Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery 12/2012

01-12-2012 | Orthopaedic Surgery

Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 versus autogenous iliac crest bone graft for lumbar fusion: a meta-analysis of ten randomized controlled trials

Authors: Zhiguang Chen, Gen Ba, Tao Shen, Qin Fu

Published in: Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery | Issue 12/2012

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) as a substitute for iliac crest bone graft (ICBG) has been increasingly widely used in lumbar fusion. It has been proven non-inferior in fusion success and clinical outcomes when compared with ICBG. However, increasingly, some potentially uncommon and serious complications associated with the use of rhBMP-2 have been of great concern to surgeons. The purpose of this study was to determine whether rhBMP-2 could be considered an effective and, more importantly, a relatively safe substitute for ICBG in lumbar fusion.

Methods

Randomized controlled trials that compared rhBMP-2 with ICBG for lumbar fusion were identified by computer and manual searching. The risk of bias and clinical relevance of the included studies were assessed. Publication bias was explored using funnel plot and statistical tests (Egger’s test and Begg’s test). Meta-analyses were performed using the Cochrane systematic review methods.

Results

Ten randomized controlled trials (1,342 patients) met the inclusion criteria. Compared with ICBG, the use of rhBMP-2 significantly decreased the risk of fusion failure at all time intervals (6 months: p < 0.0001, RR = 0.55, 95 % CI = 0.42–0.72; 12 months: p = 0.0003, RR = 0.53, 95 % CI = 0.37–0.75; 24 months: p < 0.00001, RR = 0.31, 95 % CI = 0.21–0.46) and the rate of reoperation (p = 0.0001, RR = 0.52, 95 % CI = 0.37–0.72). There was no statistical difference in clinical improvement on the Oswestry Disability Index, although a favorable trend in the rhBMP-2 group was found (p = 0.12, RR = 0.73, 95 % CI = 0.49–1.08). Subgroup analyses stratified by the type of surgical procedure yielded similar results. Owing to the different data formats, meta-analysis on adverse events was not performed.

