In Summary
Dr. Loeser emphasized a key message that disease-modifying interventions will need to be initiated at an earlier phase if they are to succeed. If started too late, the chance of reversing OA is slim and the risk for irrevocable joint damage increases.
Whether a breakthrough is just around the corner or further up the road, the search continues to discover OA therapies in new as well as existing targets. For example, ongoing clinical trials investigating colchicine and GLP-1 agonists indicate potential for reduction of pain and fewer joint replacements in patients with OA, Dr. Loeser said.
“There’s a lot of work being done out there that’s promising,” he said. “We’re not there yet, but I think we’re getting closer and closer.”
Catherine Kolonko is a medical writer based in Oregon.
References
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- Mautner K, Gottschalk M, Boden SD, et al. Cell-based versus corticosteroid injections for knee pain in osteoarthritis: A randomized phase 3 trial. Nat Med. 2023 Dec;29(12):3120–3126.
- Kang Z, Zhang J, Liu W, et al. Plasma proteomic profiles predict individual future osteoarthritis risk. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2025 Aug;77(8):981–995.
