Lorecivivint (SM04690), an intra-articular, small-molecule CLK/DYRK1A inhibitor that modulates the WNT pathway, as a potential treatment for meniscal injuries

Abstract

Purpose: Meniscal injuries are the most common pathology of the knee and are associated with pain, stiffness, and localized swelling. Meniscal damage is a frequent finding on MRI images of knee osteoarthritis (OA); while a meniscal tear can lead to knee OA, knee OA can also lead to a spontaneous meniscal tear. Efforts to repair meniscal damage have been largely unsuccessful and do not prevent the progression of degenerative changes that lead to knee OA. The Wnt signaling pathway has been shown to be regulated during meniscal development, suggesting that manipulation of this pathway may influence the regenerative capacity of the meniscus.