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Salvation for osteoarthritis patients: just one injection can repair the affected joints
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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Arthritis or arthrosis is a very painful and widespread joint disorder. The pathology can develop for many reasons: in some people it is congenital dysplasia, while in others it is the result of excessive physical overload. But in any case, the disease gradually leads to the loss of full functionality of the joint.
Today, arthrosis is considered to be practically incurable. Even intensive complex treatment does not always allow achieving lasting relief: often patients decide to undergo endoprosthetics.
According to statistics, more than 10% of people in the world over the age of 60 suffer from some degree of arthrosis.
American specialists have developed an innovative drug, a single injection of which can rid the joint of spent cells and start the process of cartilage restoration, which will stop the further development of the disease.
The scientists' research began with simulating joint injury in experimental rodents. After the initial development of joint tissue degeneration, the mice were injected with an experimental drug, which received the code UBX0101 - its task was to selectively destroy senescent cells that accumulate in tissues with age.
The result of the experiment literally stunned the researchers. After just one injection, the population of senescent cells decreased by half. In addition, the activity of genes responsible for restorative reactions in cartilage increased significantly, which significantly accelerated the process of joint recovery.
The first stage of the experiment was followed by the second: now the scientists administered the drug to elderly rodents suffering from a pronounced degree of arthrosis with thinning and weakening of cartilage. After the injection, a significant improvement in the condition of the mice was observed, which became noticeably more mobile and calmer. With the help of diagnostics, it was possible to confirm the increased activity of tissue restoration in the joint.
The specialists then began testing the new drug on humans. It was confirmed that UBX0101 has a positive effect on tissues even at the stage of advanced arthritis. The authors of the study claim that the formation of new healthy cartilage began on the fourth day after the drug was administered to patients with severe arthrosis.
However, one problem remains unresolved for scientists: the drug acts only for a short time, since it does not have the property of accumulating in the joint. At the moment, the company Unity Biotechnology has begun to develop specific molecular carriers that should prolong the action of the innovative drug.
"We need to do everything possible so that doctors can perform only one single injection for complete restoration of the joint. This will allow us to abandon the ineffective and long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, all sorts of punctures, joint lavages, and other procedures. Our task is to stop the development of arthrosis forever," the authors of the study claim.
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