In a new study, researchers found that MIV-711, a novel selective cathepsin K inhibitor, was not more effective than a placebo for reducing pain related to knee osteoarthritis.
But this drug could strongly delay osteoarthritis development.
The research was led by the University of Leeds.
Osteoarthritis of the knee is a painful, disabling condition affecting more than 14 million people in the United States and hundreds of millions worldwide.
The pain of knee OA arises from a series of pathologic processes involving articular cartilage, subchondral bone, synovium, meniscus, and other joint structures, ultimately leading to joint failure and pain-related functional limitations.
In the study, the researchers sought to test the hypothesis that cathepsin K inhibitor could alleviate osteoarthritis symptoms by reducing the degeneration of bone and cartilage.
They tested 244 patients with primary knee osteoarthritis. These patients received either 100 or 200 mg daily of MIV-711 or matched placebo for 26 weeks.
The primary endpoint of the study changed in pain score, but changes in disease progression were also assessed using quantitative MRI outcomes.
The researchers found that compared with placebo, MIV-711 was linked to less bone remodeling, less cartilage volume loss, and lower levels of bone resorption and collagen loss.
However, it showed no beneficial effects on osteoarthritic knee pain.
According to the team, further evaluation is needed to confirm the structural benefits of MIV-711 and to determine whether these translate to more tangible benefits on disease symptoms.
The lead author of the study is Philip G. Conaghan, MBBS, PhD.
The study is published in Annals of Internal Medicine.
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