Cardiff researchers to develop new drugs to treat osteoarthritis

A team of researchers from Cardiff University has been awarded a grant of £200,000 to investigate new drugs to treat early onset osteoarthritis.

Funded by Arthritis Research UK and led by Dr Deborah Mason, the team will investigate a molecule found in the joints of people with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Previous work found that drugs can stop the effects of the molecule in animal models with arthritis, reducing pain, swelling and joint damage. So the hope is that the team can identify potential new drugs to treat early osteoarthritis.

“Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis with an estimated 8.5 million people affected in the UK alone yet there are still no effective treatments available and no cure,” says Prof Alan Silman from Arthritis Research UK. “This exciting research project from Cardiff University moves us one step closer to offering hope to the many people living with this painful and disabling condition.”