Inflammation reduction methods used in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) could be used in
Osteoarthritis (OA)
Drug/Class
Mechanism of
action
IL-1 receptor
antagonist
Efficacy
Safety profile
Approval status
Limited efficacy
in OA; more
effective in
rheumatoid
arthritis.
Generally safe;
injection site
reactions
common.
Approved for
rheumatoid
arthritis; off-label
for OA.
AF-12198
Selectively
binds and
inhibits the
human IL-1
type I receptor,
blocking IL-1β
activity
Demonstrated
inhibition of IL-1induced IL-8 and
ICAM-1
expression in in
vitro studies; no
clinical approval
yet
Not well studied;
potential
unknown risks
Experimental; not
yet approved for
clinical use
Etanercept
(Enbrel)
TNF-α inhibitor
Mixed results in
OA; primarily
used for
rheumatoid
arthritis.
Risk of
infections;
contraindicated in
certain
conditions.
Approved for
rheumatoid
arthritis; not
approved for OA.
Limited data in
OA; effective in
rheumatoid
arthritis.
Increased risk of
infections; liver
enzyme
elevations.
Approved for
rheumatoid
arthritis;
investigational
for OA.
Anakinra
(Kineret)
Tocilizumab
(Actemra)
IL-6 receptor
antagonist
Tanezumab
Nerve growth
factor (NGF)
inhibitor
Demonstrated
pain reduction in
OA; concerns
about joint safety.
Associated with
rapidly
progressing OA
in some cases.
Not approved;
under
investigation.
Celecoxib
(Celebrex)
COX-2
inhibitor
Effective in
reducing pain and
inflammation in
OA.
Approved for OA
and rheumatoid
arthritis.
Etoricoxib
(Arcoxia)
COX-2
inhibitor
Comparable
efficacy to
traditional
NSAIDs in OA.
Licofelone
Dual
COX/LOX
inhibitor
Showed efficacy
in reducing OA
symptoms in
clinical trials.
CNTX-4975
TRPV1 agonist
Demonstrated
pain reduction in
knee OA;
received FDA fast
track designation.
Lower
gastrointestinal
risk than nonselective
NSAIDs;
potential
cardiovascular
risks.
Increased risk of
cardiovascular
events; reduced
gastrointestinal
side effects.
Potential for
reduced
gastrointestinal
toxicity compared
to traditional
NSAIDs.
Larger trials
required to
confirm efficacy
and evaluate
safety.
Approved in
some countries;
not approved in
the USA.
Not approved;
development
discontinued
Not approved;
under
investigation.