Toward Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) Combining Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMP) and Cells for Bone Regeneration

Cell-based implants with or without osteoinductive biomolecules on optimal carrier materials as an advanced therapeutic medicinal product (ATMP) are a promising strategy for poorly healing long-bone defects. This chapter will focus on ATMPs combining bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and progenitor cells for the clinical treatment of large bone defects in compromised environments. We describe BMP signaling involved in the process of bone fracture healing with specific emphasis on clinically relevant BMP ligands, followed by characterization and BMP responsiveness of progenitor cells obtained from different sources. Then we explore different biomaterials and their contribution to achieve optimal BMP release and osteoinduction. Finally, we provide a perspective on the applicability of ATMPs in bone repair by reviewing the preclinical studies carried out so far in various animal models. We believe the era of regenerative medicine has just started. First-generation BMP and stem cell technologies have demonstrated that in the postnatal environment, one can successfully enhance the healing of damaged tissues by recapitulating the principles of developmental tissue formation. A second generation of products is needed that leads to successful bone healing in compromised environments.

ISBN:978-3-319-47505-9

Publication year:2017

Accessibility:Open