Researchers have presented a new experimental therapy that can significantly reduce chronic pain caused by osteoarthritis while also protecting joint cartilage from destruction. This refers to the drug SN101, which has become the first non-opioid medication developed using induced pluripotent stem cells. This information was announced at the symposium of the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR), as reported by Lenta.ru.
The SN101 drug includes mature peripheral neurons known as nociceptors, which are responsible for pain perception. Unlike traditional pain cells, they do not transmit signals to the brain but block inflammatory molecules that contribute to pain sensations. At the same time, these neurons release substances that promote the regeneration of cartilage tissue.
The authors of the study compare the action of this drug to the function of a "biological sponge," which is capable of reducing inflammation, alleviating pain sensations, and slowing the progression of the disease.
It is important to note that SN101 is fundamentally different from traditional treatment methods. Modern medications typically target only one pathway of pain transmission and provide only temporary relief, while corticosteroid injections can accelerate cartilage destruction with prolonged use. The new approach, according to the developers, affects multiple mechanisms related to pain and inflammation without causing dependence, as is the case with opioid analgesics.
Researchers also pointed out that using mature, non-dividing cells reduces the risks associated with cell therapy, including the likelihood of tumor transformation. Currently, the drug is in the preclinical trial stage; however, scientists believe that this method could open new horizons in the treatment of osteoarthritis, affecting not only the symptoms but also the very nature of the disease.
