Scientists are making groundbreaking progress in the development of a drug that could potentially allow the regrowth of teeth. Clinical trials for this revolutionary drug are set to begin in July next year, with the goal of making it available for dentists to use by 2030. This drug would be a world-first, offering hope to people born with tooth anomalies affecting one percent of the global population.
The research, spearheaded by the Medical Research Institute Kitano Hospital in Osaka, Japan, aims to create a therapeutic drug for individuals who lack a full set of adult teeth due to congenital factors. People with anodontia, a condition where they completely lack natural teeth due to developmental influences before birth, face challenges in basic functions such as chewing, swallowing, and speaking from an early age. The common treatments include dentures and dental implants, but a drug enabling tooth regrowth could revolutionize dental care for such patients.
Dr. Katsu Takahashi, head of the dentistry and oral surgery department at the Medical Research Institute Kitano Hospital, has been working on this groundbreaking drug for years and expressed confidence in its potential success. Supported by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), the research aims to deliver a therapeutic drug to individuals with congenital edentulism through cooperation with multiple medical institutions and research centers across Japan.
The research team has already achieved promising results in animal models by targeting the USAG-1 gene, which restricts tooth growth in mice. By developing a neutralizing antibody medicine that blocks the action of USAG-1, they stimulated the regrowth of “third-generation” teeth in mice and ferrets, following baby teeth and permanent adult teeth. These achievements were published in the scientific journal Nature in 2021, garnering global attention from the scientific community.
A drug enabling tooth regrowth would be revolutionary, providing an alternative solution for people who have lost their teeth due to severe cavities or dental diseases. The focus is now on getting the drug ready for human use, with special attention on treating children aged 2 to 6 displaying signs of anodontia. Dr. Takahashi envisions a future where tooth-regrowth medicine becomes a viable third option alongside dentures and implants, offering individuals the chance to regain their natural teeth and significantly improving their quality of life. The research team aims to pave the way for the clinical use of this medicine, providing hope for those with tooth anomalies.
SOURCE: Ref Image from NYU Abu Dhabi
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