Poly(alpha-hydroxy acid) carrier for delivering recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 for bone regeneration

Autografting is the most common treatment to correct osseous defects, with donor sites of calvarium, iliac crest, and rib used most often [1]. While varying degrees of 'success' have been reported with this therapy, a universal concern is donor site morbidity, Allogeneic bank bone is an alternative to the autograft and while donor site morbidity is not an issue, bank bone has liabilities that make it less effective than the autograft. Therefore, an off-the-shelf product to replace these therapies would improve the quality of care for patients. Towards the development of such a product, we report on two studies that assessed a combination of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 delivered to osseous wound sites with a poly(alpha-hydroxy acid) carrier: poly(lactide-co-glycolide). Results from these studies indicate bone repair can be accomplished with this combination. However, despite a rich therapeutic promise, clinical utility must be amplified. Therefore, the focus of our attention in the future will be the delivery system.