Fibroblast Growth Factor Aids Periodontal Tissue Healing
BY LAUREN UZDIENSKI, NOVEMBER 18, 2010
A study conducted at the Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry in Japan identified the topical application of fibroblast growth factor-2 as an efficacious solution for tissue healing in patients with periodontitis.
The study enrolled 253 adult patients scheduled for periodontal surgery. During the procedure, an investigational formulation containing 0% (vehicle alone), 0.2%, 0.3%, or 0.4% FGF-2 was applied to vertical bone defects. The authors concluded that each dose of FGF-2 showed "significant superiority over vehicle alone for the percentage of bone fill at 36 weeks." The best results were seen in the 0.3% FGF-2 group.
The authors reported no clinical safety problems, including an abnormal increase in alveolar bone or ankylosis.
This study is meaningful because, as Science Daily reports, "a variety of regenerative approaches have been used clinically using bone grafts and guiding tissue membranes with limited success." The Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Dental research, where this study was published, adds, "The tissue engineering technology has important ramifications in the treating of localized bone defects around teeth resulting from periodontal disease."
The study design was also rather ambitious. With 253 patients enrolled, this was the "largest study to date in the field of periodontal regenerative therapy." Additionally, the study was randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled.
The results further previous data on FGF, which is manufactured by a Japanese company called Kaken Pharmaceuticals. The company's periodontitis indication is currently in phase III, and they have phase II studies in progress for bone fractures and lumbar stenosis. Sunstar Inc., based in Osaka, licensed the North American and European dental rights in 2007.
