ArticleJournal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society2022
Recombinant fibroblast growth factor-18 (sprifermin) enhances microfracture-induced cartilage healing.
Article in Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
9 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 14 citations in OpenAlex.
- Preclinical Use of FGF-18 Augmentation for Improving Cartilage Healing Following Surgical Repair: A Systematic Review.Cartilage · 2023Pooled it
- The use of molecular cues to regenerate musculoskeletal tissues.Innovative surgical sciences · 2026Review
- Polymeric nanoparticles-based targeted delivery of drugs and bioactive compounds for arthritis management.Future science OA · 2025Review
- Molecular mechanisms and treatment strategies for discogenic lumbar pain.Immunologic research · 2025Review
- Fibroblast growth factor 18 stimulates chondrocyte proliferation by modulating FOXN2 to mitigate post-traumatic osteoarthritis in a mouse model.Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology · 2025Article
- Single Injection AAV2-FGF18 Gene Therapy Reduces Cartilage Loss and Subchondral Bone Damage in a Mechanically Induced Model of Osteoarthritis.Current gene therapy · 2024Article
- Recent development in multizonal scaffolds for osteochondral regeneration.Bioactive materials · 2023Review
- Small molecule inhibitors of osteoarthritis: Current development and future perspective.Frontiers in physiology · 2023Review
- Repurposed and investigational disease-modifying drugs in osteoarthritis (DMOADs).Therapeutic advances in musculoskeletal disease · 2022Review
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Authors and funding
6 authors at 4 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
Abstract
Posttraumatic osteoarthritis is a disabling condition impacting the mostly young and active population. In the present study, we investigated the impact of intra-articular sprifermin, a recombinant truncated fibroblast growth factor 18, on the outcome of microfracture treatment, a widely used surgical technique to enhance cartilage healing at the site of injury. For this study, we created a cartilage defect and performed microfracture treatment in fetlock joints of 18 horses, treated joints with one of three doses of sprifermin (10, 30, or 100 μg) or with saline, hyaluronan, and evaluated animals functional and structural outcomes over 24 weeks. For primary outcome measures, we performed histological evaluations and gene expression analysis of aggrecan, collagen types I and II, and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein in three regions of interest. As secondary outcome measures, we examined animals' lameness, performed arthroscopic, radiographic, and computed tomography (CT) scan imaging and gross morphology assessment. We detected the highest treatment benefit following 100 μg sprifermin treatment. The overall histological assessment showed an improvement in the kissing region, and the expression of constitutive genes showed a concentration-dependent enhancement, especially in the peri-lesion area. We detected a significant improvement in lameness scores, arthroscopic evaluations, radiography, and CT scans following sprifermin treatment when results from three dose-treatment groups were combined. Our results demonstrated, for the first time, an enhancement on microfracture outcomes following sprifermin treatment suggesting a cartilage regenerative role and a potential benefit of sprifermin treatment in early cartilage injuries.
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