Advances in Gene Therapy for Osteoarthritis: A Review of the Literature

This review examines advances in gene therapy as a potential disease-modifying treatment for osteoarthritis (OA), a common and multifactorial joint disorder influenced by genetic, mechanical, inflammatory, and metabolic factors. Current therapies, including medications and joint replacement, primarily address symptoms and often yield incomplete patient satisfaction. Improved understanding of cartilage biology and OA pathophysiology has revealed key molecular targets, such as cytokines, transcription factors, and microRNAs, that regulate inflammation and cartilage degradation. Gene therapy aims to modulate these pathways by delivering therapeutic genes that enhance cartilage repair or suppress harmful processes.