Targeted therapy for knee osteoarthritis: From basic to clinics

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Rheumatology
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) incidence is rising due to aging populations and lifestyle factors, posing a significant public health challenge.
• Current treatments for KOA inadequately address its complex pathophysiology and diverse clinical manifestations, highlighting an unmet medical need.
• Effective KOA management is crucial for improving patients' quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and summarize recent advancements in targeted therapeutic interventions for knee osteoarthritis.
• To analyze the latest breakthroughs in pharmaceutical therapies and clinical data for KOA treatment.
• To provide a valuable resource for clinicians and researchers seeking effective KOA management strategies.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive review of current literature on targeted therapies for knee osteoarthritis.
• Analysis of clinical trial data for novel KOA treatments, including biologicals, nanomedicine, gene therapy, and cell therapy.
• Examination of advancements in drug nanocarriers and delivery systems for enhanced therapeutic efficacy.

Main Results:

• Numerous novel targeted therapies, including small-molecule inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, nanocarrier-based therapy, gene therapy, and cytotherapy, are in clinical trials for KOA.
• Advancements in nanocarrier technology show promise for improving the efficacy of therapeutic agents in KOA treatment.
• The review consolidates information on emerging treatments, offering insights into their potential clinical applications.

Conclusions:

• Targeted therapies represent a promising frontier for managing knee osteoarthritis, addressing the limitations of current treatment options.
• Continued research and clinical trials are essential to translate these novel therapeutic approaches into effective clinical practice for KOA.
• These advancements offer hope for better disease control and improved quality of life for individuals suffering from knee osteoarthritis.