Developing a new treatment to heal meniscus tears and prevent arthritis
Official title: Bioactive Injectable Cell Scaffold for Meniscus Injury Repair in a Large Animal Model
Funded at Rhode Island Hospital · NIH-10919759 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new treatment that uses a special gel and cells from cartilage to help heal meniscus tears better, which could help prevent arthritis later on for people who have these injuries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rhode Island Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | September 4, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $492,673 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR080726-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10919759 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced meniscus tears and are at risk of developing posttraumatic osteoarthritis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with pre-existing severe osteoarthritis or those who have undergone previous meniscus surgeries may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a bioactive injectable scaffold designed to enhance the healing of meniscus tears, which are critical to preventing posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). The approach involves using cartilage-derived progenitor cells (CPCs) combined with a specialized hydrogel to improve the repair process. By optimizing this treatment in a large animal model, the researchers aim to gather data on its effectiveness and safety, paving the way for future clinical applications. Patients may benefit from improved healing outcomes and reduced risk of developing arthritis following meniscus injuries.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for meniscus injuries, significantly reducing the risk of arthritis in affected patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using similar biologic therapies in small animal models, but this approach is being tested in a large animal model for the first time.
Where this research is happening
-
Rhode Island Hospital
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jayasuriya, Chathuraka Teekshana — Rhode Island Hospital
- Study coordinator: Jayasuriya, Chathuraka Teekshana
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.