Designing a method for delivering drugs directly to the joint in rheumatoid arthritis

Disease - Rheumatoid arthritis

Lead applicant - Dr David Gould

Organisation - Queen Mary University of London

Type of grant - Project Grant

Status of grant - Active

Amount of the original award - £165,000.38

Start date - 11 July 2016

Reference - 21210

Public Summary

What are the aims of this research?

This research aims to investigate a new method of drug delivery to observe its long term effects on symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Why is this research important?

Beneficial effects of many drugs for rheumatoid arthritis come from their effects within the joint whilst the side effects are often as a result of the drug being released elsewhere in the body. By keeping the drug within the joint scientists believe the effects will be longer lasting and therefore could improve the treatment outcomes.
By using nano-technology scientists can attempt to deliver the drugs directly into the joint and maintain the drug in this site for long term effects on symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. If this proves successful, scientists will then further expand the treatment to make it on-demand whereby the drug will be released into the joint in response to clinically relevant physical stimuli.

How will the findings benefit patients?

This research will provide important progress for patients to receive greater benefit from treatments as many different current drugs could be delivered directly to the joint with fewer side effects as a result.