Fracture healing on the fast track

The local application of deferoxamine (DFO) significantly accelerates fracture healing, as a systematic review and meta-analysis of 21 studies compiled by Dr. Paula Hoff and Dr. Timo Gaber from DRFZ and Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin shows. Given the high incidence of bone fractures and the associated complications, DFO is a promising treatment option, especially for patients with delayed healing. The results of this work have been published in the journal Advanced Science.

In a systematic review and meta-analysis conducted by Daniel Müller and colleagues, the influence of locally applied DFO on bone healing in rat and mouse models was investigated. The analysis of 21 studies with a total of 539 animals shows that DFO achieves significantly higher values of bone volume fraction (BV/TV) and improves important parameters such as bone volume, tissue mass, bone density, trabecular structure and vascularization – confirmed by state-of-the-art µCT, angiography and mechanical stress tests. With an annual fracture incidence of 1.2 % and complications in up to 10 % of cases, especially after radiotherapy, these results represent a decisive advance in orthopaedics.

This study not only investigates the biological mechanism of improved fracture healing, but also paves the way for rapid clinical application – with the aim of supporting patients at high risk of healing complications.