Next-generation arthritis treatments could benefit both horses and humans

TSRI Professor Paul Robbins, PhD, who develops therapies to address cellular senescence and aging-related diseases, has collaborated with David Frisbie, DVM, PhD, and Wayne McIlwraith, DVM, PhD, at Colorado State University’s Orthopedic Research Center to advance innovative osteoarthritis treatments for horses and humans. 

More than 27 million people live with osteoarthritis, and it turns out, elite racing and jumping horses do, too. Repeated athletic performance can damage cartilage, said Timothy Ober, DVM, senior veterinarian with John R. Steele & Associates and U.S. Team Veterinarian, Show Jumping. Cartilage lacks a blood and nerve supply, and so it generally doesn’t heal well on its own. Robbins told the group of about 40 equestrians and veterinarians who attended the Feb. 6 symposium about KA34, a compound discovered at the TSRI-affiliated non-profit the California Institute for Biomedical Research (Calibr). The experimental drug encourages adult stem cells in the joint to mature toward chondrocytes, the cells that produce and maintain healthy cartilage, Robbins said. Robbins said clearing senescent cells, which may drive inflammation and many other diseases of aging, including arthritis, may one day be a complementary therapy to such regenerative approaches.

“We have identified two drugs that actually reduce the level of senescent cells. In animals, speed, endurance and strength improves after treatment,” Robbins told the equestrians.

Intervening to prevent early cartilage loss in horses is an important goal, Ober added. “Joint pain and joint inflammation are the biggest challenge we face,” Ober said.