Relief from osteoarthritis

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Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease caused by a loss of cartilage between joints, which leads to pain, difficulty moving, and extremely limited range of motion. Researchers at the Cardiff University have identified a specific type of cell that can be transformed into chondrocytes, which is a particular cell that makes up this joint cartilage.

Says Professor Alan Silman of the Arthritis Research Campaign, "If we can translate these successes from the laboratory into treating patients, the possibility opens up of making a remarkable impact on this comment, painful and disabling condition."

Millions of people around the world suffer from this loss or damage to cartilage that causes the ends of bones to rub together. This friction causes extreme pain and may result in deformed joints and extreme loss of mobility.

A lead research professor at the Cardiff University, said, "We have identified a cell which, when grown in the lab, can produce enough of a person's own cartilage that it could be effectively transplanted."

Tests on animals are currently in progress, and researchers hope to begin clinical trials in the next year. Continues Professor Silman, "How to stop or even reverse their wearing away of cartilage that is the hallmark of osteoarthritis has been a treatment goal which up to now has not proved possible."

The United Kingdom National Stem Cell Network's annual science meeting heard the latest results from Cardiff University with anticipation. Research and development into this field will continue, offering millions around the world potentially, pain-free mobility in the near future.

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