Transdermal bFGF delivery using low-frequency sonophoresis: an innovative potential therapy for osteoradionecrosis of jaws

Publication date: Available online 6 October 2014 Source:Journal of Medical Hypotheses and Ideas Author(s): Zhihui Zhou , Weiwei Fan , Miaojie Lang , Yanliang Wang Osteoradionecrosis of jaws (ORNJ) is a serious complication of radiotherapy for patients with head and neck cancer. As of yet, no universally accepted treatment exists for this chronic pathologic condition. It has been shown that ultrasound is an effective, non-invasive adjunctive therapy in ORNJ, as ultrasound can result in the increase of angiogenesis and bone production, which are essential for ORNJ healing. Recently, low-frequency ultrasound has been demonstrated to enhance transdermal delivery of macromolecules and hydrophilic drugs (low-frequency sonophoresis, LFS). As a biological macromolecule, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) also has potential osteoinductive and angiogenic properties. Herein, we present a hypothesis that LFS-mediated transdermal bFGF delivery is capable of improving the healing of ORNJ and will be a new effective adjunctive therapy to surgery. This treatment combines low-frequency ultrasound with bFGF to respectively promote vascularly compromised bone and soft tissue wound healing, and is expected to be more effective than ultrasound therapy alone. Graphical abstract
Source: Journal of Medical Hypotheses and Ideas - Category: Research Source Type: research