Localized delivery of anti-heparanase for inhibition of restenosis

We have used hydrogel systems to locally deliver a possible inhibitor of restenosis. This inhibitor is an antibody against the active site of platelet-derived heparanase. This enzyme is involved in the activation of basic fibroblast growth factor stored in the extracellular matrix following vascular injury. The antibody was found to inhibit bFGF release from the arterial wall and to decrease intimal thickening by 60% (n=7; p<0.00003).