Observed efficacy and clinically important improvements in participants with osteoarthritis treated with subcutaneous tanezumab: results from a 56-week randomized NSAID-controlled study

Nerve-tumor crosstalk in tumor microenvironment: From tumor initiation and progression to clinical implications

The autonomic nerve system (ANS) innervates organs and tissues throughout the body and maintains functional balance among various systems. Further investigations have shown that excessive activation of ANS not only causes disruption of homeostasis, but also may promote tumor formation. In addition, the dynamic interaction between nerve and tumor cells in the tumor microenvironment also regulate tumor progression. On the one hand, nerves are passively invaded by tumor cells, that is, perineural invasion (PNI). On the other hand, compared with normal tissues, tumor tissues are subject to more abundant innervation, and nerves can influence tumor progression through regulating tumor proliferation, metastasis and drug resistance. A large number of studies have shown that nerve-tumor crosstalk, including PNI and innervation, is closely related to the prognosis of patients, and contributes to the formation of cancer pain, which significantly deteriorates the quality of life for patients. These findings suggest that nerve-tumor crosstalk represents a potential target for anti-tumor therapies and the management of cancer pain in the future. In this review, we systematically describe the mechanism by which nerve-tumor crosstalk regulates tumorigenesis and progression.

New therapeutic strategies in osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent arthritis-type and is a major contributor to chronic joint pain, impaired physical function, and limited mobility. By the end of 2020, a total of 595 million, equal to 7·6% of the global population, had OA; this figure is expected to rise exponentially by 2050. Even while the disorder's intricate pathophysiology is starting to appear intelligible, we are yet to have a cure for the disorder. OA is typically managed with traditional palliative measures, such as topical and systemic analgesics, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, therapeutic exercise, and braces. Sometimes, intra-articular glucocorticoids, viscosupplementation, or regenerative interventions provide short-term pain relief and functional improvement; some may require arthroplasty. Researchers continue their efforts to unveil a new therapeutic target to be effective in OA that modifies symptoms and arrests disease progression as well. In the present literature review, insights into new therapeutic strategies in OA, for example, liposome-based dexamethasone, microspore-based triamcinolone, nerve growth factor antagonist, anti-ADAMTS-5 (A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase Thrombospoidin Motifs - 5), pentosan polysulfate sodium, allogeneic stem cells, C-C chemokine receptor type-4 (CCR4) ligand 17 inhibitor, Wnt-signaling inhibitor, and anti-obesity medications are provided.

IUPHAR review: Navigating the role of preclinical models in pain research

Chronic pain is a complex and challenging medical condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of chronic pain is a key goal of preclinical pain research so that more effective treatment strategies can be developed. In this review, we explore nociception, pain, and the multifaceted factors that lead to chronic pain by focusing on preclinical models. We provide a detailed look into inflammatory and neuropathic pain models and discuss the most used animal models for studying the mechanisms behind these conditions. Additionally, we emphasize the vital role of these preclinical models in developing new pain-relief drugs, focusing on biologics and the therapeutic potential of NMDA and cannabinoid receptor antagonists. We also discuss the challenges of TRPV1 modulation for pain treatment, the clinical failures of neurokinin (NK)- 1 receptor antagonists, and the partial success story of Ziconotide to provide valuable lessons for preclinical pain models. Finally, we highlight the overall success and limitations of current treatments for chronic pain while providing critical insights into the development of more effective therapies to alleviate the burden of chronic pain.

Surgical denervation as a treatment strategy for pain in hand osteoarthritis: a systematic literature review

OBJECTIVE

Surgical denervation has been proposed as a treatment for pain in hand osteoarthritis (OA). This review aimed to summarise the available evidence and to propose a research agenda.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed up to September 2022. Two investigators independently identified studies that reported on denervation for OA of the proximal interphalangeal, distal interphalangeal, metacarpophalangeal or carpometacarpal joints. Quality of studies was assessed and study characteristics, patient characteristics, details of the surgical technique and outcomes of the surgery were extracted.

RESULTS

Of 169 references, 17 articles reporting on 384 denervations in 351 patients were selected. Sixteen case series reported positive outcomes with respect to pain, function and patient satisfaction. One non-randomised clinical trial reported no difference in outcome when comparing denervation of the first carpometacarpal (CMC I) joint to trapeziectomy. Adverse events were frequent, with sensory abnormalities occurring the most, followed by the need for revision surgery. All studies had significant risk of bias.

CONCLUSION

Surgical denervation for pain in hand OA shows some promise, but the available evidence does not allow any conclusions of efficacy and higher-quality research is needed. Techniques should be harmonised and more data regarding how denervation compares to current usual care, other denervation methods or placebo in terms of outcomes and adverse events are needed.

