Q: I am 65 years old. I am on CAPD dialysis since last year. Recently my friend told me about BMP-7 protein, which has the ability to reverse kidney failure. I want to know more about this protein. How can we get them in India? A petition has been filed in US FDA to accelerate the clinical trails. Do our Indian doctors know about this?

A:BMP-7 (Bone Morphogenic Protein-7) is a growth factor belonging to a family of protein which has been proven to delay and reverse the progression of chronic kidney disease in animal models only. The favourable results have opened a new insight into a possible application as a therapeutic agent in the prevention of progressive kidney disease in humans. However, there are no ongoing human clinical trial studies concerning the BNP-7 in kidney diseases. BNP-7 has been FDA approved for use in orthopaedic diseases as a replacement for bone grafts.