Stanford Scientists Regrow Knee Cartilage with Gerozyme Inhibitor
Stanford University scientists have developed an injection that regrows aging knee cartilage by blocking the gerozyme 15-PGDH, a protein involved in aging. Led by Helen Blau, PhD, and Nidhi Bhutani, PhD, the treatment was tested on old mice, reversing cartilage loss and increasing muscle mass and endurance. It also stimulated new cartilage growth in human tissue samples from knee replacement surgeries and prevented arthritis after ACL tears. An oral version is now in clinical trials. The findings address osteoarthritis, which affects 53 million U.S. adults, by directly targeting cartilage loss rather than just managing symptoms.
Key facts
- Stanford University scientists led by Helen Blau and Nidhi Bhutani developed an injection that blocks the gerozyme 15-PGDH.
- The treatment regrows aging knee cartilage and prevents arthritis in animal tests.
- It was tested on old mice, reversing cartilage loss and improving muscle mass and endurance.
- Human tissue samples from knee replacement surgeries responded by making new functional cartilage.
- The injection also prevented arthritis after knee injuries such as ACL tears.
- An oral version of the treatment is currently in clinical trials.
- Osteoarthritis affects about 53 million U.S. adults, according to the CDC.
- The gerozyme inhibitor directly targets the cause of cartilage loss, unlike existing drugs.
Entities
Institutions
- Stanford University
- Stanford Medicine
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Locations
- United States