Update

Research Stimulating new bone repair therapy

Dental surgeons and patients want to save teeth, but sometimes, after extraction following an abscess, severe gum disease, a serious facial incident or when reconstruction of the jaw is necessary following cancer surgery, it is just not possible. Few people welcome dentures and a bridge supported by adjacent teeth is sometimes an alternative, but probably the best long term solution following traumatic tooth loss is a dental implant, an 'endosseous' fixing.

A titanium coated peg is fixed directly into the jaw bone to take new teeth and the hope is that it will bond with the natural surrounding bone. But sometimes the peg becomes loose and starts to move. Because the mouth is full of bacteria, infection can then quickly establish, compromising the viability of the new teeth.

An innovative bone repair therapy developed by CellFactors, is likely to transform the outcome of these patients.

The product called 'Skeletex' is made with human cell derived material toxicology. The novel combination of nearly 100 proteins with bone growth factors, works by stimulating the formulation of healthy new cascularised bone in the jaw surrounding the dental implant.

Skeletex can be directly placed where needed in a variety of ways including by injection. Once in place and exposed to living bone marrow cells, Skeletex works harmoniously with the body's own natural repair system to stimulate the production of healthy new vascularised bone.

Neither immune rejection nor toxicity were an issue in the successful pilot pre-clinical studies just completed. This trial was analysed by Dr Geoffrey Craig, a consultant histopathologist at the University of Sheffield's School of Clinical Dentistry. 'In my view the findings suggest that placement of Skeletex has resulted in significant new bone formation supported by a profoundlyvascular stoma' says Dr Craig.

Fig 1 shows the 'in vivo' results that demonstrate the natural vascularised bone induced by Skeletex. This early result has now been repeated and confirmed in a more controlled manner. Further pre-clinical studies are underway including mandibular and periodontal models.

Figure 1

Results which demonstrate the natural vascularised bone induced by Skeletex.

CellFactors is focusing its initial clinical work on periodontal disease. Dental studies are good models for bone regeneration as they do not require extensive invasive surgery. Plus, it is also a real un-met need.

The company has had many approaches from the public who are themselves looking for solutions for their periodontal problems. Regulated clinical trials are set to take place in the UK in 2003.