With regard to medications that have bone-related actions and may provide potential treatment for OA, Dr. Chevalier mentioned two such therapies. The first are molecules that target the Wnt signaling pathway, which appears to be important in regulating and activating cellular and molecular processes during OA development. The second are cathepsin K inhibitors, which seem to have beneficial effects on bone and cartilage in preclinical OA models. Each of these novel therapies holds potential for the treatment of OA, but Dr. Chevalier explained many more studies are needed to truly prove efficacy.
Jason Liebowitz, MD, completed his fellowship in rheumatology at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, where he also earned his medical degree. He is currently in practice with Skylands Medical Group, N.J.
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