Scaffolds for cell collection or elimination

Abstract

A device that includes a scaffold composition and a bioactive composition with the bioactive composition being incorporated therein or thereon, or diffusing from the scaffold composition such that the scaffold composition and/or a bioactive composition captures and eliminates undesirable cells from the body a mammalian subject. The devices mediate active recruitment, sequestration, and removal or elimination of undesirable cells from their host.

1 - 52 . (canceled) 
     
     
         53 . An implantable device for capturing mammalian cells in a host, comprising:
 a scaffold structure comprising a biocompatible polymer having pores with a diameter greater than 20 microns.   
     
     
         54 . The implantable device of  claim 53 , wherein the biocompatible polymer is biodegradable. 
     
     
         55 . The implantable device of  claim 53 , wherein the biocompatible polymer is selected from a group consisting of poly(lactide-co-glycolide), poly(lactide)s, poly(glycolide)s, poly(lactic acid)s, poly(glycolic acid)s, polyanhydrides, polyorthoesters, polyetheresters, polycaprolactones, polyesteramides, polycarbonates, polycyanoacrylates, polyurethanes, polyacrylates, polyamino acids, polypeptides, polyesters, polyanhydrides, polyphosphazines, poly(vinyl alcohols), poly(alkylene oxides), poly(allylamines), poly(acrylates), modified styrene polymers, pluronic polyols, polyoxamers, poly(uronic acids), poly(vinylpyrrolidone), and blends, combinations, or copolymers thereof. 
     
     
         56 . The implantable device of  claim 53 , wherein the biocompatible polymer comprises poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), collagen, fibrin, hyaluronic acid, agarose, laminin-rich gels, gelatin, alginate, natural polysaccharides, synthetic polysaccharides, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         57 . The implantable device of  claim 53 , wherein the biocompatible polymer comprises synthetic polymers and naturally-occurring polymers. 
     
     
         58 . The implantable device of  claim 53 , wherein the pores form a pattern throughout the scaffold structure, and wherein the pattern of the pores is homogeneous, heterogeneous, aligned, repeating, or random. 
     
     
         59 . The implantable device of  claim 53 , wherein the scaffold structure contains channels or paths for cell movement within the implantable device. 
     
     
         60 . The implantable device of  claim 53 , wherein physical or chemical properties of the scaffold structure are configured to control and direct migration of cells through the scaffold structure. 
     
     
         61 . The implantable device of  claim 53 , wherein the pores have a diameter greater than 100 microns. 
     
     
         62 . The implantable device of  claim 53 , wherein the scaffold composition is organized into compartments or layers having different permeabilities. 
     
     
         63 . The implantable device of  claim 53 , wherein the scaffold composition incorporates or is coated with a bioactive composition. 
     
     
         64 . The implantable device of  claim 63 , wherein the bioactive composition comprises molecules, cells, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         65 . A method of diagnosing disease comprising:
 administering the implantable device of  claim 53  to a host;   manipulating the device to yield captured content, wherein the captured content comprises mammalian cells in the host; and   identifying the mammalian cells based on molecular expression profiles or cell morphological features.   
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the implantable device is administered via subcutaneous or intraperitoneal injection or surgical implantation. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 65 , further comprising collecting the implantable device from the host. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the implantable device regulates capture or recruitment of the mammalian cells through the physical or chemical characteristics of the scaffold structure. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 65 , further comprising diagnosing diseased host tissues that contribute to sickle cell disease, leukemia, metastatic cancer, autoimmune conditions, or inflammatory disease. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 65 , further comprising diagnosing which tumor is contributing to metastasis. 
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein diagnosing which tumor is contributing to metastasis comprises diagnosing one or more of the following cancers: acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, adrenocortical carcinoma, AIDS-related cancer, AIDS-related lymphoma, anal, appendix, cerebellar astrocytoma, cerebral astrocytoma, basal cell carcinoma, bile duct, bladder, one, osteosarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, brain stem glioma, brain, malignant glioma, ependymoma brain, medulloblastoma, supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumor, visual pathway and hypothalamic glioma, breast, bronchial adenomas, bronchial carcinoids, Burkitt's lymphoma, carcinoid tumor, gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor, carcinoma of unknown primary, central nervous system lymphoma, cervical, chronic lymphoid leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia, chronic myeloproliferative disorders, colon, colorectal, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, mycosis fungoides, Sezary syndrome, endometrial, ependymoma, esophageal, Ewing's family of tumors, extracranial germ cell tumor, extragonadal germ cell tumor, extrahepatic bile duct, interocular melanoma, retinoblastoma, eye, gallbladder, gastric (stomach), gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor, gastrointestinal stromal tumor, ovarian germ cell tumor, germ cell tumor, gestational trophoblastic tumor, glioma, hairy cell leukemia, head, neck, hepatocellular, Hodgkin's lymphoma, hypopharangeal, islet cell carcinoma (endocrine pancreas), Kaposi's sarcoma, kidney (renal cell), kidney, laryngeal, lip and oral cavity, liver, lung (small cell), lung (non-small cell), Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, melanoma, merkel cell carcinoma, mesothelioma, metastatic squamous neck cancer with occult primary, mouth, multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome, multiple myeloma, plasma cell neoplasm, myelodysplastic syndromes, myeloproliferative diseases, nasal cavity, paranasal sinus, nasopharyngeal, neuroblastoma, oral, oral cavity, oropharyngeal, ovarian, ovarian epithelial, ovarian low malignant potential tumor, pancreatic, parathyroid, penile, pharyngeal, pheochromocytoma, pineoblastoma, pituitary, pleuropulminary blastoma, prostate, rectal, renal pelvis and uterer, transitional cell cancer, rhabdomyosarcoma, salivary gland, soft tissue sarcoma, uterine sarcoma, skin (non-melanoma), small intestine, squamous cell carcinoma, T-cell lymphoma, testicular, throat, thymoma, thymoma carcinoma, thymic carcinoma, thyroid, unknown primary site cancer, unknown primary site carcinoma, urethral, uterine, vaginal, vulvar, and Wilm's tumor. 
     
     
         72 . The implantable device of  claim 63 , wherein the bioactive composition comprises one or more of cytokines and chemokines to attract immune cells or metastatic cancer cells. 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the implantable device further comprises a bioactive composition comprising one or more of cytokines and chemokines, and wherein the mammalian cells comprise one or more of an immune cell and metastatic cancer cell.