Description:
- Orthopedic surgery
- Bone grafting
Abstract
USC researchers have developed a technology that combines the use of gene therapy and 3D printed scaffolds. The use of regional gene therapy allows the investigator to incorporate a gene such as a growth factor essential for bone formation. Once at the site, the gene would induce new bone formation. These technologies are crucial to the rapidly growing bone graft market which is expected to grow to $3.2 billion by 2022.
Benefit
- Greater patient satisfaction
- Improved patient outcomes
- Shorter recovery times
Market Application
Bone defects and inadequate bone formation may be caused by trauma, tumors, joint replacement, and limb reconstructive surgeries. The gold standard of corrective treatment is autologous bone grafting, a procedure where the patient is both the donor and recipient of the graft. The limitations to this procedure, however, are complications and pain associated with harvesting the graft. As a result, researchers have begun to look for less invasive methods. Approaches such as combining 3D printed bone grafts with stem cells have been used, but to date, they do not address the issue of long recovery periods.
Publications
Combination therapy with BMP-2 and a systemic RANKL inhibitor enhances bone healing in a mouse critical-sized femoral defect. Bone. (2016).
Other
Stage of Development
- Experimentally validated in mice