Canadian researchers have succeeded in developing the first antisense drug capable of stopping the progression of osteoarthritis in the joints. It remains to ensure its safety on humans.
While osteoarthritis is one of the main causes of disability in the world, a discovery could well change the situation in the long term. According to a recent study published Thursday, October 4 in the journal Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, Canadian researchers have succeeded in developing the first treatment capable of stopping the progression of this joint disease. It remains to test its safety on humans…
A new target
To develop this drug, Dr. Mohit Kapoor, Director of the Arthritis Center at the University Health Network and his colleagues at the Krambil Research Institute used a variety of experimental models, including animal models and human tissue samples from people with osteoarthritis.
They then discovered a molecule, called microRNA-181a-5p, which would be a mediator very involved in triggering inflammation, cartilage destruction and collagen depletion. It is a messenger RNA which is produced by a gene in the event of aggression of the cartilage and which is responsible for activating the inflammation and blocking the cartilage cells, the chondrocyte.
The antisense revolution
The researchers then developed a specific blocker of this messenger RNA in the form of an “antisense”, a sequence nucleic acid complementary to messenger RNA in order to block it by attaching itself to it. With this antisense, the team was able to stop joint destruction and protect cartilage, in mice.
“The blocker is based on antisense technology. When you inject this antisense into the joints, it blocks the destructive activity caused by microRNA-181-5p and it stops cartilage degradation,” explains Dr. Akihiro Nakamura , co-author of the study. “These results are very important because currently there is no treatment or medication available to stop the progression of osteoarthritis,” continues Dr Kapoor.
Osteoarthritis, the leading cause of functional disability for people over 40 in France
“Common treatments for osteoarthritis treat symptoms such as pain but are unable to stop the progression of the disease,” he explains. And to specify: “the blocker that we tested modifies the disease. It has the ability to prevent further destruction of the joint in the spine and in the knee”.
“Antisense technology on osteoarthritis is in its infancy but research has taken a big step forward. If we were able to develop a simple and effective injection for patients, this discovery could be a game-changer”, enthuses Dr. Raja Rampersaud, spine surgeon and researcher at Toronto Western Hospital, who also participated in the study.
Now scientists need to initiate safety studies in humans, determine the correct dosage, and develop a method to inject the blocker directly into the joints of the knee and spine.
Osteoarthritis is a common disease
Today, osteoarthritis affects 10 million people in France, or 17% of the population. It is the leading cause of functional disability for people over 40. The affliction manifests as pain and stiffness in the joints. If most often these symptoms are mechanical, it happens that the patient suffers from inflammatory flare-ups.
Currently, the treatment of inflammatory flare-ups, slow-acting anti-osteoarthritis drugs (AASAL), visco-supplements which lubricate the joint and nourish the cartilage as well as appropriate physical activity, physiotherapy, orthoses or medicine spa are all solutions to try to improve the functionality of the joints.
As for the future prospects for overcoming this disease, “cell therapy trials on animals seem promising, but human trials are still at a very preliminary stage”, notes the French Association for the Fight against Rheumatism. So let’s hope that this new discovery makes a difference.
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