Degenerative disc disease: analysis of treatments, tissue, and market

Abstract

The prevalence of intervertebral thinning discs and the degradation of spinal discs as a whole has created a new market and area of research to find a solution to this age-related problem. The loss of the cartilage cushioning two vertebrae is called degenerative disc disease, or DDD. DDD can impact a patient’s quality of life greatly – putting them in severe pain, limiting mobility, and decreasing their ability to perform daily activities. The market for DDD treatment shows promising growth, both globally and in the US. Most of the drugs and devices that are currently on the market aim to alleviate pain or reduce inflammation, addressing the symptoms of DDD rather than regenerating the lost disc tissue. However, there are many new treatments that are in development or are being tested in clinical trials that could satisfy this need. In the context of tissue engineering, regeneration of the intervertebral disc is a prime target. A scaffold could fulfill the need for mechanical support in between the vertebrae and growth factors and cells could stimulate the regrowth of the injured tissue.