What is the most effective and safest Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug for treating osteoarthritis in patients with comorbidities?

INTRODUCTION

Understanding what the most effective and safe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) is for managing osteoarthritis (OA) is complicated. OA is prevalent worldwide and people living with OA commonly have multiple comorbidities. The efficacy and safety of NSAIDs in a patient are influenced by their intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Current guidelines recommend the lowest dose for the shortest duration, monitoring patients for risk factors and comorbidities but generally do not specify, which NSAID is most suitable for a patient with specific comorbidities.

AREAS COVERED

This paper looks at the mechanism of action of all NSAIDs and reviews the current literature concerning their safety in patients with and without comorbidities. Relevant publications were identified by searching PubMed and Cochrane Library using key terms. The search was conducted from inception to 18 July 2023 and included results published before 18 July 2023. The search results and their references were then manually reviewed.

EXPERT OPINION

In the paper, we determine whether the current practice of 'lowest dose for shortest duration' is in fact the best approach for prescribing NSAIDs and identify which NSAIDs are most suitable given a patient's risk factors and comorbidities. Our aim is to help guide health professionals in recommending the most suitable NSAID for each patient.

What is new in pharmacological treatment for osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease in which structural changes of hyaline articular cartilage, subchondral bone, ligaments, capsule, synovium, muscles, and periarticular changes are involved. The knee is the most commonly affected joint, followed by the hand, hip, spine, and feet. Different pathological mechanisms are at play in each of these various involvement sites. Although systemic inflammation is more prominent in hand OA, knee and hip OA have been associated with excessive joint load and injury. As OA has varied phenotypes and the primarily affected tissues differ, treatment options must be tailored accordingly. In recent years, ongoing efforts have been made to develop disease-modifying options that halt or slow disease progression. Many are still in clinical trials, and as insights into the pathogenesis of OA evolve, novel therapeutic strategies will be developed. In this chapter, we provide an overview of the novel and emerging strategies in the management of OA.

Osteoarthritis: pathogenic signaling pathways and therapeutic targets

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disorder that leads to disability and affects more than 500 million population worldwide. OA was believed to be caused by the wearing and tearing of articular cartilage, but it is now more commonly referred to as a chronic whole-joint disorder that is initiated with biochemical and cellular alterations in the synovial joint tissues, which leads to the histological and structural changes of the joint and ends up with the whole tissue dysfunction. Currently, there is no cure for OA, partly due to a lack of comprehensive understanding of the pathological mechanism of the initiation and progression of the disease. Therefore, a better understanding of pathological signaling pathways and key molecules involved in OA pathogenesis is crucial for therapeutic target design and drug development. In this review, we first summarize the epidemiology of OA, including its prevalence, incidence and burdens, and OA risk factors. We then focus on the roles and regulation of the pathological signaling pathways, such as Wnt/β-catenin, NF-κB, focal adhesion, HIFs, TGFβ/ΒΜP and FGF signaling pathways, and key regulators AMPK, mTOR, and RUNX2 in the onset and development of OA. In addition, the roles of factors associated with OA, including MMPs, ADAMTS/ADAMs, and PRG4, are discussed in detail. Finally, we provide updates on the current clinical therapies and clinical trials of biological treatments and drugs for OA. Research advances in basic knowledge of articular cartilage biology and OA pathogenesis will have a significant impact and translational value in developing OA therapeutic strategies.

Mechanisms of Peripheral and Central Sensitization in Osteoarthritis Pain

Pain, the primary symptom of osteoarthritis (OA), reduces both the quality and quantity of life for patients. The pathophysiology of OA pain is complex and often difficult to explain solely by radiological structural changes. One reason for this discrepancy is pain sensitization (peripheral sensitization [PS] and central sensitization [CS]) in OA. Thus, an understanding of pain sensitization is important when considering treatment strategies and development for OA pain. In recent years, pro-inflammatory cytokines, nerve growth factors (NGFs), and serotonin have been identified as causative agents that induce peripheral and central sensitization and are becoming therapeutic targets for OA pain. However, the characteristics of the clinical manifestations of pain sensitization elicited by these molecules remain unclear, and it is not well understood who among OA patients should receive the therapeutic intervention. Thus, this review summarizes evidence on the pathophysiology of peripheral and central sensitization in OA pain and the clinical features and treatment options for this condition. While the majority of the literature supports the existence of pain sensitization in chronic OA pain, clinical identification and treatment of pain sensitization in OA are still in their infancy, and future studies with good methodological quality are needed.