New Molecular Targets in the Therapy of Arthrosis Patients

Abstract

Introduction: Arthrosis represents the progressive degeneration of the joint cartilage, accompanied by the narrowing of the articular space and inflammation, which affects 70% of the population after the age of 60. Research purpose: This paper reviews the opportunity of using proinflammatory cytokine inhibitors as a means of stopping the progress of arthrosis. Material and method: As a result to a research into various clinical trial registers (Arthritis Clinical Trials, Clinical Research and Drug Information) and on specialized e-platforms, 5 randomized, multicentric double-blind clinical studies have been identified, which monitored the efficiency of various biological molecules in the treatment of arthrosis (etanercept, adalimumab, litikizumab, fasinumab and tanezumab). Results: The current pharmacological interventions consist mainly in the prescription of analgesics (acetaminophen, opioid analgesics), non-steroidal and chondroprotective anti-inflammatories. The proinflammatory cytokine inhibitors are already widely used in the inflammatory joint diseases, such as the rheumatoid polyarthritis. Their introduction into the treatment of arthrosis blocks the disease’s etiopathogenic mechanisms. Discussions: Arthrosis physiopathology involves a series of systemic, biological, biochemical factors, molecular and enzymatic processes that generate minimum inflammation. IL-1b and TNF-α are two major cytokines produced by the synovial cells and chondrocytes, which are involved in the destruction of the cartilage matrix by stimulating the production of proteolytic enzymes (MMP and aggrecanase). Conclusions: The utilisation of proinflammatory cytokine inhibitors in arthrosis represents a therapeutic option that requires studies in order to establish whether the introduction of proinflammatory cytokine inhibitors in arthrosis therapy might slow down the disease’s etiopathogenic mechanisms.