Stem Cells for Osteoarthritis Pain Treatment?

As more is learned about the potential benefits of stem cells, a recent study looked at whether patients with osteoarthritis could benefit from the treatment.

Researchers at the University of York announced a study that will assess the use of patients’ own bone marrow stem cells as potential treatment for osteoporosis. With no proven treatment for preventing the condition from getting worse, the researchers said they are looking to change that with this study.

According to lead researcher Paul Genever, PhD, “A way to ‘reset’ stem cells to an earlier time point, termed rejuvenation, has recently been discovered, allowing more effective tissue repair.”

The news release noted that the project was funded by Arthritis Research UK and over the expected 3-year term will “firstly compare rejuvenated and non-rejuvenated stem cells to see if the process improves cartilage repair.” The second goal of the study is to “investigate whether it is possible to develop new drugs which are able to rejuvenate stem cells.”

With more than 8 million people over the age of 45 affected by the condition in the United Kingdom alone, Alan Silman, MD, medical director for Arthritis Research UK, said, “This study offers hope of improved therapies in osteoarthritis through the replication and rejuvenation of stem cells.”

Silman called the research, “pioneering” and said it “has the potential to help reduce pain and disability and improve the quality of life of those living with osteoarthritis.”