Peer Reviewed Orthopaedic
Posted May 8, 2024
Jeffrey M. Karp, Ph.D., and Nitin Joshi, Ph.D., Brigham and Women's Hospital
Jeffrey M. Karp, Ph.D. Brigham and Women's Hospital
(Photo Provided)
Nitin Joshi, Ph.D. Brigham and Women's Hospital
(Photo Provided)
Post-traumatic osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that can develop after an accident, fall, or sports-or combat-related injury. An estimated 28% of Veterans are diagnosed with PTOA compared to 12% of civilians.1 Symptoms of PTOA include pain, swelling, and stiffness of the injured joint. Current standard treatments include physical therapy, pain-relief medications and anti-inflammatory drugs. Although PTOA affects only the injured joint, current pharmacological treatments affect the whole body.
Jeffrey M. Karp, Ph.D. and Nitin Joshi, Ph.D. of Brigham and Women's Hospital, received a fiscal year 2013 Peer Reviewed Orthopedic Research Program Translational Research Award to develop a novel drug delivery system that could be administered directly to an injured joint.
With this award, Karp and Joshi, developed an injectable hydrogel capable of delivering the drug in response to the inflammatory markers found in PTOA patient serum. The team demonstrated the ability of this hydrogel to carry various anti-inflammatory or osteoarthritic drugs and titrate their release in response to the level of inflammation in the joints. The team also demonstrated significant reduction of inflammation and decreased severity of arthritis through the use of the hydrogel with an anti-inflammatory drug at the site of the affected joint.
As a result of the findings from this award, the research team filed a patent application for their novel hydrogel technology.
Since the conclusion of the award, the research team found versatile uses for the hydrogel technology related to diseases and conditions characterized by inflammation, such as inflammatory bowel disease.
The continued efforts by Karp, Joshi, and their team to develop an innovative drug- delivery system aims to positively impact patient care and quality of life, which are key goals of the PRORP.
References:
1Brown, T.D., Johnston, R.C., Saltzman, C.L., et al. 2006. Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis: A First Estimate of Incidence, Prevalence, and Burden of Disease. Journal of Orthopedic Trauma 20(10), 739-744. DOI:10.1097/01.bot.0000246468.80635.ef.
Last updated Monday, May 6, 2024