Current status and future prospects for disease modification in osteoarthritis

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Orthopedics
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic, progressive joint disease causing disability and significant socioeconomic burden.
• Current OA treatments are limited, highlighting a critical unmet medical need for disease-modifying strategies.
• Inhibiting OA's structural progression is a key research focus.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review the current status of disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs).
• To evaluate the potential of emerging novel therapeutic agents for OA.
• To discuss both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment approaches.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of disease-modifying therapies for OA.
• Analysis of drugs targeting cartilage, inflammatory pathways, and subchondral bone.
• Inclusion of non-pharmacological interventions like joint distraction and weight loss.

Main Results:

• Several potential disease-modifying OA drugs are in development.
• Non-pharmacological therapies, including joint distraction and weight loss, show promise.
• A comprehensive understanding of current and emerging OA treatments is presented.

Conclusions:

• Significant unmet needs exist in OA treatment, driving research into disease modification.
• Emerging therapies, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological, offer potential for structural OA modification.
• Further research is needed to fully realize the potential of these novel OA agents.