New approach to arthritis treatment could avoid serious side-effects

A new approach to rheumatoid arthritis treatment that delivers drugs exclusively to affected inflamed joints and avoids side-effects, has been produced by researchers at Queen Mary University of London.
The team developed antibodies that are specific to damaged arthritic cartilage and report their findings in Nature Rheumatology. When drugs are fused to these antibodies they are delivered specifically to the arthritic joints, whilst avoiding side effects such as an increased risk of infections.
As yet there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis but the condition may be controlled. Treatment currently involves painkillers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroidal tablets or a second group of drug that can suppress inflammation and possibly improve disease outcome.
These small molecule drugs, called disease modifying anti-rheumatoid drugs (DMARDs) supress inflammation. Newer biologic drugs designed to block inflammation signals are beneficial, but can have serious side effects, because they cause the suppression of the immune system.
“We believe that our targeted approach may become one of the new ways to treat arthritis patients,” explains lead author, Dr Ahuva Nissim. “Targeting of biologic drugs to the inflamed joint will result in high local concentrations and low systemic concentrations, increasing efficacy while minimising side effects. Additionally, a lower total dose may be effective, thereby reducing the cost of treatment.”