Sustained Release Relaxin-2 to Treat Frozen Shoulder
Official title: Sustained Release Relaxin-2 for the Treatment of Frozen Shoulder
Funded at Boston University (Charles River Campus) · NIH-11358379 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new protein therapy using extended-release relaxin-2 is explored to help people with frozen shoulder regain movement and reduce pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University (Charles River Campus) NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $586,760 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR079489-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11358379 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 21 and older with shoulder arthrofibrosis (frozen shoulder) who are seeking or require non-surgical treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without frozen shoulder or those whose condition is unlikely to respond to protein-based therapies may not experience benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to apply a protein therapy, relaxin-2, directly to the shoulder joint using a sustained-release delivery system to address the underlying fibrotic tissue. Researchers will study how relaxin-2 works in the joint and develop microparticle-based systems to release it over time. The work combines mechanism studies with a biocompatible delivery method to target shoulder arthrofibrosis in adults. The goal is to provide a safer, longer-lasting treatment that reduces stiffness and improves function for patients not fully helped by current options.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with frozen shoulder could experience longer-lasting relief and smoother joint movement, potentially reducing the need for repeated injections or surgery.
How similar studies have gone: Previous approaches targeting fibrosis have shown promise in related tissues, but this exact relaxin-2 strategy for the shoulder is a novel application with early-stage demonstration planned.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University (Charles River Campus)
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Grinstaff, Mark W. — Boston University (Charles River Campus)
- Study coordinator: Grinstaff, Mark W.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Using Relaxin-2 to Treat Frozen Shoulder
This study is testing a new way to help people with frozen shoulder by using a hormone called relaxin-2 to ease pain and improve movement, and it could offer better long-lasting relief than the treatments currently available.
-
Using relaxin to treat frozen shoulder
This study is testing a new injection treatment for frozen shoulder that uses a natural hormone to help ease pain and stiffness, aiming to improve your shoulder movement and overall quality of life.
-
Spinal and Kaltenborn mobilization for a stiff shoulder (frozen shoulder)
A randomized trial tests spinal mobilization with arm movement and Kaltenborn mobilization to see if they reduce pain and improve motion and function in people with adhesive capsulitis.
-
Shoulder Frozen Shoulder: TAME vs Corticosteroid Injection
This study tests whether transcatheter arterial microembolization (TAME) works better than corticosteroid injections for people with frozen shoulder.
-
Combined Mulligan Mobilization, Pain Neuroscience Education, and Core Stabilization for Frozen Shoulder
This study tests whether a rehab program with Mulligan mobilization, pain education, and core stabilization helps people with frozen shoulder more than standard physical therapy.
-
Ultrasound-Guided PENG Block for Chronic Shoulder Pain
This study tests whether an ultrasound-guided Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) block can improve pain and function in adults with chronic shoulder pain who haven’t responded to standard treatments.
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.