Osteoarthritis nanomedicine

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis and degenerative joint disease. OA is a leading cause of chronic disability and progressively affects cartilage, the synovial membrane, bone and periarticular tissues . No efficient cure is yet available, and the current treatments essentially manage the symptoms, most often aiming at a reduction of inflammation and pain.

In an attempt to mitigate the progression of OA, the labs of pharmaceutical technology and biopharmacy are pursuing several approaches encompassing (i) the intra-articular administration of cartilage-targeting nanovectors carrying disease-modifying drugs, (ii) the administration of stem cells with concomitant nutrient supply, (iii) the design on novel hydrogels for the replacement/improvement of the worn-out synovial fluid.