About EGF
Binds EGFR (EGF receptor / ErbB1), activating RAS/MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling cascades. Promotes keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation, accelerates wound re-epithelialization, and stimulates collagen and hyaluronic acid production.
Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is an endogenous 53-amino-acid polypeptide that binds the EGF receptor (EGFR) to stimulate cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation in epithelial and mesenchymal cells; it plays a fundamental role in wound healing, skin regeneration, and tissue repair by promoting keratinocyte and fibroblast activation through tyrosine kinase-mediated downstream signaling. EGF activates EGFR tyrosine kinase to initiate PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK proliferative signaling cascades; in wound contexts, topically applied recombinant EGF accelerates epithelialization and granulation tissue formation, and injectable EGF has been evaluated for wound bed preparation in diabetic and chronic wounds. Clinical trials of recombinant human EGF for wound healing — including a PubMed-indexed human clinical trial in diabetic foot ulcers — have demonstrated improvements in wound closure and tissue regeneration; recombinant EGF preparations are approved in some countries (Cuba, South Korea) for diabetic wound healing under prescription conditions. Topically applied EGF has no FDA approval in the United States for wound healing or cosmetic applications; recombinant EGF-based wound therapeutics are available internationally under national regulatory approvals outside the US, and EGF is widely incorporated into cosmetic formulations at concentrations where receptor activation and clinical benefit have not been independently validated.
EGF Benefits & Research Areas
Regulatory & Evidence
Risk Profile
Moderate risk profile in research contexts. Review contraindications and administration guidelines before use.
Regulatory Status
- Availability Status
- Research Only
Regulatory status reflects publicly available information and may change. This is not legal or medical advice.
Research Sources
6 sources cited · 6 moderate
5 Cohorts · 1 Review
Determinants of extraction efficiency in human amniotic membrane processing: biological, mechanical, and biochemical factors shaping growth factor yield.
Cell Tissue Bank · 2026
# Summary Research found that the extraction efficiency of EGF from human amniotic membrane is strongly influenced by multiple interdependent factors, including tissue preservation methods, cryogenic processing, buffer composition (particularly trehalose for stabilization), and protease inhibition strategies. This study demonstrated that systematic optimization of these biological, mechanical, and biochemical parameters can substantially enhance EGF recovery and enable production of standardized, high-potency extracts suitable for clinical applications.
Single-cell and spatial transcriptomic profiling reveals the expression characteristics of PTPRR in epithelial cells and its potential implications in pancreatic cancer metastasis.
Front Immunol · 2026
# Summary Research found that PTPRR (protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor R) is significantly upregulated in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma tissues, where it is specifically expressed in epithelial cells and correlates with metastasis, advanced disease stage, and poor patient outcomes. This study demonstrated that PTPRR promotes cancer cell migration and invasion through activation of MAPK and RAS signaling pathways, while also facilitating communication between tumor cells and the surrounding immune microenvironment in ways that suppress anti-tumor immunity.
Germline MET-2-LIN-3-LET-23 signaling axis governs nanoplastic-induced transgenerational reproductive toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans.
Aquat Toxicol · 2026
# Summary Research found that chronic exposure to low concentrations of polystyrene nanoparticles triggers a molecular signaling cascade beginning with the MET-2 enzyme and involving the EGF ligand LIN-3, which is transmitted across generations through the germline to activate reproductive toxicity in offspring. This study demonstrated that this transgenerational signaling pathway ultimately promotes cell death in reproductive tissues by activating pro-apoptotic factors, thereby explaining how nanoplastic exposure causes reproductive defects across multiple generations in *Caenorhabditis elegans*.
Show 3 more sources ↓
Associations between plasma BDNF, VEGF, and EGF and cognition in drug-naïve schizophrenia with and without sleep disturbances.
Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci · 2026
# Summary Research found that in drug-naïve schizophrenia patients without sleep disturbances, EGF showed a nominal exploratory association with sleep medication use, while in patients with sleep disturbances, BDNF (rather than EGF) demonstrated robust positive correlations with cognitive performance. This study demonstrated distinct biological pathways linking sleep and cognition in schizophrenia, with EGF potentially playing a more limited role in cognitive outcomes compared to BDNF, particularly in the non-sleep-disturbance subgroup.
Multi-omics profiling reveals epidermal growth factor as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in lupus nephritis and ANCA-associated vasculitis with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis.
PLoS One · 2026
# Summary Research found that epidermal growth factor (EGF) is significantly downregulated in kidney tissue from patients with lupus nephritis and ANCA-associated vasculitis presenting as rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, and that EGF levels correlate strongly with impaired kidney function. This study demonstrated that EGF may serve as a potential biomarker for identifying these severe autoimmune kidney diseases and could represent a therapeutic target for future treatment approaches.
The efficacy and safety of epidermal growth factor in treatment of diabetic foot ulcers: the preliminary results
International Wound Journal · 2009
Research in a pilot study of 28 diabetic patients with foot ulcers found that twice-daily recombinant human EGF (rh-EGF) treatment produced positive granulation response in 100% of patients, with complete healing in 56.5% at 8-week follow-up and wound closure rates of 43-85% across weeks 2-8, demonstrating EGF's wound-healing acceleration properties with good tolerability.
EGF Side Effects & Safety Considerations
Moderate risk profile. Review all reported considerations carefully before use.
Reported contraindications & considerations
Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health decisions. This information is educational only and does not constitute medical advice.
Where to Buy EGF — Providers & Availability
Coverage expanding
No verified providers currently list EGF. Get notified when one does, or explore providers carrying similar peptides in the Skin & Joint category.
Stay updated on verified EGF providers
New verified providers added weekly — delivered to your inbox.
Questions to Ask Your Provider
Frequently Asked Questions — EGF
Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is an endogenous 53-amino-acid polypeptide that binds the EGF receptor (EGFR) to stimulate cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation in epithelial and mesenchymal cells; it plays a fundamental role in wound healing, skin regeneration, and tissue repair by promoting keratinocyte and fibroblast activation through tyrosine kinase-mediated downstream signaling. EGF activates EGFR tyrosine kinase to initiate PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK proliferative signaling cascades; in wound contexts, topically applied recombinant EGF accelerates epithelialization and granulation tissue formation, and injectable EGF has been evaluated for wound bed preparation in diabetic and chronic wounds.
skin regeneration, wound healing, collagen stimulation, post-procedure recovery.
Research on EGF primarily documents effects related to skin regeneration and wound healing and collagen stimulation and post-procedure recovery. These are areas covered in preclinical and clinical literature — individual response varies and effects depend on context of use.
Reported contraindications and considerations for EGF include active cancer history, pregnant or nursing. This is educational information only — consult a qualified healthcare professional before use.
# Summary Research found that the extraction efficiency of EGF from human amniotic membrane is strongly influenced by multiple interdependent factors, including tissue preservation methods, cryogenic processing, buffer composition (particularly trehalose for stabilization), and protease inhibition strategies. This study demonstrated that systematic optimization of these biological, mechanical, and biochemical parameters can substantially enhance EGF recovery and enable production of standardized, high-potency extracts suitable for clinical applications.