According to researchers, the world’s first clinical trial of a drug designed to grow tooth is set to begin in September at Kyoto University Hospital. This trial is being led by a team at the Medical Research Institute Kitano Hospital in Osaka. The team aims to commercialise the drug by 2030, specifically targeting people with congenital edentulism, a condition where individuals are born with fewer teeth than normal.

Congenital edentulism is hereditary disease and it affects approximately one in 1,000 people. Those born with this condition typically have six or more teeth missing, which can lead to difficulties in eating and proper jaw development. As adults, patients with congenital edentulism often rely on dentures or implants, as there is currently no cure available.

tooth
Image Source: BioTecNika

The research team is led by Katsu Takahashi, the head of the dentistry and oral surgery department at Kitano Hospital. Their research focused on a molecule known as USAG-1, which slows down the function of bone-forming proteins. By suppressing the effects of USAG-1, the team developed a drug that successfully generated teeth in both mice and a beagle dog during preclinical studies.

In the upcoming clinical trial, healthy adult participants will receive injections of the drug to see its safety and monitor if they develop any health issues. This phase of the trial is expected to continue until August 2025. After confirming the safety of the drug, the researchers plan to go to the next stage of testing, which will involve children aged 2 to 7 years old who have four or more teeth missing.

Researchers believe that the impact of this drug extends beyond congenital edentulism and it could also be effective for patients who have lost teeth due to gum disease or injuries. This application could significantly benefit a wider population suffering from various forms of tooth loss.

Takahashi expressed hope and optimism about the impact of the drug, stating, "We are hoping that the drug will be a third option that stands out from the existing treatments like dentures and implants." If successful, this drug could revolutionise dental treatments by offering a natural solution to tooth loss, compared to the current reliance on artificial replacements.

You might also be interested in - Japanese man who turned into a dog now aims to become a ‘panda’ or ‘fox’