platelet-rich plasma (Saint-Pierre University Hospital)

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous biologic therapy being evaluated by the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Saint-Pierre for the treatment of persistent olfactory dysfunction, particularly in the context of post-COVID-19 recovery. PRP is produced by concentrating platelets from a patient's own blood, creating a medium rich in growth factors such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and nerve growth factor (NGF). When injected into the olfactory cleft, these factors are thought to stimulate the regeneration of olfactory sensory neurons and repair the olfactory epithelium through mechanisms involving neurogenesis and angiogenesis. This treatment is currently in Phase 2/3 clinical trials, where it is being compared against standard olfactory training for patients with smell loss lasting more than six months.

Other names

PRPautologous platelet-rich plasma