Researchers find new treatment that may quell joint swelling

A relatively new drug delivery system used in gene therapy for several health problems could have benefits for arthritis patients, according to a new study published in the Journal of Immunology.

Researchers from the Georgia Health Sciences University assessed the effects of DNA-covered microbeads, which are used to deliver medications to specific cells in patients with HIV, cancer or Parkinson's disease, in mice that had arthritis. The microbeads were injected into the mice without containing any specific medications.

The results showed that this therapy reduced swelling significantly in some of the areas most commonly affected by arthritis. Mice expressed fewer genetic markers of inflammation, which is typically one of the leading causes of the pain and discomfort associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

"It's like pouring water on a fire," said lead researcher Andrew L. Mellor. "The fire is burning down the house, which in this case is the tissue normally required for your joints to work smoothly."

The team said more research is needed before this can be used as a common treatment for arthritis, as the compounds used in the study do not degrade in the body. For the time being, arthritis patients may benefit from seeking a prescription to buy Celebrex.