Arthritis is not a curable disease but there is hope that there will be better therapies to deal with this disorder that will have a much more sustained effect on joint health.
With research going on in the medical field, the field has become dynamic and every now and then we are discovering new inventions to deal with diseases and treatments.
7 Advancements & Future Research Prospects in Arthritis Treatment
Here are Some of the advancements that are under study for the treatment of arthritis are listed below:
1. Biologic therapies:
- Arthritis is a disorder of pain and inflammation of the joints.
- There are several biological pathways that are impaired and hence this pain and inflammation is chronic in nature.
- Biologic therapies include producing genetically engineered proteins targeting the particular biological pathway that might be involved in the pain and inflammation of the joint.
- These proteins directly target the biological pathway and inhibit the components responsible for inflammation.
2. Precision Medicine
- Precision medicine targets to develop medication according to a particular individual i.e. is tailor-made medicine.
- This includes identifying the genetic makeup of an individual and developing a medicine that is suitable for him.
- Although the process for this kind of procedure might not be economical but it definitely has great potential in treatment as it ensures that the medicine will work for the particular individual.
3. Stem Cell Therapy
- Stem cell therapy includes extraction of stem cells from the patient own body or through a donor and stem cells are then cultured and introduced inside the patients joints via intra-articular injection.
- Evidence has been found that these stem cells support the regeneration of the cartilage, have immunomodulatory effects and also act as precursors for various cells and secret substances that help in maintaining the health of the joint.
- Studies are being conducted to develop nano particles or vesicles of stem cells that are coated with polymer and survive well in the impaired joint space.
- Therefore, deliver a long lasting and sustained effect on the joint health.
4. Gene Therapy
- Gene therapy involves treating the malfunctioning gene or adding a new gene to normalize the functions of body.
- The major drawback in the development of new therapies the has been the impaired metabolism of the joints, if a therapeutic product is injected into the joint it is deteriorated and is unable to show a sustained effect.
- This drawback can be overcome by gene therapy, the gene that signals the synthesis of the desired protein is injected into the joint space and therefore, can have a long-lasting effect on the inflammation in the joint.
5. Tissue engineering:
Tissue engineering aims to regenerate cartilage or repair the tissue by transplanting external progenitor population that mimic the action of native autologous chondrocytes. It requires 3 ingredients:
- Matrix to form structure
- Cells to mimic action
- Signal for cells to mimic action
The implanted tissue scaffolds should be able to blend in with the natural tissue.
- These scaffolds. might be synthetic or natural.
- These should be biocompatible, customizable, and biomimetic.
- These scaffolds might be generated via a variety of mechanisms such as 3D Printing, hydrogels, supercritical fluid technology, electrospinning, and weaving.
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Technology
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Advantages
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Challenges
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3D Printing
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- Precise control over scaffold design.
- Ability to incorporate multiple materials and cells.
- Personalized medicine applications.
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- Ensuring cell viability during printing.
- Mimicking native tissue complexity.
- Regulatory approval and scalability issues.
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Hydrogels
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- Biocompatibility and similarity to native tissue.
- Tunable mechanical properties.
- Ability to encapsulate cells and bioactive molecules.
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- Controlling degradation rates.
- Achieving optimal mechanical properties.
- Ensuring adequate nutrient and oxygen diffusion.
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Supercritical Fluid Technology
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- Gentle processing conditions.
- Efficient solvent removal without damaging delicate structures.
- Enhanced control over biomaterial properties.
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- Equipment and operating costs.
- Scaling up to industrial production.
- Limited solubility of certain biomaterials in supercritical fluids.
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Electrospinning
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- High surface-to-volume ratio.
- Tunable fiber diameter and porosity.
- Capability to incorporate bioactive agents.
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- Controlling fiber alignment
- Scaling up production
- Maintaining mechanical integrity during handling and implantation.
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Weaving
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- Design flexibility in scaffold geometry
- Capability for large-scale production.
- Mimicking natural tissue mechanics and structure.
