Osteogenic Protein-1 (OP-1) as a replacement for iliac autograft in lumbar posterolateral spinal fusion: Overview and review of preclinical and clinical studies
Osteogenic Protein-1 (OP-1) is a commercially available alternative to autograft for use in lumbar posterolateral spinal fusion procedures. It is intended to minimize pseudarthrosis risk and obviate the difficulties and complications associated with autograft harvest. OP-1, also known as Bone Morphogenetic Protein-7 (BMP-7), has undergone extensive preclinical and clinical evaluation. In animal models, OP-1 has been associated with spinalfusion rates superior to those achieved using autograft in both primary fusions and pseudarthrosis repairs. Gene expression studies, also performed in animal models, have elucidated the biologic basis for these results. Human investigations have shown that OP-1 fusions rival those of autograft. Furthermore, safety and efficacy studies have established OP-1 as a viable replacement for autograft bone in lumbar posterolateral spinal fusions. Most recently, the human clinical trial data with four-year follow-up has demonstrated that the safety and clinical benefit associated with OP-1 is durable over a relatively long time period. It is anticipated that OP-1 will benefit patients undergoing spinal fusion by lowering the rate of pseudarthrosis and by averting the well-established morbidity associated with autograft harvest.
