New material mimics cartilage, targets arthritis flare-ups.
New material senses body changes, releases drugs for arthritis.
Why it matters
- Could improve arthritis treatment by targeting flare-ups.
- May reduce side effects and improve quality of life.
By the numbers
- Arthritis affects >10M in UK, >600M worldwide.
- Costs NHS £10.2B annually.
- Material responds to pH changes for targeted drug release.
The big picture
- Potential for new generation of responsive biomaterials.
- Could revolutionize treatment of chronic diseases like arthritis and cancer.
What they're saying
- Could change treatment of chronic illnesses if proven safe and effective in real biological systems.
Caveats
- Needs extensive clinical trials before patient use.
- Must be tested in living systems for performance and safety.
What’s next
- Testing in living systems.
- Potential for long-lasting, targeted treatments.