Contemporary Perspectives on Heterotopic Ossification

Overview

Journal JCI Insight

Specialties Biomedical Engineering
General Medicine

Date 2022 Jul 22

PMID 35866484

Authors

Charles D Hwang

Chase A Pagani

Johanna H Nunez

Masnsen Cherief

Qizhi Qin

Mario Gomez-Salazar

Balram Kadaikal

Heeseog Kang

Ashish R Chowdary

Nicole Patel

Aaron W James

Benjamin Levi

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Heterotopic ossification (HO) is the formation of ectopic bone that is primarily genetically driven (fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva [FOP]) or acquired in the setting of trauma (tHO). HO has undergone intense investigation, especially over the last 50 years, as awareness has increased around improving clinical technologies and incidence, such as with ongoing wartime conflicts. Current treatments for tHO and FOP remain prophylactic and include NSAIDs and glucocorticoids, respectively, whereas other proposed therapeutic modalities exhibit prohibitive risk profiles. Contemporary studies have elucidated mechanisms behind tHO and FOP and have described new distinct niches independent of inflammation that regulate ectopic bone formation. These investigations have propagated a paradigm shift in the approach to treatment and management of a historically difficult surgical problem, with ongoing clinical trials and promising new targets.

Citing Articles

Network study of miRNA regulating traumatic heterotopic ossification.

Lian K, Chen Z, Chen L, Li Y, Liu L PLoS One. 2025; 20(2):e0318779.

PMID: 39932915 PMC: 11813146. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0318779.

Heterotopic ossification: Current developments and emerging potential therapies.

Bei M, Cao Q, Zhao C, Xiao Y, Chen Y, Xiao H Chin Med J (Engl). 2025; 138(4):389-404.

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Fibroblasts in heterotopic ossification: mechanisms and therapeutic targets.

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PMID: 39781450 PMC: 11705629. DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.102297.

Discoidin domain receptor 2 is an important modulator of BMP signaling during heterotopic bone formation.

Wu F, Ge C, Pan H, Han Y, Mishina Y, Kaartinen V Bone Res. 2025; 13(1):7.

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Exploring the role of peripheral nerves in trauma-induced heterotopic ossification.

Pereira C, Adams S, Lloyd K, Knotts T, James A, Price T JBMR Plus. 2024; 9(1):ziae155.

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