A review of the clinical experience with recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor-BB (rhPDGF-BB) in orthopaedic bone repair and regeneration

Abstract

Recombinant human PDGF BB homodimer (rhPDGF-BB) is a potent chemotactic and mitogenic factor for cells crucial to musculoskeletal tissue repair, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), osteogenic cells, and tenocytes. Furthermore, rhPDGFBB promotes angiogenesis by upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). These properties allow rhPDGF-BB to initiate the tissue repair and regeneration cascade, a mechanism of action that has been demonstrated through preclinical and clinical studies. The established mechanism of action and preclinical safety profile of rhPDGF-BB support clinical investigation of this molecule in diverse conditions that require osseous repair. Furthermore, the safety and efficacy profiles of rhPDGF-BB observed in the healing of chronic foot ulcers in diabetic patients along with previously reported preclinical data in orthopaedic models provide additional rationale to assess the application of rhPDGF-BB containing scaffolds in bone applications, including periodontal disease and end-stage ankle arthritis. Additional combinations of rhPDGF-BB with tissuespecific matrices are being studied in additional clinical musculoskeletal indications, such as rotator cuff repair involving tendon and bone integration. This paper reviews the clinical experience with rhPDGF-BB in bone repair. © 2013 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.