Verdict, decision matrix, deep dives, sourcing notes & full sources

BMP-2 (Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2)

FDA-approved recombinant osteogenic protein delivered on a collagen sponge during surgery (Infuse). | Compound

Aliases (4)

Infuse · rhBMP-2 · dibotermin alfa · InductOs

TYPICAL DOSE

ROUTE

—

CYCLE

—

STORAGE

—

✎

Did you know? You can suggest edits to improve this compound's information.

Submitted via email — no account required.

Suggest an edit

▸ Overview TL;DR

FDA-approved recombinant osteogenic protein delivered on a collagen sponge during surgery (Infuse). Powerful bone-induction signal but linked to cancer signal, ectopic bone, retrograde ejaculation, and severe inflammatory complications. Has zero indication outside acute orthopedic/spinal surgical procedures. Not a biohacker compound.

▸ Mechanism of action

BMP-2 is a homodimeric ~26 kDa growth factor in the TGF-β superfamily. It binds type I and type II BMP receptors on mesenchymal stem cells and osteoprogenitors, activating SMAD1/5/8 → translocation to nucleus → transcription of Runx2, Osterix → osteoblast differentiation and matrix mineralization. It also recruits inflammatory and angiogenic cells, which is why ectopic bone forms in soft tissue exposed to milligram doses.

In Infuse the recombinant protein (rhBMP-2) is loaded onto an absorbable collagen sponge (ACS) at 1.5 mg/mL and implanted at the surgical site. Local concentrations are roughly 1,000,000× physiologic.

▸ Pharmacokinetics No data

Pharmacokinetics data not available for this compound.

No half-life mentions found in the source notes.

▸ What to expect Generic

1

Week 1

Tolerability and dose-response.
2

Week 2-4

Early effect window.
3

Week 4-8

Peak benefit assessment.
4

Week 8+

Cycle decision point.

▸ Side effects + safety

Common (>10% in surgical context): Site swelling, transient inflammation, bone overgrowth at margins
Less common (1-10%): Radiculitis, seroma, retrograde ejaculation (anterior approaches), wound complications
Rare-serious (<1% but worth knowing):
- Cancer signal: Carragee 2011 meta-analysis flagged increased malignancy at 24 months with high-dose Amplify (40 mg) — FDA never approved Amplify partly for this reason. Lower-dose Infuse signal is contested but non-zero.
- Cervical airway compromise — FDA Public Health Notification 2008 after deaths from soft-tissue swelling
- Heterotopic ossification in spinal canal causing neurologic deficit
- Osteolysis/resorption preceding bone deposition (transient)
Specific watch periods: Post-op week 1-2 for swelling; year 1-2 for cancer surveillance in high-dose recipients