Mod7 Project Submission

Hydrogel-Based Drug Delivery for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis Research Previous Approaches and Outline Method to Tackle Problem 1. Use of NSAIDs in treating patients with arthritis https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3891482/ Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often used to treat pain and inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here are the advantages and disadvantages of this approach: Advantages: a. NSAIDs can provide relief from pain and inflammation in RA. b. They are easily available and can be taken orally or applied topically. c. They can be used in combination with other medications for RA. Disadvantages: a. NSAIDs can cause side effects such as stomach irritation, gastrointestinal bleeding, and kidney problems. b. They may not slow down the progression of RA or prevent joint damage. c. Long-term use of NSAIDs may increase the risk of cardiovascular events. To make this approach more successful, several improvements could be made, such as: a. Developing new NSAIDs with fewer side effects b. Combining NSAIDs with other medications that can slow down the progression of RA, such as DMARDs or biologic DMARDs. c. Prescribing NSAIDs at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible duration. NSAIDs are not considered the gold standard for treating RA. They are typically used as a first-line treatment to relieve pain and inflammation in mild cases of RA. However, for moderate to severe cases, DMARDs or biologic DMARDs are preferred as they can slow down the progression of RA and prevent joint damage. NSAIDs are still used in combination with these medications to provide additional relief from pain and inflammation. Overall, the treatment plan for RA varies depending on the individual and their specific symptoms and health status. It's important to consult with a healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate treatment options. 2. Kiani A, Esmaeilzadeh E, Aghazadeh M, et al. Recent advances in nanostructured materials for rheumatoid arthritis therapy. Curr Pharm Des. 2021;27(24):2711-2727. doi: 10.2174/1381612827666201104093153. PMID: 33153427. This review article discusses recent advances in the use of nanostructured materials for RA therapy. The article covers various approaches including the use of nanocarriers for drug delivery, nanomaterials for tissue engineering, and nanoparticles for imaging and diagnosis. Advantages : Nanostructured materials offer a promising approach for targeted drug delivery and tissue engineering in RA therapy. Disadvantages : Further research is needed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of nanostructured materials for RA therapy. Current status : This approach is still in the research phase but holds promise for future RA therapy. 3. O'Neil LJ, Kaplan MJ. New strategies for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Discovery Med. 2013 Jan;15(80):237-44. PMID: 23524692. This review article discusses new strategies for the treatment of RA, including the use of biologic therapies and small molecule inhibitors. The article also discusses the need for personalized medicine approaches in RA treatment. Advantages : Biologic therapies and small molecule inhibitors offer targeted approaches for RA treatment.

Disadvantages : The cost and potential side effects of these therapies may limit access for some patients. Current status: Biologic therapies and small molecule inhibitors are currently used in clinical practice for RA treatment. 4. Tanaka Y. Recent progress and perspective in JAK inhibitors for rheumatoid arthritis: from bench to bedside. J Biochem. 2020 Nov 1;168(5):357-366. doi: 10.1093/jb/mvaa073. PMID: 32510133. This review article discusses the use of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors for RA treatment. The article covers the development of JAK inhibitors and their efficacy and safety in clinical trials. Advantages : JAK inhibitors offer a targeted approach for RA treatment with fewer side effects than traditional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Disadvantages : JAK inhibitors may increase the risk of infections and require monitoring for potential adverse events. Current status : JAK inhibitors are currently used in clinical practice for RA treatment. 5. Lai J, Lu X, Wu H, et al. Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis Using a Combination of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Dendritic Cells: A Review of Preclinical and Clinical Studies. Stem Cells Int. 2020 Oct 22;2020:8852768. doi: 10.1155/2020/8852768. PMID: 33193958; PMCID: PMC7604028. This review article discusses the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and dendritic cells (DCs) as a combination therapy for RA treatment. The article covers preclinical and clinical studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of this approach. Advantages : MSC-DC combination therapy offers a potential targeted and personalized approach for RA treatment. Disadvantages : Further research is needed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of MSC-DC combination therapy for RA treatment, and to optimize dosing and delivery strategies. Current Status: This approach is still in the research phase, but shows promise for future RA therapy. 6. Nguyen HL, Tran NT, Nguyen CT, et al. Evaluation of Disease Activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Treated with the Combination of Methotrexate and Hydroxychloroquine by Using Disease Activity Score 28. Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2019 Feb 5;7(3):406-409. doi: 10.3889/oamjms.2019.083. PMID: 30788167; PMCID: PMC6375807. This study evaluates the efficacy of the combination of methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine for RA treatment, using the Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28) as a measure of disease activity. Advantages : The combination of methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine is a commonly used treatment for RA and this study provides evidence for its efficacy. Disadvantages : This study is limited by its small sample size and short duration of follow-up. Current status : The combination of methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine is currently used in clinical practice for RA treatment. 7. Hammoudeh M, Saeed MA, Hussein H, et al. Tofacitinib versus Methotrexate in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. Biomed Res Int. 2020 May 21;2020:8715849. doi: 10.1155/2020/8715849. PMID: 32461962; PMCID: PMC7251746. This systematic review and network meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy of tofacitinib compared to methotrexate for RA treatment. Advantages : This study provides important information about the efficacy of tofacitinib compared to a commonly used RA treatment, methotrexate. Disadvantages : This study is limited by the availability of high-quality data, and additional research is needed to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of tofacitinib compared to other RA treatments. Current status: Tofacitinib is a relatively new RA treatment that has been approved by the FDA, but further research is needed to fully understand its place in RA treatment.

treatments to individual patients and I think Hydrogel based drug delivery systems overlaps both those areas. 3. What do you still need to find out about the idea? I was first going with the idea of purely drug delivery with hydrogel-based injections, but I am considering if the novelty can be regeneration of cartilage by using polymeric hydrogel. Polymeric hydrogels can be tailored to provide specific mechanical and biological properties and have shown to promote chondrogenesis in vitro and support cartilage regeneration. 4. What questions do you have for us? As mentioned above, I was not sure if it is doable in one project. And if I should just focus on the drug delivery element for symptoms management or cartilage regeneration.