Conclusion

RhBMP-2 was superior to the ICBG for achieving fusion success and avoiding reoperation. However, evidence from the Food and Drug Administration document and subsequent independent studies has demonstrated that original, industry-sponsored trials underestimated rhBMP-2-related adverse events. There are still security risks in the use of rhBMP-2.
Literature
2.
13.
go back to reference Sampath TK, Coughlin JE, Whetstone RM, Banach D, Corbett C, Ridge RJ, Ozkaynak E, Oppermann H, Rueger DC (1990) Bovine osteogenic protein is composed of dimers of OP-1 and BMP-2A, two members of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily. J Biol Chem 265(22):13198–13205PubMed Sampath TK, Coughlin JE, Whetstone RM, Banach D, Corbett C, Ridge RJ, Ozkaynak E, Oppermann H, Rueger DC (1990) Bovine osteogenic protein is composed of dimers of OP-1 and BMP-2A, two members of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily. J Biol Chem 265(22):13198–13205PubMed
14.
go back to reference Boden SD, Kang J, Sandhu H, Heller JG (2002) Use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 to achieve posterolateral lumbar spine fusion in humans: a prospective, randomized clinical pilot trial: 2002 Volvo Award in clinical studies. Spine 27(23):2662–2673. doi:10.1097/00007632-200212010-00005 PubMedCrossRef Boden SD, Kang J, Sandhu H, Heller JG (2002) Use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 to achieve posterolateral lumbar spine fusion in humans: a prospective, randomized clinical pilot trial: 2002 Volvo Award in clinical studies. Spine 27(23):2662–2673. doi:10.​1097/​00007632-200212010-00005 PubMedCrossRef
15.
go back to reference Dimar JR, Glassman SD, Burkus KJ, Carreon LY (2006) Clinical outcomes and fusion success at 2 years of single-level instrumented posterolateral fusions with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2/compression resistant matrix versus iliac crest bone graft. Spine 31(22):2534–2539. doi:10.1097/01.brs.0000240715.78657.81 (discussion 2540)PubMedCrossRef Dimar JR, Glassman SD, Burkus KJ, Carreon LY (2006) Clinical outcomes and fusion success at 2 years of single-level instrumented posterolateral fusions with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2/compression resistant matrix versus iliac crest bone graft. Spine 31(22):2534–2539. doi:10.​1097/​01.​brs.​0000240715.​78657.​81 (discussion 2540)PubMedCrossRef
17.
go back to reference Burkus JK, Sandhu HS, Gornet MF, Longley MC (2005) Use of rhBMP-2 in combination with structural cortical allografts: clinical and radiographic outcomes in anterior lumbar spinal surgery. J Bone Joint Surg Am 87(6):1205–1212. doi:10.2106/JBJS.D.02532 PubMedCrossRef Burkus JK, Sandhu HS, Gornet MF, Longley MC (2005) Use of rhBMP-2 in combination with structural cortical allografts: clinical and radiographic outcomes in anterior lumbar spinal surgery. J Bone Joint Surg Am 87(6):1205–1212. doi:10.​2106/​JBJS.​D.​02532 PubMedCrossRef
19.
go back to reference Fairbank JC, Couper J, Davies JB, O’Brien JP (1980) The Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire. Physiotherapy 66(8):271–273PubMed Fairbank JC, Couper J, Davies JB, O’Brien JP (1980) The Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire. Physiotherapy 66(8):271–273PubMed
29.
30.
go back to reference Dimar JR 2nd, Glassman SD, Burkus JK, Pryor PW, Hardacker JW, Carreon LY (2009) Two-year fusion and clinical outcomes in 224 patients treated with a single-level instrumented posterolateral fusion with iliac crest bone graft. Spine J 9(11):880–885. doi:10.1016/j.spinee.2009.03.013 PubMedCrossRef Dimar JR 2nd, Glassman SD, Burkus JK, Pryor PW, Hardacker JW, Carreon LY (2009) Two-year fusion and clinical outcomes in 224 patients treated with a single-level instrumented posterolateral fusion with iliac crest bone graft. Spine J 9(11):880–885. doi:10.​1016/​j.​spinee.​2009.​03.​013 PubMedCrossRef
31.
go back to reference Dimar JR 2nd, Glassman SD, Burkus JK, Pryor PW, Hardacker JW, Carreon LY (2009) Clinical and radiographic analysis of an optimized rhBMP-2 formulation as an autograft replacement in posterolateral lumbar spine arthrodesis. Journal Bone Joint Surg Am 91(6):1377–1386. doi:10.2106/JBJS.H.00200 CrossRef Dimar JR 2nd, Glassman SD, Burkus JK, Pryor PW, Hardacker JW, Carreon LY (2009) Clinical and radiographic analysis of an optimized rhBMP-2 formulation as an autograft replacement in posterolateral lumbar spine arthrodesis. Journal Bone Joint Surg Am 91(6):1377–1386. doi:10.​2106/​JBJS.​H.​00200 CrossRef
