A breakthrough in the treatment of osteoporosis

In a world where an aging population faces increasing health problems, a silent epidemic is quietly eroding the quality of life for millions of people. Osteoporosis affects one in three women and one in five men over 50 worldwide, which weakens bones and makes them vulnerable to life-altering fractures. However, as the global burden of this condition continues to grow, a glimmer of hope is emerging in the treatment of osteoporosis.

In this foreground a class of molecules is mentioned oligodeoxynucleotidesof one promising candidate, iSN40, that shows potential. This molecule targets osteoblasts, the cells responsible for building and strengthening our skeleton, potentially offering new life to people struggling with fragile bones.

Osteoporosis causes up to 37 million fragility fractures in persons over 55 years of age, which equates to approximately 70 fractures per minute worldwide. The need for effective treatments has never been more urgent. This research promises to improve the lives of millions of people to alleviate the enormous economic burden on healthcare systems worldwide.

Understanding osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by weakened bones, making them fragile and more prone to fractures. Osteoporosis occurs when the body loses too much bone, makes too little bone, or both. This process occurs gradually over time, earning osteoporosis the nickname of a “silent disease.”

As we age, our bones lose some of their density and strength due to an imbalance between bone breakdown and rebuilding in osteoporosis. This is partly because after 35 years, bone loss exceeds bone building. Hormonal changes also begin to occur as we age, especially in women after menopause, when estrogen levels drop. Other lifestyle factors may also play a role, such as lack of exercise, poor diet, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and certain medical conditions and medications.

Many osteoporosis treatments involve complex and expensive medications that contain certain proteins or hormones that help build bone or slow bone loss. Now we are moving closer to gene-based treatments known as osteogenetic oligodeoxynucleotides or osteoDN.

Introduction to osteogenetic oligodeoxynucleotides

osteogenic oligodeoxynucleotides, or osteoDNs, are derived from genomic sequences and are short DNA fragments designed from genetic material found in bacteria. These molecules work by targeting and activating osteoblasts, the cells responsible for building new bone tissue. By stimulating these cells, osteoDNs can help restore the balance between bone formation and resorption.

The research team screened a library of ODNs derived from the genome of a beneficial bacterium called Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG. They identified an ODN called iSN40 that showed a remarkable ability to promote bone cell development. iSN40 demonstrated several positive effects on bone cells, such as stimulating the expression of genes crucial for bone development and improving calcium deposition in bone cells.

Interestingly, the bone-promoting effects of iSN40 are not dependent on a specific DNA sequence, the CpG motif, which is known to trigger immune responses. This suggests that iSN40 could stimulate bone growth without causing unwanted immune responses.

The discovery of iSN40 is fascinating because nucleic acid-based drugs such as ODNs offer several advantages over traditional protein-based treatments. They are easier and cheaper to manufacture, have better stability during storage, and can be designed to target specific cells or processes in the body. This research opens new possibilities for developing innovative treatments for osteoporosis.

The next steps include testing the effectiveness of iSN40 in animal models and ultimately in clinical trials. If successful, this approach could lead to more accessible and affordable treatments for the millions of people suffering from osteoporosis and other bone disorders.

On the way to the future

The discovery of iSN40 represents a milestone in osteoporosis research. This osteogenetic oligodeoxynucleotide offers a new and efficient way to stimulate bone formation, bringing hope to the millions of people affected by the disease. Although translating these findings into clinical practice poses challenges, the potential benefits are enormous. With the emergence of iSN40 and similar oligodeoxynucleotides, the future of osteoporosis treatment looks promising.

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This story is part of a series about current advances in regenerative medicine. In 1999, I defined regenerative medicine as the set of interventions that restore tissues and organs damaged by disease, injured by trauma, or worn down by time to normal function. I include a full spectrum of chemical, gene and protein-based medicines, cell-based therapies and biomechanical interventions that achieve that goal.

In this sub-series we focus specifically on gene therapies. We explore current treatments and explore the advances that are poised to transform healthcare. Each article in this collection delves into a different aspect of gene therapy’s role within the larger story of regenerative medicine.

To learn more about regenerative medicine, read more stories at www.williamhaseltine.com