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Becaplermin, sold under the brand name Regranex, is a cicatrizant, available as a topical gel. Regranex is a human platelet-derived growth factor indicated along with good wound care for the treatment of lower extremity diabetic neuropathic ulcers. It is also known as "platelet-derived growth factor BB".

Medical uses

Becaplermin is used for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. Studies of becaplermin showed that when used with good wound care, complete healing significantly increased and the ulcers healed on average 6 weeks faster. Pharmacoeconomic studies reinforce the cost effectiveness of becaplermin as an adjunct to good wound care.

The amount of becaplermin to be applied will vary depending upon the size of the ulcer area. Becaplermin should be stored in the refrigerator. Analysis of healing human wounds showed that PDGF-BB induces fibroblast proliferation and differentiation and was found to increase healing in patients with decreased healing capacity, such as people living with diabetes.

Contraindications

Becaplermin must not be used at the site of a skin cancer.

Adverse effects

The most common side effects in clinical studies were erythematous rashes.

A boxed warning has been added to the US FDA prescription label to describe an increase rate of death from cancer when three or more tubes are used.

References

1. ^ "Regranex- becaplermin gel". DailyMed. 11 December 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
2. Nagai MK, Embil JM (February 2002). "Becaplermin: recombinant platelet derived growth factor, a new treatment for healing diabetic foot ulcers". Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy. 2 (2): 211–8. doi:10.1517/14712598.2.2.211. PMID 11849120. S2CID 28408255.
3. Wieman TJ, Smiell JM, Su Y (May 1998). "Efficacy and safety of a topical gel formulation of recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor-BB (becaplermin) in patients with chronic neuropathic diabetic ulcers. A phase III randomized placebo-controlled double-blind study". Diabetes Care. 21 (5): 822–7. doi:10.2337/diacare.21.5.822. PMID 9589248. S2CID 20595962.
4. Persson U, Willis M, Odegaard K, Apelqvist J (2000). "The cost-effectiveness of treating diabetic lower extremity ulcers with becaplermin (Regranex): a core model with an application using Swedish cost data". Value in Health. 3 (Suppl 1): 39–46. doi:10.1046/j.1524-4733.2000.36027.x. PMID 16464208.
5. Heldin CH, Westermark B. Mechanism of action and in vivo role of platelet-derived growth factor. Physiol Rev. 1999;79:1283-1316.
6. ^ FDA Professional Drug Information for Regranex.
7. Waknine Y (9 June 2008). "Diabetic Ulcer Gel Gets Black Box Warning". Medscape.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: overridden setting (link)

• Medicine

• Dermatologic drugs