32.
go back to reference Glassman SD, Dimar JR, Carreon LY, Campbell MJ, Puno RM, Johnson JR (2005) Initial fusion rates with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2/compression resistant matrix and a hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate/collagen carrier in posterolateral spinal fusion. Spine 30(15):1694–1698. doi:10.1097/01.brs.0000172157.39513.80 PubMedCrossRef Glassman SD, Dimar JR, Carreon LY, Campbell MJ, Puno RM, Johnson JR (2005) Initial fusion rates with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2/compression resistant matrix and a hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate/collagen carrier in posterolateral spinal fusion. Spine 30(15):1694–1698. doi:10.​1097/​01.​brs.​0000172157.​39513.​80 PubMedCrossRef
33.
go back to reference Dawson E, Bae HW, Burkus JK, Stambough JL, Glassman SD (2009) Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 on an absorbable collagen sponge with an osteoconductive bulking agent in posterolateral arthrodesis with instrumentation. A prospective randomized trial. J Bone Joint Surg Am 91(7):1604–1613. doi:10.2106/JBJS.G.01157 PubMedCrossRef Dawson E, Bae HW, Burkus JK, Stambough JL, Glassman SD (2009) Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 on an absorbable collagen sponge with an osteoconductive bulking agent in posterolateral arthrodesis with instrumentation. A prospective randomized trial. J Bone Joint Surg Am 91(7):1604–1613. doi:10.​2106/​JBJS.​G.​01157 PubMedCrossRef
34.
go back to reference Glassman SD, Carreon LY, Djurasovic M, Campbell MJ, Puno RM, Johnson JR, Dimar JR (2008) RhBMP-2 versus iliac crest bone graft for lumbar spine fusion: a randomized, controlled trial in patients over 60 years of age. Spine 33(26):2843–2849. doi:10.1097/BRS.0b013e318190705d PubMedCrossRef Glassman SD, Carreon LY, Djurasovic M, Campbell MJ, Puno RM, Johnson JR, Dimar JR (2008) RhBMP-2 versus iliac crest bone graft for lumbar spine fusion: a randomized, controlled trial in patients over 60 years of age. Spine 33(26):2843–2849. doi:10.​1097/​BRS.​0b013e318190705d​ PubMedCrossRef
36.
go back to reference Meyerding HW (1956) Spondylolisthesis; surgical fusion of lumbosacral portion of spinal column and interarticular facets: use of autogenous bone grafts for relief of disabling backache. Journal Int Coll Surg 26(5 Part 1):566–591 Meyerding HW (1956) Spondylolisthesis; surgical fusion of lumbosacral portion of spinal column and interarticular facets: use of autogenous bone grafts for relief of disabling backache. Journal Int Coll Surg 26(5 Part 1):566–591
38.
go back to reference Boden SD, Martin GJ Jr, Morone MA, Ugbo JL, Moskovitz PA (1999) Posterolateral lumbar intertransverse process spine arthrodesis with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2/hydroxyapatite-tricalcium phosphate after laminectomy in the nonhuman primate. Spine 24(12):1179–1185. doi:10.1097/00007632-199906150-00002 PubMedCrossRef Boden SD, Martin GJ Jr, Morone MA, Ugbo JL, Moskovitz PA (1999) Posterolateral lumbar intertransverse process spine arthrodesis with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2/hydroxyapatite-tricalcium phosphate after laminectomy in the nonhuman primate. Spine 24(12):1179–1185. doi:10.​1097/​00007632-199906150-00002 PubMedCrossRef
39.
go back to reference Martin GJ Jr, Boden SD, Marone MA, Moskovitz PA (1999) Posterolateral intertransverse process spinal arthrodesis with rhBMP-2 in a nonhuman primate: important lessons learned regarding dose, carrier, and safety. J Spinal Disord 12(3):179–186. doi:10.1097/00002517-199906000-00001 PubMed Martin GJ Jr, Boden SD, Marone MA, Moskovitz PA (1999) Posterolateral intertransverse process spinal arthrodesis with rhBMP-2 in a nonhuman primate: important lessons learned regarding dose, carrier, and safety. J Spinal Disord 12(3):179–186. doi:10.​1097/​00002517-199906000-00001 PubMed
43.
44.
go back to reference Suh DY, Boden SD, Louis-Ugbo J, Mayr M, Murakami H, Kim HS, Minamide A, Hutton WC (2002) Delivery of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 using a compression-resistant matrix in posterolateral spine fusion in the rabbit and in the non-human primate. Spine 27(4):353–360. doi:10.1097/00007632-200202150-00006 PubMedCrossRef Suh DY, Boden SD, Louis-Ugbo J, Mayr M, Murakami H, Kim HS, Minamide A, Hutton WC (2002) Delivery of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 using a compression-resistant matrix in posterolateral spine fusion in the rabbit and in the non-human primate. Spine 27(4):353–360. doi:10.​1097/​00007632-200202150-00006 PubMedCrossRef
