Targeting arthritis medicines directly to damaged joint collagen
Localization of Antibody Drugs to Arthritic Joints via Collagen Hybridization
['FUNDING_R01'] · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · NIH-11175499
Researchers are creating antibody medicines that latch onto damaged collagen in inflamed joints so people with rheumatoid arthritis could get stronger relief with fewer whole-body side effects.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SALT LAKE CITY, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11175499 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project will create collagen-hybridizing peptides (CHPs) that stick to damaged collagen in your inflamed joints. Those CHPs will be attached to antibody fragments that block TNF-alpha, a protein that drives inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. In lab and mouse studies the team will check whether the CHP–antibody pairs concentrate in joints, reduce inflammation, and avoid broadly suppressing the immune system. If results are promising, the work would guide later testing in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with active rheumatoid arthritis who need anti-TNF treatment but are concerned about systemic immune side effects would be the ideal candidates for this joint-targeted approach.
Not a fit: People with non-inflammatory or purely mechanical joint pain (such as typical osteoarthritis) or those who cannot receive antibody-based treatments may not benefit from this strategy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could concentrate anti-inflammatory antibodies in affected joints, improving symptom relief while reducing systemic immune suppression and infection risk.
How similar studies have performed: Standard anti-TNF antibodies are established for rheumatoid arthritis, but directing antibodies to degraded collagen using collagen-hybridizing peptides is a novel approach that has shown promise in preclinical lab and animal studies but not yet in people.
Where this research is happening
SALT LAKE CITY, UNITED STATES
- UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH — SALT LAKE CITY, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: YU, MICHAEL S — UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- Study coordinator: YU, MICHAEL S
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.
Conditions: Autoimmune Diseases