Growth Factors
20 compounds in this family, each with its recorded mechanism, routes of administration, safety notes and references to published literature.
- AvoterminAvotermin (recombinant human TGF‑beta3) is an investigational growth‑factor therapy intended to improve the cosmetic appearance of surgical scars. In clinical studies it is given as a single intradermal injection to wound edges at the time of closure, with the aim of promoting scar‑free healing and producing smoother, less visible scars.
- Basic Fibroblast Growth FactorBasic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF, FGF‑2) is a naturally occurring protein that stimulates cell proliferation, angiogenesis and tissue repair. It is approved as a prescription drug and is being investigated in regenerative medicine approaches for skin disorders such as androgenetic alopecia and vitiligo, for dental pulp regeneration, and as an adjunct to platelet‑rich plasma in wound‑healing protocols.
- BizaxofuspBizaxofusp (also known as IL‑4(38‑37)-PE38KDEL, MDNA55) is an investigational fusion protein that couples a circularly permuted interleukin‑4 ligand to a truncated Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE38KDEL). It is designed to bind interleukin‑4 receptors that are over‑expressed on many solid tumours and certain leukaemias, delivering a potent toxin directly to the cancer cells. Current research focuses on intratumoral delivery for cancers such as breast, head‑and‑neck, glioma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.
- CenegerminCenegermin (Oxervate) is a prescription ophthalmic solution containing recombinant human nerve growth factor (rhNGF). It is approved for the treatment of neurotrophic keratopathy, a condition in which loss of corneal sensory nerve function leads to persistent epithelial defects and stromal ulceration. Clinical studies show that topical cenegermin can accelerate corneal healing and improve ocular surface health in both adult and pediatric patients with this rare, sight‑threatening disease.
- DapiclerminDapiclermin (also called repifermin, KGF‑2 or FGF‑10) is a recombinant human keratinocyte growth factor‑2 being investigated for topical use in epithelial repair. It is designed to stimulate epithelial cell proliferation and migration to accelerate wound closure, with research focusing on chronic venous ulcers and experimental models of dry eye disease.
- EmfilerminEmfilermin is an investigational recombinant form of human leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), a cytokine of the interleukin‑6 family. Administered by subcutaneous injection, it has been studied primarily in oncology settings to influence blood cell recovery after chemotherapy and, more recently, to test whether it can prevent chemotherapy‑induced peripheral neuropathy.
- EndostarEndostar is a recombinant form of human endostatin, an endogenous protein that blocks new blood‑vessel formation. It is approved for prescription use and administered by injection. Clinical research has explored its use mainly as an adjunct to chemotherapy or trans‑arterial chemoembolisation in cancers such as non‑small‑cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and it has been mentioned as a potential vascular‑targeted scar therapy.
- EndostatinEndostatin is a naturally occurring, collagen‑derived peptide that acts as an endogenous inhibitor of angiogenesis. It is investigated primarily as an anti‑angiogenic agent for cancer, ocular neovascular disorders, and obesity‑related vascular changes. The compound is not approved for therapeutic use and is employed in research settings via intravenous or subcutaneous administration of recombinant protein or labelled variants.
- Fibroblast growth factor-1Fibroblast growth factor‑1 (FGF‑1, also called acidic FGF) is an endogenous protein that promotes cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and tissue remodeling. It is being investigated for therapeutic use in conditions such as peripheral arterial disease, type‑2 diabetes, and bone disorders, but it remains an investigational compound without regulatory approval.
- Insulin-like growth factor IIInsulin-like growth factor II (IGF‑II) is a naturally occurring peptide hormone that promotes cell proliferation and fetal growth. It is studied primarily in research settings for its role in adrenal cancers, placental development, and neurodegenerative processes. IGF‑II circulates bound to soluble IGF‑II/M6P receptors and can act through membrane‑bound IGF‑II/M6P receptors to influence intracellular signaling pathways.
- NepiderminNepidermin is a recombinant analogue of human epidermal growth factor (EGF) investigated as an investigational peptide for promoting tissue repair. It binds the EGF receptor (ErbB1) and activates downstream pathways that stimulate cell proliferation, migration and angiogenesis, making it a candidate for enhancing wound healing and possibly other regenerative applications.
- Nerve Growth FactorNerve Growth Factor (NGF) is a neurotrophin that supports survival and regeneration of sensory neurons. Recombinant human NGF (cenegermin) is approved as a topical eye‑drop (Oxervate) for neurotrophic keratopathy, a condition with non‑healing corneal ulcers. Research also explores NGF inhibition for chronic pain and indirect strategies that raise NGF levels for neuroprotection, but these uses remain investigational.
- PaliferminPalifermin (Kepivance) is a recombinant keratinocyte growth factor approved as a prescription drug for the prevention and treatment of oral mucositis in patients receiving intensive chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. It belongs to the growth‑factor family and is administered intravenously to stimulate the repair of oral mucosal epithelium, thereby reducing the severity of mucosal injury caused by cancer therapy.
- ProgranulinProgranulin (PGRN) is a secreted glycoprotein growth factor that functions as an adipokine and a neurotrophic factor. It influences whole‑body metabolism, inflammation, and neuronal survival. Research focuses on its protective role in atherosclerosis and its potential as a disease‑modifying therapy for neurodegenerative disorders, especially frontotemporal dementia caused by GRN loss‑of‑function mutations.
- RepiferminRepifermin is a recombinant, truncated form of human keratinocyte growth factor‑2 (FGF‑10), classified as a growth‑factor biologic. It is being investigated for conditions involving epithelial injury, such as chemotherapy‑induced oral mucositis and chronic skin ulcers. The compound is administered intravenously, subcutaneously, or topically, but it has not received regulatory approval for any indication.
- RomurtideRomurtide is a synthetic muramyl‑dipeptide (MDP) analogue classified as an immunomodulatory peptide. It is approved for prescription use and administered intravenously or subcutaneously. The drug is used to stimulate immune cells, particularly to restore leukocyte and platelet counts in patients whose blood cells have been depleted by chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and has been explored for local immunotherapy of malignant pleural effusion.
- SpriferminSprifermin is a recombinant human fibroblast growth factor‑18 (rhFGF‑18) being investigated as a disease‑modifying osteoarthritis drug. Administered by intra‑articular injection into the knee, it aims to stimulate cartilage regeneration and slow structural deterioration in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis.
- Tengonermin
- TraferminTrafermin is a recombinant human basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF‑2) marketed as a prescription medication. It is applied by injection (intravenous, subcutaneous, intracordal) or topical spray and has been investigated for promoting tissue repair in settings such as postoperative fistulas, periodontal bone regeneration, voice cord lesions, and acute ischemic stroke. The product is approved in Japan for certain wound‑healing indications, while other uses remain experimental.
- VelaferminVelafermin is a recombinant human fibroblast growth factor‑20 (FGF‑20) analog under investigation for the prevention and treatment of oral and gastrointestinal mucositis associated with cancer therapy. It is administered intravenously as a protein drug and has been evaluated in pre‑clinical animal models and a phase I safety trial in patients undergoing high‑dose chemotherapy and autologous stem‑cell transplant.