47.
48.
go back to reference Chen NF, Smith ZA, Stiner E, Armin S, Sheikh H, Khoo LT (2010) Symptomatic ectopic bone formation after off-label use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. J Neurosurg Spine 12(1):40–46. doi:10.3171/2009.4.SPINE0876 PubMedCrossRef Chen NF, Smith ZA, Stiner E, Armin S, Sheikh H, Khoo LT (2010) Symptomatic ectopic bone formation after off-label use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. J Neurosurg Spine 12(1):40–46. doi:10.​3171/​2009.​4.​SPINE0876 PubMedCrossRef
49.
go back to reference Kanatani M, Sugimoto T, Kaji H, Kobayashi T, Nishiyama K, Fukase M, Kumegawa M, Chihara K (1995) Stimulatory effect of bone morphogenetic protein-2 on osteoclast-like cell formation and bone-resorbing activity. J Bone Miner res 10(11):1681–1690. doi:10.1002/jbmr.5650101110 PubMedCrossRef Kanatani M, Sugimoto T, Kaji H, Kobayashi T, Nishiyama K, Fukase M, Kumegawa M, Chihara K (1995) Stimulatory effect of bone morphogenetic protein-2 on osteoclast-like cell formation and bone-resorbing activity. J Bone Miner res 10(11):1681–1690. doi:10.​1002/​jbmr.​5650101110 PubMedCrossRef
50.
go back to reference Burkus JK, Gornet MF, Schuler TC, Kleeman TJ, Zdeblick TA (2009) Six-year outcomes of anterior lumbar interbody arthrodesis with use of interbody fusion cages and recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2. J Bone Joint Surg Am 91(5):1181–1189. doi:10.2106/JBJS.G.01485 PubMedCrossRef Burkus JK, Gornet MF, Schuler TC, Kleeman TJ, Zdeblick TA (2009) Six-year outcomes of anterior lumbar interbody arthrodesis with use of interbody fusion cages and recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2. J Bone Joint Surg Am 91(5):1181–1189. doi:10.​2106/​JBJS.​G.​01485 PubMedCrossRef
52.
54.
go back to reference Smoljanovic T, Siric F, Bojanic I (2010) Six-year outcomes of anterior lumbar interbody arthrodesis with use of interbody fusion cages and recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2. J Bone Joint Surg Am 92(15):2614–2615 (author reply 2615–2616)PubMed Smoljanovic T, Siric F, Bojanic I (2010) Six-year outcomes of anterior lumbar interbody arthrodesis with use of interbody fusion cages and recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2. J Bone Joint Surg Am 92(15):2614–2615 (author reply 2615–2616)PubMed
56.
go back to reference Food and Drug Adminstration. (2011). Food and Drug Administration Executive Summary for P050036 Medtronic’s AMPLIFY_ rhBMP-2 matrix orthopaedic and rehabilitation devices advisory panel. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/downloads/AdvisoryCommittees/Committees MeetingMaterials/MedicalDevices/MedicalDevicesAdvisoryCommittee/OrthopaedicandRehabilitati-onDevicesPanel/UCM220079.pdf. Accessed July 9, 2011 Food and Drug Adminstration. (2011). Food and Drug Administration Executive Summary for P050036 Medtronic’s AMPLIFY_ rhBMP-2 matrix orthopaedic and rehabilitation devices advisory panel. Available at: http://​www.​fda.​gov/​downloads/​AdvisoryCommitte​es/​Committees MeetingMaterials/MedicalDevices/MedicalDevicesAdvisoryCommittee/OrthopaedicandRehabilitati-onDevicesPanel/UCM220079.pdf. Accessed July 9, 2011
59.
go back to reference Mulconrey DS, Bridwell KH, Flynn J, Cronen GA, Rose PS (2008) Bone morphogenetic protein (RhBMP-2) as a substitute for iliac crest bone graft in multilevel adult spinal deformity surgery: minimum two-year evaluation of fusion. Spine 33(20):2153–2159. doi:10.1097/BRS.0b013e31817bd91e PubMedCrossRef Mulconrey DS, Bridwell KH, Flynn J, Cronen GA, Rose PS (2008) Bone morphogenetic protein (RhBMP-2) as a substitute for iliac crest bone graft in multilevel adult spinal deformity surgery: minimum two-year evaluation of fusion. Spine 33(20):2153–2159. doi:10.​1097/​BRS.​0b013e31817bd91e​ PubMedCrossRef
60.
Metadata
Title
Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 versus autogenous iliac crest bone graft for lumbar fusion: a meta-analysis of ten randomized controlled trials
Authors
Zhiguang Chen
Gen Ba
Tao Shen
Qin Fu
Publication date
01-12-2012
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery / Issue 12/2012
Print ISSN: 0936-8051
Electronic ISSN: 1434-3916
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-012-1607-3

Other articles of this Issue 12/2012

Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery 12/2012 Go to the issue