Novel Therapeutic Strategies in Combating Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis
Abstract
Post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) is a severely debilitating disease with no disease-modifying treatments. This disease accounts for 92% of all arthritis in active Soldiers, and it is the number one disabling condition leading to medical discharge of wounded Warriors from active duty. In addition to Soldiers, PTOA also affects athletes and active civilians. However, there are no cures for PTOA, underscoring a crucial need in military and civilian health. Injuries that lead to PTOA result in inflammation in the cartilage and joints, and therapies that can block this process will alleviate PTOA. In this proposal, we propose in-depth investigations into using two different therapeutic interventions that will block inflammation and oxidant accumulation at the injured joints to alleviate PTOA in military personnel and civilians. Our studies will identify new-generation therapeutic targets that will protect against trauma-induced osteoarthritis, representing a major breakthrough in anti-osteoarthritis treatment. Thus, our proposal is highly relevant to military personnel and civilians alike in that it has the potential to alleviate PTOA, a debilitating disease with no cures. Our proposal addresses the Fiscal Year 2019 Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program Topic Area of “Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis” and the suggested area of encouragement of “research on therapies that target multiple phases of the cellular response pathways that are implicated in the development of post-traumatic osteoarthritis, including cell death, inflammation, matrix changes, and changes in catabolic and anabolic responses.” If successful, our study will lead to the development of therapeutics that will alleviate PTOA. Applicability and Impact: Successful completion of the proposed studies will pave the way to rapidly develop a much-needed class of drugs to treat PTOA. If successful, this innovative therapeutic strategy can be applied to athletes, and civilian men and women who lead an active lifestyle.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 10, 2021
- Source ID
- W81XWH2010304
Entities
People
- Uma Sankar
Organizations
- Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis
- United States Army