title: State-of-the-art disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs.
abstract: Significant advances have occurred in the symptomatic management of osteoarthritis over the past several decades. However, the development of so called disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs is in a more formative stage. Although increased knowledge of osteoarthritis pathophysiologic pathways provides more rational opportunity for targeting specific elements of the degenerative process, limitations in our ability to measure disease progression/regression hamper assessment. Development of more sophisticated plain radiographic techniques and the use of additional technologies such as magnetic resonance imaging and gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of cartilage provide potential for more reproducible approaches. Noninvasive biomarkers that reflect structural change are the subject of intense investigation. Studies describing disease-modification effects provide optimism that disease prevention, retardation, and reversal are attainable.
authors.affiliation: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA. rolliemoskowitz@aol.com
authors.forename: Roland W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Moskowitz
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hooper
mesh_terms: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents