Use of BMPs and bisphosphonates to improve bone fracture healing

Abstract

In orthopaedics, focus is often placed on increasing bone formation by an anabolic drug like the recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP). However, premature or excessive bone resorption, due to stress-shielding, instability or infection/inflammation can lead to poor, delayed, or absent bone union. Anti-catabolic drugs such as bisphosphonates have therefore been explored to improve bone repair. This short review discusses the current literature underlying the anaboliccatabolic paradigm for bone repair with a focus on BMP and bisphosphonate combination approaches.