Is There a Way to Reverse Arthritic Damage to Joints?
Rheumatoid arthritis has long posed two major issues for medical research: a) the development of new therapies to treat the condition and b) how to cope with the effects of the illness. Up to this point, most of the scientific efforts have been geared towards creating new medications to limit or control the illness. Recently, however, a new effort looks beyond providing relief from arthritic symptoms to the possibility of reversing some of the damage to arthritis-affected joints.
The Study
A recent laboratory study conducted by researchers from Centocor, Inc. and the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Wayne State University Medical School, evaluated a course of treatment that appears to offer hope that joint damage cause by arthritis can be reversed. Lead by David Shealy, the team explored the hypothesis that a connection between certain antibodies and the reversal of arthritic pathology exists.
Shealy and associates noted that drugs, such as methotrexate, only appear to slow the course of the illness without actually limiting or reversing its long-term effects. The research also found increased levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) in mice with the disease suggesting a connection to the symptoms of arthritis. Based on these factors, the team felt that the introduction of anti-tumor necrosis factor antibodies might have a positive outcome.
The Results
The results of this study showed not only that application of anti-tumor necrosis factor antibodies slowed or stopped the onslaught of arthritis but, additionally, appeared to promote healing in the inflamed joints. It must be noted that this research was conducted in the pre-clinical state and that further testing and the use of clinical trials will have to take place before the therapy is approved for general use. However, for the first time, medical science may have found a path to reverse the results of this crippling ailment.
Resource
Shealy, D. J., Wooley, P. H., Emmell, E., Volk, A., Rosenberg, A., Treacy, G., Wagner, C. L., Mayton, L., Griswold, D. E., Song X. R. (2002). Anti-TNF Antibody Allows Healing of Joint Damage in Polyarthritic Transgenic Mice. Arthritis Research, Vol. 4, R7. Retrieved July 29, 2002, from http://arthritis-research.com/content/4/5/R7.
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