Biologics News

Recently published research has led to a greater understanding of the role that a family of cells known as Maf factors play in regulating bone and cartilage formation, particularly as it relates to the earliest stages of osteoarthritis.

Researchers from Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine in Japan have used mouse skin cells to create cells resembling chondrocytes that produced cartilage when injected into mice.

Investigators from University of Missouri and Columbia University say a proof of concept study that created biological joints in animals leads them to believe that biological joint replacement for humans is not far behind, according to a University of Missouri press release.

A novel process called bio-ferrography may help physicians diagnose diseases in their early stages, determine drug efficacy and ascertain the condition of orthopedic implants, according to research recently published in Acta Biomaterialia.

A study published in the Dec. 1 edition of Spine has found that a DNA test used to determine the likelihood of curve progression in children with mild adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is 99% accurate in predicting which children are least likely to progress to a severe curve.

The FDA Arthritis Advisory Committee voted 13-2 with no abstentions in support of a biologic license application for 10 mg/kg IV belimumab with the proposed indication of reducing the disease activity of active auto-antibody-positive systemic lupus erythematosus in adults.

Applying tranexamic acid directly on the surgical wound reduced postoperative bleeding after total knee arthroplasty, according to results of a randomized controlled trial.

Inflammation may help heal damaged muscle tissue, according to the results of a study recently published in the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal.

The biologic drug bortezomib — a proteasome inhibitor used for multiple myeloma — may represent a promising treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, based on a new study conducted by Greek investigators.

The use of parathyroid hormone prior to treatment by an antiresorptive drug, like alendronate, could be effective in the battle against osteoporosis, according to research published in the November issue of Cell Stem Cell.