Genetics of osteoarthritis and potential for drug development

Genome-wide linkage scans for the mapping of osteoarthritis susceptibility loci have come to the fore in recent years, driven by the failure of candidate gene association studies. Four scans have been published, with several strong linkages reported. These do not encompass the major cartilage structural genes that many consider the most likely susceptibility loci. This has increased the probability that the biological pathways responsible for susceptibility are modifiable by drug treatment, which one would not reasonably expect for a structural protein. This in itself has stimulated the interest of several pharmaceutical companies. Such interest will be to the benefit of patients, but will require candid co-operation between academics and industry if the delay in transferring research findings from the laboratory to the clinic is to be minimised.