Osteoarthritic pain: a review of current, theoretical and emerging therapeutics

Background: Despite exciting progress and growth in the understanding of molecular and cellular mechanisms of chronic pain, osteoarthritis (OA) pain remains a challenging clinical entity to treat. There is an emerging diversity of algogenic mechanisms suggesting heterogeneity in pain aetiology in the OA patient population. Objective/methods: This review article summarises key issues in existing therapies for OA pain and highlights the emerging compounds in early and late development. It also highlights where tolerability may be a concern, especially in the older populations in which treatment interactions for co-morbid conditions may further narrow therapeutic index. Importantly, the authors also examine the diversity of biology that underpins OA pain and highlight the opportunities for the future. Results/conclusions: Many emerging therapies are presently in proof-of-concept clinical testing for treatment of OA. A growing understanding of the heterogeneity in the OA patient population, will challenge the...