Painless nerve growth factor to speed healing of broken bones
Therapeutic Application of Painless Nerve Growth Factor to Accelerate Endochondral Fracture Repair
An injectable biodegradable nanowire that slowly releases a painless form of nerve growth factor is being developed to help people with delayed or non-healing fractures heal faster.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11228403 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would receive an injection of tiny biodegradable nanowires placed near the fracture that slowly release a ‘painless’ version of nerve growth factor during the cartilage phase of bone healing. Researchers will run lab and preclinical studies to see if this local, sustained delivery speeds endochondral fracture repair and reduces the need for surgery. They will also check safety, how the material breaks down, and whether the drug causes pain or other off-target effects. If results are promising the team plans to move the approach toward clinical testing at UCSF and partner sites.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with long-bone fractures that are slow to heal or at high risk of non-union—such as older adults, people with diabetes, smokers, or those with vascular injury—are the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: Patients whose fractures are expected to heal normally, who require immediate surgical fixation, or who have contraindications to the injection materials likely will not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This approach could help slow-healing fractures close faster and reduce the need for additional surgical procedures.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical studies have shown NGF can speed fracture repair, but delivering a painless NGF via an injectable biodegradable nanowire is a novel approach that has not yet been proven in humans.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bahney, Chelsea Shields — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Bahney, Chelsea Shields
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.