Therapeutic Targets for Drug Repurposing in Osteoarthritis

This book aims to serve as a vital resource in the quest to develop more effective treatments for osteoarthritis. Leveraging recent advancements in molecular biology, it lists and explains the roles of various pro-inflammatory molecules, enzymes, growth factors, and signaling pathways implicated in the disease. This includes detailed discussions on cytokines known to drive inflammation and joint degradation in osteoarthritis. This book also covers enzymes that play critical roles in cartilage breakdown and joint damage progression. Additionally, it explores the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and its regulatory molecules, highlighting their dual roles in cartilage homeostasis and inflammation. Growth factors are examined for their potential to promote tissue repair and modulate inflammatory responses. This book also delves into the NF-κB pathway, a central mediator of inflammatory and catabolic processes in osteoarthritis, detailing how its modulation could lead to therapeutic benefits. This comprehensive approach provides a valuable framework for understanding how these molecular entities contribute to disease progression and offers a basis for developing targeted interventions that could halt or reverse the degenerative processes in osteoarthritic joints. This book includes comprehensive reviews of the effects of specific modulators in animal models of osteoarthritis, where available. This evidence-based approach bridges the gap between theoretical research and practical applications, highlighting the potential therapeutic benefits and mechanisms of action of various drugs repurposed to target these molecular pathways. The aim is to provide valuable insights into the efficacy and safety of these treatments, setting the stage for future clinical trials and human applications, accelerating the discovery and implementation of novel therapies, and improving patient outcomes and quality of life.