Drug that regrows teeth: A potential breakthrough by 2030

The story of a drug enabling teeth to regrow may sound like a fantasy, but Japanese scientists believe it could soon become a reality. Researchers from Kyoto University Hospital and the University of Fukui are working on this groundbreaking drug.

The drug, which could revolutionize the dental industry, might be available by 2030. However, one crucial step remains before completing the testing phase - trials on humans.

Researchers discovered that an antibody for one gene, the uterine sensitization associated gene-1 (USAG-1), can stimulate tooth growth in mice suffering from tooth agenesis, a congenital disease. Their findings were published in Science Advances.

The inspiration for the Japanese scientists was the dental anomalies that occasionally occur in nature. Sometimes, people are born with extra teeth, or they experience the sudden growth of unexpected teeth. The researchers studied the genetic causes of cases involving an excess number of teeth.

According to Katsu Takahashi, one of the lead authors of the study and a senior lecturer at Kyoto University's Graduate School of Medicine, the fundamental molecules responsible for tooth development have been identified. Several of these molecules regulate the growth of various organs and tissues during fetal development.

"Ferrets are diphyodont animals with similar dental patterns to humans ... antibodies on other animals such as pigs and dogs," explains Takahashi.

The intravenous drug, meant to stimulate tooth regrowth, will now undergo another crucial testing phase. The first research group, composed of 30 men aged 30 to 64 who have lost at least one molar, might start treatment later this year.

Source: science.org