A hydrogel that releases drugs to prevent osteoarthritis in active joints
A self-assembled hydrogel with tunable drug release kinetics for preventing osteoarthritis in active joints
This study is testing a special gel that can slowly release arthritis medication directly into your joints while you stay active, to see if it can help prevent your arthritis from getting worse.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11058380 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a hydrogel that can deliver disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs) directly into joints. The hydrogel is designed to withstand the mechanical stress that occurs during physical activity, ensuring that the drug is released at a controlled rate. By testing this hydrogel in active animal models, the researchers aim to understand how different release rates affect the treatment's effectiveness. The ultimate goal is to create a reliable drug delivery system that can help prevent the progression of osteoarthritis in patients who are physically active.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with early-stage osteoarthritis who are physically active and at risk of joint deterioration.
Not a fit: Patients with advanced osteoarthritis or those who are not physically active may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for osteoarthritis, potentially slowing its progression and improving joint health for active individuals.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using hydrogels for drug delivery in other contexts, but this specific approach for osteoarthritis in active joints is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Joshi, Nitin — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Joshi, Nitin
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.