Emerging therapeutic targets for osteoarthritis
Ermina Hadzic1,2, Frank Beier1,2
1Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets
|February 28, 2023
Summary
This review explores emerging osteoarthritis therapeutic targets in animal and early clinical studies, including autophagy, senescence, and growth factor pathways. Challenges remain in translating these findings to effective treatments due to disease complexity.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics and Regenerative Medicine
- Pharmacology and Drug Discovery
Background:
- Osteoarthritis (OA) is a complex joint disease lacking disease-modifying drugs.
- Animal models are crucial for understanding OA pathology and identifying therapeutic targets.
Approach:
- A literature search (2017-2021) identified OA targets including autophagy, senescence, TGF-beta, EGFR, Wnt/β-catenin, and inflammation.
- Specific pathways examined include PI3/AKT/mTOR, epidermal growth factor receptor, Toll-like receptors, and inflammatory interleukins.
Key Points:
- The field of OA therapeutic targets has expanded significantly, revealing new targets and improved drug delivery methods.
- Understanding of previously identified targets has deepened.
- Viral vectors offer potential for enhanced drug delivery.
Conclusions:
- Translating preclinical findings into clinical benefits for OA remains challenging.
- Disease heterogeneity, lack of early diagnostics, and mismatched animal models contribute to this translational gap.
- The complex roles of many potential therapeutic targets require further investigation.
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