Recent advancements in microspheres mediated targeted delivery for therapeutic interventions in osteoarthritis

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA), affecting around 240 million people globally is a major threat. Currently, available drugs only treat the symptoms of OA; they cannot reverse the disease’s progression. The delivery of drugs to afflicted joints is challenging because of poor vasculature of articular cartilage results in their less bioavailability and quick elimination from the joints. Recently approved drugs such as KGN and IL-1 receptor antagonists also encounter challenges because of inadequate formulations. Therefore, microspheres could be a potential player for the intervention of OA owing to its excellent physicochemical properties. This review primarily focuses on microspheres of distinct biomaterials acting as cargo for drugs and biologicals via different delivery routes in the effective management of OA. Microspheres can improve the efficacy of therapeutics by targeting strategies at specific body locations. This review also highlights clinical trials conducted in the last few decades.