In recent years, significant progress has been made on the research of Bone Morphogenetic Protein-7, BMP-7 (OP-1). BMP-7 is a growth- and differentiating-factor and a member of the TGF-β or Transforming Growth Factor-beta Superfamily. Ever since recombinantly produced human BMP-7 (rhBMP-7) became available in the early 1990s research in this area intensified. Many publications and presentations were issued detailing the ability of rhBMP-7 to induce new bone formation and to investigate this as an option to solve a wide variety of orthopedic problems. BMP-7's activity in bone regeneration has been established through numerous animal trials. Work has been presented on the potency of rhBMP-7 in joint revision arthroplasty, fracture healing and spinal fusion. rhBMP-7 has been investigated in a prospective controled human trial as an alternative for autograft in the treatment of tibial non-unions. In the not too distant future surgeons may have a new tool available in their daily practice for stimulating regeneration of bone and other skeletal tissue, though still many question on issues like dosing, predictability of outcomes, suitable indications and surgical techniques remain yet unanswered.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.