Basic fibroblast growth factor treatment for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug associated gastric ulceration

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Regenerative Medicine
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-associated gastric ulcers are a common clinical challenge.
• Ulcers resistant to conventional treatment or those that relapse pose significant therapeutic difficulties.
• Angiogenic proteins like basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) show potential for tissue repair.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of an acid-stable form of bFGF in treating NSAID-associated gastric ulcers.
• To assess the healing of gastric ulcers resistant to or relapsed after conventional treatments.

Main Methods:

• An open, pilot study involving five patients with nine gastric ulcers.
• Treatment with oral, acid-stable bFGF for a duration of four weeks.
• Monitoring for safety, tolerability, and systemic absorption.

Main Results:

• Oral bFGF treatment was found to be safe and well tolerated.
• No evidence of systemic absorption of bFGF was detected.
• After four weeks, four out of nine ulcers healed completely.
• The remaining ulcers showed an 89% mean reduction in area.

Conclusions:

• Acid-stable oral bFGF is a potentially safe and effective therapeutic option for NSAID-associated gastric ulcers.
• The promising results warrant further investigation in a controlled, comparative trial.
• Novel growth factor-based therapies represent a promising avenue for refractory ulcer treatment.