Drug that grew extra teeth in mice enters first human trial
Researchers at Kyoto University Hospital have initiated the first human trial of TRG-035, a drug designed to promote tooth regrowth in individuals missing teeth. The trial, involving 30 adult men, primarily aims to assess the drug's safety rather than its effectiveness in regrowing teeth. If successful, future trials may target children born without teeth, with the goal of bringing the drug to market by 2030.
- ▪The drug TRG-035 blocks a protein that inhibits tooth development.
- ▪The initial human trial is focused on safety and does not expect participants to regrow teeth.
- ▪About one in a thousand people are born missing six or more teeth, which can lead to social challenges.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Drug that grew extra teeth in mice enters first human trial Ellsworth Toohey 11:58 am Fri May 29, 2026 sweet_tomato/shutterstock.com Researchers at Kyoto University Hospital have begun the first human trial of TRG-035, a drug meant to grow new teeth in people who are missing them. Humans keep a set of dormant tooth buds left over after the adult teeth come in, but a protein holds them switched off for life. The drug blocks that protein, which the researchers call "the body's molecular off-switch for tooth development." Thirty adult men, each short a tooth, have enrolled in the study. The discovery came from a genetic accident. Mice bred without the gene for that protein sprouted teeth they were never supposed to have.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Boing Boing.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from Boing Boing
