Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor

Summary

Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF, FGF-2) is a pleiotropic heparin-binding growth factor that stimulates angiogenesis, wound healing, neurogenesis, and tissue regeneration. It is approved in Japan (Trafermin) for pressure ulcers and burns. It is widely used as a research reagent in cell culture and stem cell biology, and is under investigation for cardiovascular, neurological, and orthopedic applications.

Mechanism of Action

Binds to fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR1-4) and heparan sulfate proteoglycans, activating intracellular tyrosine kinase signaling cascades (RAS/MAPK, PI3K/AKT, PLCγ/PKC) to promote cell proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, and tissue repair.

Routes of Administration

Goals & Uses

• Wound Healing / Pressure Ulcer TreatmentDermatology / Tissue RepairHigh
• Angiogenesis / NeovascularizationCardiovascularModerate
• Neuroprotection and Neural RepairNeurologyLow
• Bone and Cartilage RegenerationOrthopedicsModerate
• Burns TreatmentDermatology / Wound CareHigh
• Stem Cell Maintenance and ExpansionCell Biology / ResearchHigh

Contraindications

• Active malignancyOncologyHighUse caution or avoid depending on agent and context
• Hypersensitivity to bFGF or Formulation ExcipientsAllergy / ImmunologyHigh
• PregnancyPopulationModeratePotential fetal risk or insufficient safety data
• Proliferative RetinopathyOphthalmologyModerate

Adverse Effects

• Fever / PyrexiaSystemicUncommon
• ProteinuriaRenalUncommon
• Local Injection Site ReactionsDermatologicalCommon
• Antibody FormationImmunologicalUncommon
• HypotensionCardiovascularUncommonLow blood pressure
• Theoretical Oncogenic RiskOncologyUnknown

Drug Interactions

• HeparinModerate
• CorticosteroidsModerate
• VEGF Inhibitors (e.g., Bevacizumab)Low

Population Constraints

• Pediatric patientsAgeRelative
• Pregnant and Lactating WomenReproductiveRelative
• Diabetic PatientsMetabolicRelative
• Patients with History of MalignancyOncologyRelative

Regulatory Status

• European UnionInvestigationalNot EMA-approved. Under investigation; available as a research-grade biologic.
• United StatesInvestigationalNot FDA-approved as a therapeutic. Used as a research reagent and investigated in clinical trials for cardiovascular and wound healing indications.
• United KingdomInvestigationalNot MHRA-approved as a therapeutic product. Research and investigational use only.

Trafermin (recombinant human bFGF) is approved in Japan by PMDA for dermal wound healing. Not approved by FDA or EMA as a therapeutic agent; classified as investigational or research-use in US and EU contexts. Used extensively as a laboratory reagent.

Evidence & Sources

No sources recorded yet.