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- Ensuring biocompatibility of materials
- Achieving uniformity in structure.
- Integration with biological components (cells, growth factors).
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6. Nutraceuticals and Dietary Supplements
- Nutraceuticals and dietary supplements are commonly used for the management of arthritis.
- Advancements in these have contributed to enhancing its safety and efficacy.
- Innovations to these include enhancement of absorption and therefore better bioavailability, targeted therapies designed for specific types of arthritis, combination of supplements to enhance the action and clinical efficacy.
- Clinical research helps in approving their effects and advancement in the regulatory standards ensures the enhancement of quality and safety.
- These advancements contribute to improved management of arthritis and boost the quality of life of arthritis patients.
7. Digital Health Technologies
- The advancement in digital health technologies has enhanced the reach of health facilities.
- Some of the recent advancements include
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Technology
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Usage
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Telemedicine
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- Providing an option for remote consultation
- Increased reach and no need to pay in person visits
- Better monitoring of patients
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Mobile Apps and wearable devices
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- Wearable devices track the overall health at all times,
- Helps maintain exercise routine and diet plan.
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Artificial intelligence and machine learning
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- Predict disease progression
- Personalize treatment plans
- Identify early signs of flare-ups based on patient data and biomarkers.
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Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)
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- Pain management and physical therapy.
- VR environments offer distraction techniques during procedures, while AR overlays guide exercises and improve joint movement.
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Remote Rehabilitation Programs
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- Deliver tailored exercise programs and physical therapy sessions through digital platforms, promoting joint flexibility, strength, and mobility from home.
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Data Integration and Health Records
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- Centralize patient data across healthcare providers, improving continuity of care, treatment coordination, patient outcomes through comprehensive health records.
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Continued research and clinical validation are crucial for translating these innovations into mainstream clinical practice.
Arthritis Overview & Treatment Management Guide
Check 5 step detailed guide on Arthritis Overview & Treatment Management.
Conclusion
These advancements underscore a dynamic landscape in arthritis research, offering hope for more effective therapies and improved quality of life for patients.
Check Drlogy's Arthritis Overview & Treatment Management Guide for detailed arthritis treatment information and solution related to this diseases.
References
- Akhondzadeh, S. (2014). Personalized Medicine: A Tailor Made Medicine. Avicenna Journal of Medical Biotechnology, 6(4), 191. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4224657/
- Dang, A., Arora, D., & Rane, P. (2020). Role of digital therapeutics and the changing future of healthcare. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 9(5), 2207. https://doi.org/10.4103/JFMPC.JFMPC_105_20
- Li, X., Shen, L., Deng, Z., & Huang, Z. (2023). New treatment for osteoarthritis: Gene therapy. Precision Clinical Medicine, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.1093/PCMEDI/PBAD014
- Liu, Y., Wang, M., Luo, Y., Liang, Q., Yu, Y., Chen, F., & Yao, J. (2021). Enhancing Stem Cell Therapy for Cartilage Repair in Osteoarthritis—A Hydrogel Focused Approach. Gels, 7(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/GELS7040263
- Puri, V., Nagpal, M., Singh, I., Singh, M., Dhingra, G. A., Huanbutta, K., Dheer, D., Sharma, A., & Sangnim, T. (2022). A Comprehensive Review on Nutraceuticals: Therapy Support and Formulation Challenges. Nutrients, 14(21). https://doi.org/10.3390/NU14214637
- Raychaudhuri, S., & Raychaudhuri, S. (2009). BIOLOGICS: TARGET-SPECIFIC TREATMENT OF SYSTEMIC AND CUTANEOUS AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES. Indian Journal of Dermatology, 54(2), 100. https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5154.53175
- Yang, X., Li, S., Ren, Y., Qiang, L., Liu, Y., Wang, J., & Dai, K. (2022). 3D printed hydrogel for articular cartilage regeneration. Composites Part B: Engineering, 237, 109863. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.COMPOSITESB.2022.109863
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