Researchers have developed a novel injectable paste derived from human skin cells that could help restore breast volume following tumor removal, potentially reducing scarring and recovery time compared with traditional reconstructive procedures. The study was recently published in ACS Applied Bio Materials.
“By promoting blood vessel growth and tissue remodeling while keeping inflammation low and reducing capsular contracture, the injectable acellular matrix could make breast reconstruction safer, less invasive, and more accessible, improving long-term comfort and cosmetic outcomes for patients,” said Pham Ngoc Chien, one of the study’s lead researchers.
Breast cancer treatment often requires removing cancerous tissue, which can result in partial or total breast loss. Patients seeking to maintain breast shape may undergo breast-conserving surgery, where remaining tissue is rearranged, or tissue grafts using skin and fat from other body areas. While effective, these techniques often leave additional scars and require longer recovery.
A promising alternative is acellular dermal matrix (ADM), skin processed to remove cells while retaining key components such as collagen, elastin, and growth factors that aid healing. Currently, ADM is mostly available as sheets for tendon repair or plastic surgery. Chien, Chan-Yeong Heo, and colleagues aimed to create an injectable ADM suitable for filling spaces left after tumor removal.
The team processed donated human skin by decellularizing, freezing, and pulverizing it into fine particles, then combined it with water to form a thick paste. When small amounts of this paste were injected into rats, researchers found no adverse health effects over six months. Moreover, the new ADM paste produced thinner tissue layers around the injection site compared with commercially available ADM products—an advantage in breast reconstruction, as thinner tissue reduces the risk of complications such as infection or hematoma.
While longer-term safety trials and more extensive testing are needed before clinical use, the study highlights the potential for injectable ADM to transform breast reconstruction surgery, making it less invasive and improving cosmetic outcomes.
The research was funded by the Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, and human skin sample use was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Seoul Asan Hospital.
