Gene Therapy May Stop Arthritis Pain

U.S. researchers say a new gene therapy may eliminate arthritis pain and reduce long-term joint damage.

A study published Friday in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatism says early-stage research on mice shows one injection of the gene therapy relieved 100 percent of osteoarthritic pain. The therapy also reduced joint damage by nearly 35 percent.

Researchers at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry used gene therapy to increase the number of opioid receptors expressed on the surfaces of nerve cells that carry pain messages. The treatment made nerve cells drastically more responsive to the naturally occurring painkiller.

The researchers say they hope to apply to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for permission to begin human trials next year.