Regenerative medicine

Curr Eye Res. 2016 Jul;41(7):875-82. The purpose of this work is to describe and review the technology of plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF), a novel blood derivative product, in the treatment of ocular surface disorders.

Curr Pharm Biotechnol. 2016;17(12):1068-1078 Ultraviolet irradiation is able to deeply penetrate into the dermis and alter fibroblast structure and function, leading to a degradation of the dermal extracellular matrix.

Eur J Plast Surg 39, 173–180 (2016). Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a common hair disorder. Finasteride and minoxidil have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of AGA. However, some side effects have been related to the intake of these drugs. Recently, plasma rich in growth factors has emerged as a safe alternative for the management of pattern hair loss. The purposes of the present study are to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of plasma rich in growth factors (PRGFs) versus topical minoxidil treatment in AGA-affected patients.

Acta Ophthalmol. 2015 Dec;93(8):e605-14. The use of blood derivatives represents an alternative therapeutic approach that is gaining interest in regenerative medicine due to its potential to stimulate and accelerate tissue healing. Autologous serum eye drops and platelet-enriched plasma eye drops are being used in the treatment of different ophthalmological disorders. In this review, we summarize the different blood-derived formulations used in the treatment and care of ocular surface disorders. The biological basis and use of autologous serum and plasma rich in growth factors are deeply evaluated as well as the challenges to be addressed in the future in this new generation of blood-derived therapies.

Trends Biotechnol. 2015 Sep;33(9):492-5. The Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS) has drawn up a comprehensive report and resolution that regulates for the first time the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as a human-use medicinal product. This regulatory framework offers emerging challenges to adapt the use of PRP to the new requirements of safety and efficacy. The heterogeneity of the different products can hinder their regulation, which today differs substantially in the different worldwide regulatory frameworks.

Arthrosc Tech. 2014 Dec 15;3(6):e713-7. We describe a new technique of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) infiltration for the treatment of severe knee osteoarthritis. PRP intra-articular infiltration is a promising treatment for knee osteoarthritis, but it still has some limitations in high-degree osteoarthritis. Diagnosis of osteoarthritis is based on clinical and radiographic findings, and patients with grade III or IV knee tibiofemoral osteoarthritis based on the Ahlbäck scale are considered candidates for this technique.

Arthroscopy. 2013 Oct;29(10):1635-43. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety in a randomized, clinical trial of 3 injections of PRGF-Endoret (BTI Biotechnology Institute, Vitoria, Spain) versus one single intra-articular injection of Durolane hyaluronic acid (HA) (Q-MED AB, Uppsala, Sweden) as a treatment for reducing symptoms in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Arthroscopy. 2012 Aug;28(8):1070-8. This multicenter, double-blind clinical trial evaluated and compared the efficacy and safety of PRGF-Endoret (BTI Biotechnology Institute, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain), an autologous biological therapy for regenerative purposes, versus hyaluronic acid (HA) as a short-term treatment for knee pain from osteoarthritis.

Cornea. 2011 Dec;30(12):1312-7. To evaluate the efficacy of plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) for the treatment of moderate/severe dry eye.