New Injection could Offer Hope to Millions...
Added On : 7th April 2012
New Injection could Offer Hope to Millions of Arthritis SufferersAn injection could help cure the crippling symptoms of arthritis, say scientists.
A study found that a molecule, called kartogenin, encourages damaged cartilage to regenerate.
It is now hoped that the substance could form the basis of a new drug-based therapy, targeting the degenerative joint and bone disease which causes cartilage to wear away.
Main symptoms of arthritis include pain, stiffness and restricted movement in the joints, and in the UK it affects more than 9 million people.
Currently these is no cure for the condition, only anti-inflammatory painkillers to relieve symptoms, and in severe cases, costly joint replacements are advised.
Commenting on the latest study researchers at the Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation in San Diego and Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California said: 'This may ultimately lead to a stem-cell based therapy for osteoarthritis.'
While Dr Kristen Johnson, added: 'Were excited about the biology because its a new way of targeting the stem cells.'
During the study, published in the journal Science, 22,000 drug-like molecules were tested using a robotic screen, applying each one to bone marrow stem cells.
When kartogenin was administered to mice with osteoarthritis-like symptoms, it prompted stem cells to change into cartilage cells.
A patent has already been filed, however more work is needed to understand exactly how the molecule works.
Judith Brodie, chief executive of Arthritis Care, said: 'We are delighted with any potential breakthrough for people with arthritis.
'We hear every day about the pain suffered by people with osteoarthritis and, although treatments are some years away, we look forward to anything that will help relieve their condition.'
The most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Around eight million people in Britain suffer from osteoarthritis and 140,000 hip and knee replacements are performed on the NHS as a result of the illness, at a cost of more than £1 billion.
