Intervention

epineural repair following treatment with standard epineural repair alone in sensory nerve injuries in the upper extremity in short-term acute injuries (repaired \<24 hours after injury); no medication used

Group V: epineural repair with autografting within 48 hours Active Control 1 Intervention

epineural repair with auto grafting within 48 hours; no medication used

Group VI: standard epineural repair >24 - 72 hours Active Control 1 Intervention

epineural repair following irrigation with standard epineural repair alone in sensory nerve injuries in the upper extremity in short-term chronic injuries (\>24-\<72 hours after injury); no medication used

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Vanderbilt University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

714

Recruited

6,143,000+

Robert L. Caldwell

Vanderbilt University

Chief Executive Officer since 2003

PhD in Pathology from Vanderbilt University

Rick Wright

Vanderbilt University

Chief Medical Officer since 2023

MD from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

922

Recruited

939,000+

Jeffrey R. Balser

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Chief Executive Officer since 2009

MD and PhD from Vanderbilt University

Rick W. Wright

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Chief Medical Officer since 2023

MD from University of Missouri-Columbia

Findings from Research

In a study involving male Lewis rats with transected median nerves, polyethylene glycol (PEG) fusion significantly improved functional recovery compared to standard suture repair, with grip strength recovery reaching 77.2% by postoperative day 98 in the PEG group.

Both PEG and PEG combined with methylene blue (PEG+MB) led to a quicker return of nerve function, with grip strength recovery observed as early as postoperative day 3.8, while the standard repair group showed minimal recovery until day 21.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Polyethylene Glycol Fusion Restores Axonal Continuity and Improves Return of Function in a Rat Median Nerve Denervation Model. Frost, C., Salous, A., Ketheeswaran, S., et al.[2023]

In a study involving 29 rats with sciatic nerve repairs, PEG hydrogel showed a significant reduction in scar tissue formation compared to fibrin glue, suggesting it may promote better healing conditions.

Both PEG hydrogel and fibrin glue resulted in similar muscle strength recovery after 10 weeks, indicating that PEG hydrogel is as effective as fibrin glue for nerve repair.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Preliminary investigation of a polyethylene glycol hydrogel "nerve glue". Isaacs, J., Klumb, I., McDaniel, C.[2021]

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) has been shown to enhance the repair of severed peripheral nerves in vertebrate models, indicating its potential as a therapeutic agent in nerve regeneration.

In a study using B35 rat neuroblastoma cells, higher concentrations of PEG (50%, 75%, and 100%) increased cell fusion but also decreased cell viability, highlighting a trade-off between effective fusion and cell health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Analysis of polyethylene glycol (PEG) fusion in cultured neuroblastoma cells via flow cytometry: Techniques & optimization. Hoffman, AN., Bamba, R., Pollins, AC., et al.[2018]

Using polyethylene glycol (PEG) for nerve repair in two patients with total loss of sensation showed rapid improvement in sensory function, with significant recovery observed as early as 3 days post-surgery.

PEG-mediated fusion repair prevents Wallerian degeneration and muscle atrophy, suggesting a potential shift in treatment for peripheral nerve injuries by allowing faster and more effective recovery compared to traditional methods.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Rapid and effective fusion repair of severed digital nerves using neurorrhaphy and bioengineered solutions including polyethylene glycol: A case report. Lopez, S., Bittner, GD., Treviño, RC.[2023]

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) has shown significant potential in enhancing nerve regeneration after peripheral nerve injuries, as it helps restore axon continuity and inhibits Wallerian degeneration, based on a review of 16 animal studies and one human study.

Most studies reported favorable outcomes with PEG treatment, indicating its effectiveness in improving nerve function, although further research is needed to clarify optimal timing for treatment after injury.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Polyethylene Glycol: The Future of Posttraumatic Nerve Repair? Systemic Review. Paskal, AM., Paskal, W., Pietruski, P., et al.[2023]

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) significantly improves recovery after peripheral nerve repair, with the best outcomes observed when PEG is applied within 48 hours post-injury, as shown in a study involving 24 rats.

The addition of 20Hz electrical stimulation further enhances recovery, leading to better functional scores and muscle weight compared to PEG alone, indicating that combining these treatments can optimize nerve repair outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The outcome of polyethylene glycol fusion augmented by electrical stimulation in a delayed setting of nerve repair following neurotmesis in a rat model. Acharya, N., Acharya, AM., Bhat, AK., et al.[2023]

In a rat model of sciatic nerve injury, polyethylene glycol (PEG) was found to rapidly restore axonal continuity within minutes, showing significant improvements in nerve function over 12 weeks compared to traditional repair methods.

PEG treatment led to a notable increase in motor axon counts and restored behavioral functions by up to 50%, suggesting it could greatly enhance the management of traumatic peripheral nerve injuries.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Immediate Enhancement of Nerve Function Using a Novel Axonal Fusion Device After Neurotmesis. Riley, DC., Boyer, RB., Deister, CA., et al.[2022]

PEG-fusion repair techniques can rapidly restore axonal continuity and signaling within minutes after nerve transections, leading to significant behavioral recovery over weeks, challenging traditional views on nerve injury recovery.

Unlike conventional methods, PEG-fusion allows for successful integration of donor nerve allografts without the need for tissue matching or immunosuppression, suggesting a new approach to treating peripheral nerve injuries.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Conundrums and confusions regarding how polyethylene glycol-fusion produces excellent behavioral recovery after peripheral nerve injuries. Bittner, GD., Sengelaub, DR., Ghergherehchi, CL.[2020]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Polyethylene Glycol Fusion Restores Axonal Continuity and Improves Return of Function in a Rat Median Nerve Denervation Model. [2023]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Preliminary investigation of a polyethylene glycol hydrogel "nerve glue". [2021]

3. Scotland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Analysis of polyethylene glycol (PEG) fusion in cultured neuroblastoma cells via flow cytometry: Techniques & optimization. [2018]

4. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Rapid and effective fusion repair of severed digital nerves using neurorrhaphy and bioengineered solutions including polyethylene glycol: A case report. [2023]

5. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Polyethylene Glycol: The Future of Posttraumatic Nerve Repair? Systemic Review. [2023]

6. Austria pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The outcome of polyethylene glycol fusion augmented by electrical stimulation in a delayed setting of nerve repair following neurotmesis in a rat model. [2023]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Immediate Enhancement of Nerve Function Using a Novel Axonal Fusion Device After Neurotmesis. [2022]

8. India pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Conundrums and confusions regarding how polyethylene glycol-fusion produces excellent behavioral recovery after peripheral nerve injuries. [2020]