Advances in targeted therapies for age-related osteoarthritis: A comprehensive review of current research

Area of Science:

• Gerontology and Regenerative Medicine
• Orthopedics and Musculoskeletal Diseases

Background:

• Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disease, significantly increasing with age.
• Cellular senescence, a key aging mechanism, drives cartilage degradation, inflammation, and tissue remodeling in OA.
• Existing OA treatments primarily manage symptoms rather than addressing underlying aging-related pathology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current research on anti-aging therapies targeting cellular senescence in osteoarthritis.
• To explore therapeutic strategies aimed at senescent cells (SnCs) and their associated secretory phenotype (SASP).

Main Methods:

• Examination of senolytic drugs designed to eliminate SnCs.
• Review of senomorphic interventions that modulate the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP).
• Analysis of strategies to enhance immune-mediated clearance of SnCs.
• Investigation of novel delivery systems (e.g., exosomes) and precision medicine approaches for anti-aging OA treatments.

Main Results:

• Targeting SnCs presents a promising therapeutic avenue for OA symptom alleviation and disease modification.
• Senolytics, senomorphics, and immune-based clearance strategies show potential in preclinical and emerging clinical studies.
• Advanced methods like exosome delivery and precision anti-aging medication administration offer new possibilities for OA management.

Conclusions:

• Targeting cellular senescence is a viable and emerging strategy for osteoarthritis treatment.
• These anti-aging approaches hold the potential for developing more effective and personalized OA therapies.
• Further research is warranted to translate these findings into clinical practice for improved patient outcomes.