Researchers have uncovered multiple new genes and genetic pathways that could lead to repurposing hundreds of existing drugs for osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis.
The research, which analyzed data from nearly 2 million people in diverse populations worldwide, was recently published in . It represents an extensive genetic exploration of osteoarthritis, a condition affecting over 600 million people globally.
Conducted by an international team led by Helmholtz Munich in collaboration with 脱衣直播 and 125 top academic institutions worldwide, this initiative is the largest genetic investigation into osteoarthritis conducted and the largest musculoskeletal study.
'A leap forward'
The study uncovered 962 genetic variants associated with the disease and spotlighted 69 key genes whose protein products are already targeted by 473 approved drugs 鈥 many of which could be redirected to manage osteoarthritis more effectively. This discovery leads to a fast-track to personalized medicine and innovative clinical trials.
鈥淭his study takes a leap forward in offering tailored therapies for osteoarthritis patients, many of whom have long awaited disease-modifying options,鈥 said , DSc, co-author, professor and director of the international spine research and innovation initiative of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Rush.
鈥淭his research is a beacon of hope. By leveraging human genetics, we can now reimagine much more effectively as to how we treat this widespread condition.鈥
Leading cause of pain
Osteoarthritis results from the gradual breakdown of cartilage in the joints.
It differs from rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disorder, and is a leading cause of pain, reduced mobility and disability 鈥 projected to affect 1 billion people by 2050. It costs the United States nearly $486 billion annually and up to 鈧817 billion in Europe.
鈥淎s orthopedic specialists, we see firsthand how osteoarthritis affects quality of life,鈥 said , MD, professor of orthopedics at Rush. 鈥淭his study takes us closer to developing targeted biologics that not only alleviate symptoms but also slow disease progression and, ideally, restore joint health.鈥
鈥淲ith 10% of our genetic targets already linked to existing drugs, we鈥檙e poised to accelerate the development of transformative treatments for osteoarthritis,鈥 said Eleftheria Zeggini, BSc, co-author and director of the Institute of Translational Genomics at Helmholtz Munich and professor of translational genomics at the Technical University of Munich. 鈥淭his is precision medicine at work 鈥 offering new hope to millions.鈥
Changing trajectory of osteoarthritis care
Traditionally, osteoarthritis has been managed with pain relievers and mobility aids, but no disease-modifying therapies exist to date. This study not only redefines our genetic understanding of the disease but also provides a path toward repurposing safe, approved drugs, potentially slashing the time and cost to bring effective treatments to market.
The team stresses the need for more genetically diverse studies and functional genomics data from global populations to further refine their findings. By integrating genetics with tissue-level molecular insights, the pathway to new, effective and personalized treatments for osteoarthritis becomes increasingly attainable.
鈥淭his is one of the finest examples of impactful team science,鈥 Samartzis said. 鈥淩esearchers and clinicians from across the globe united with a singular goal 鈥 to change the trajectory of osteoarthritis care for generations to come.鈥
