Researchers identify promising disease-modifying osteoarthritis treatment targeting CDK8/19

Royal Veterinary College scientists have developed a promising preclinical treatment that improves joint function and biology by blocking CDK8/19, potentially revolutionising osteoarthritis therapy.

Royal Veterinary College researchers have produced one of the stronger recent preclinical leads in osteoarthritis: a Bone Research paper published on 25 August found that blocking CDK8/19 in STR/Ort mice, a spontaneous model of the disease, improved both function and the underlying joint biology rather than merely easing discomfort. The study reported corrected gait asymmetry, better treadmill completion, lower serum biomarkers and fewer mineralised growth-plate bridges, while human osteoarthritic cartilage showed CDK8, MED12 and pSTAT1 concentrated in lesion sites.

That matters because, as the journal notes, there are still no approved disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs in clinical use, and current treatment typically focuses on pain, inflammation and mobility. Vet Times reported that, over 12 weeks, treated mice appeared alert, active and well-groomed, while untreated controls were less mobile, larger and often piloerect. Osteoarthritis affects more than 527 million people worldwide, about half of horses over 15, rising to 90% in those over 30, and up to 80% of older dogs.

The compounds were originally developed at the Institute of Cancer Research with Merck Healthcare KGaA and Cardiff University for cancer, but were abandoned for that purpose and are now being repurposed. Funding came from the RVC’s Mellon Fund for Equine Research and HEIF. Scott Roberts told Vet Times the work offered “a pharmaceutical option for disease reversal”.

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