This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing theresources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject andinvestigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source,and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed isfor the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator.Osteoarthritis (OA) affects over 70 million Americans and is a major factor contributing to disability in our aging population. OA is heterogeneous condition associated with defective integrity of articular cartilage and changes in underlying bone. Although the progression of OA is generally considered to be predominantly a degenerative rather than an inflammatory process, there is a substantial, growing body of evidence supporting a role for key inflammatory mediators in this condition. Cytokines are important mediators of inflammatory joint diseases including OA, and are involved in the initiation and perpetuation of a vicious cycle of catabolic and degradative events in cartilage and bone in this illness. It is hypothesized that treatment directed against the pro-inflammatory cytokine Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) could lead to significant clinical improvements in the disease. The objective of this pilot study is to establish preliminary data on the safety and clinical efficacy of TNF blockade in osteoarthritis. The primary endpoint of this 12-week double-blind placebo controlled trial will be the proportion of patients achieving a 20% clinical improvement based on the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) responder index (ACR20).
Showing the most recent 10 out of 589 publications
