Investigating the role of PDGF as a potential drug therapy in bone formation and fracture healing.
BACKGROUND
Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) has been shown in vivo to increase bone formation and supplement fracture healing, and may have a role as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of bone loss and fracture healing in humans.


OBJECTIVE
A comprehensive review of the recent literature on the effect of PDGF on bone mineral density and fracture healing.


METHODS
In vitro and in vivo evidence was systematically collected using medical search engines MEDLINE/OVID (1950 to March 2008) and EMBASE (1980 to March 2008) databases.


CONCLUSIONS
Evidence to date suggests that PDGF-BB, and to a lesser extent PDGF-AA, may have potential therapeutic use in the treatment of osteoporosis and bone healing in humans. Additionally, by targeting alpha-receptors on osteoblasts, a potential anabolic effect on bone metabolism in humans can be anticipated; however, more research needs to be done to assess the role of beta-receptors in human bone.
Graham
Simon
S
Academic Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, University of Leeds, School of Medicine, Leeds General Infirmary Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds LS1 3EX, UK.
Leonidou
Andreas
A
Lester
Marie
M
Heliotis
Manolis
M
Mantalaris
Athanasios
A
Tsiridis
Eleftherios
E
D000818:Animals; D000077214:Becaplermin; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020574:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis
D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D020574:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis; C075278:platelet-derived growth factor A; D000077214:Becaplermin