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Stanford scientists regrow lost cartilage and reverse arthritis - fullmetal - 06-17-2026

This has indirect relevance to sports, and it seems pretty darn exciting if it all pans out.  The research focuses on inhibiting the enzyme 15-PGDH, whose levels correlate positively with age, from degrading its natural target, prostaglandin E2.  Very promising data was collected from mouse models and human knee cartilage in vitro.

https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2025/11/joint-cartilage-aging.html

RE: Stanford scientists regrow lost cartilage and reverse arthritis - SkiBum80 - 06-18-2026

(06-17-2026, 11:45 PM)fullmetal Wrote:  This has indirect relevance to sports, and it seems pretty darn exciting if it all pans out.  The research focuses on inhibiting the enzyme 15-PGDH, whose levels correlate positively with age, from degrading its natural target, prostaglandin E2.  Very promising data was collected from mouse models and human knee cartilage in vitro.

https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2025/11/joint-cartilage-aging.html

Yes very exciting, potential is hu.ge.

RE: Stanford scientists regrow lost cartilage and reverse arthritis - martyup - 06-18-2026

Phase 1 clinical trials were successful.  Phase 2 is scheduled to start now (mid-2026).

https://www.biospace.com/press-releases/epirium-bio-announces-positive-phase-1-clinical-trial-results-evaluating-mf-300-in-healthy-volunteers-a-first-in-class-oral-15-pgdh-enzyme-inhibitor-for-the-treatment-of-sarcopenia

RE: Stanford scientists regrow lost cartilage and reverse arthritis - TonyLima - 06-19-2026

TYVM. My knees are looking forward to this.

RE: Stanford scientists regrow lost cartilage and reverse arthritis - M T - 06-19-2026

(06-19-2026, 09:50 AM)TonyLima Wrote:  TYVM. My knees are looking forward to this.

Are you feeling weak in the knees?  

Note that the trials in the link that Martyup sent were for sarcopenia, which is weakness due to muscle loss.  I am not a physician but I think that is quite a bit different than osteoarthritis, which was the first condition mentioned in the Stanford article.  (Same drug in both trial and article, I believe)

RE: Stanford scientists regrow lost cartilage and reverse arthritis - Goose - 06-19-2026

(06-19-2026, 12:29 PM)M T Wrote:  Note that the trials in the link that Martyup sent were for sarcopenia, which is weakness due to muscle loss.  I am not a physician but I think that is quite a bit different than osteoarthritis, which was the first condition mentioned in the Stanford article.  (Same drug in both trial and article, I believe)
I am guessing they decided to do the trial in sarcopenia at least partially (mostly?) because there is no FDA approved therapy for that condition. Knees and hips have surgical treatment alternatives that work pretty well. It is easier to get approval for a therapy if there is no alternative therapy available. If you get that approval, "off label" use of the therapy for other diseases becomes possible. The drug has FDA safety approval. This approach has been used in the past to "fast track" the use of a drug into a market that otherwise would require much longer and more expensive clinical trials. Orphan drug designation is the ideal vehicle for such use, but sarcopenia is too common to receive such status. The trials for the "other indications" still get done, but will happen while it is already being used (potentially extensively) off label for those indications. The main downside of off label use is that insurance companies often will not pay for it.

RE: Stanford scientists regrow lost cartilage and reverse arthritis - TonyLima - 06-19-2026

(06-19-2026, 12:58 PM)Goose Wrote:  
(06-19-2026, 12:29 PM)M T Wrote:  Note that the trials in the link that Martyup sent were for sarcopenia, which is weakness due to muscle loss.  I am not a physician but I think that is quite a bit different than osteoarthritis, which was the first condition mentioned in the Stanford article.  (Same drug in both trial and article, I believe)
I am guessing they decided to do the trial in sarcopenia at least partially (mostly?) because there is no FDA approved therapy for that condition. Knees and hips have surgical treatment alternatives that work pretty well. It is easier to get approval for a therapy if there is no alternative therapy available. If you get that approval, "off label" use of the therapy for other diseases becomes possible. The drug has FDA safety approval. This approach has been used in the past to "fast track" the use of a drug into a market that otherwise would require much longer and more expensive clinical trials. Orphan drug designation is the ideal vehicle for such use, but sarcopenia is too common to receive such status. The trials for the "other indications" still get done, but will happen while it is already being used (potentially extensively) off label for those indications. The main downside of off label use is that insurance companies often will not pay for it.
What you said. Thanks.
(06-19-2026, 12:29 PM)M T Wrote:  
(06-19-2026, 09:50 AM)TonyLima Wrote:  TYVM. My knees are looking forward to this.

Are you feeling weak in the knees?  

Note that the trials in the link that Martyup sent were for sarcopenia, which is weakness due to muscle loss.  I am not a physician but I think that is quite a bit different than osteoarthritis, which was the first condition mentioned in the Stanford article.  (Same drug in both trial and article, I believe)
You may not be an MD but you read more carefully than me! TYVM.

RE: Stanford scientists regrow lost cartilage and reverse arthritis - TonyLima - 06-19-2026

Addendum: my knees are not that bad right now. My post was … excessively hopeful and forward-looking.