Vaccine raises hope for million living with knee osteoarthritis

A knee osteoarthritis vaccine shows promising results in patients, offering hope to millions in the UK with the condition.

The degenerative condition occurs when protective joint cartilage wears down, causing pain, stiffness and swelling.

It affects about 10 million people in the UK, has no cure, and is managed with physiotherapy, exercise and weight loss.

An immunotherapy drug, a treatment that helps the immune system target disease and is commonly used against cancers, showed encouraging results in a small group of patients.

The vaccine targets interleukin 6 (IL-6), an inflammatory protein that can drive cartilage breakdown and joint swelling. IL-6 levels rise during flare-ups that may last weeks or months.

By reducing excess IL-6, the drug aims to ease symptoms and limit joint damage.

To test it, researchers divided 24 participants with knee osteoarthritis into two groups. Eighteen received three doses over 16 weeks and six received placebo jabs.

After 42 weeks, those given the vaccine had significantly lower IL-6 levels.

In a follow-up questionnaire nearly a year later, the vaccine group also reported less pain and better quality of life.

Dr Francois Rannou, the study’s lead author at the University of Paris Descartes, said: “Given the lack of a curative and lasting solution for patients suffering from osteoarthritis, this is an encouraging first step for further clinical development.”

A stage II trial with more than 200 participants will be launched across Europe next year.