Elderly’s quality of life will increase

4 scientists from Izmir University of Economics (IUE) have begun work on developing a drug aimed at treating osteoarthritis, a disease mostly seen in individuals over the age of 55 due to tissue and cartilage loss in the joints. The study, which inspires hope for a rapid treatment for the disease, also known as calcification, which causes severe pain in the feet, knees, waist, and hips, will be completed in 30 months. The project, which has been awarded support of 1 million 650 thousand TL by TUBITAK, aims to develop a drug following the analysis of cells taken from patients' bone tissues in a laboratory environment and determining their genetic effects.

The study, expected to offer a new solution to the disease seen in approximately 530 million people worldwide, is led by Prof. Dr. Zeynep Fırtına Karagonlar, Head of IUE Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, will be completed by Asst. Prof. Dr. Cihangir Yandım from the same department, along with Prof. Dr. Metiner Tosun and Dr. Elif Barış from the Faculty of Medicine. The project will also receive support from Prof. Dr. Devrim Pesen Okvur from the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Izmir Institute of Technology, and Prof. Dr. Nadir Özkayın and Op. Dr. Volga Öztürk from the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology at Ege University Faculty of Medicine.

113% INCREASE

Sharing details about the study, Prof. Dr. Karagonlar stated that they aim to improve the quality of life for osteoarthritis patients. Highlighting that painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs are mostly used in the treatment of osteoarthritis, Prof. Dr. Karagonlar emphasized that their goal is to develop a more effective and rapid solution. Prof. Dr. Karagonlar said, “According to World Health Organization statistics, there is a 113% increase in the incidence of osteoarthritis over the next 9 years. Approximately 528 million people worldwide live with osteoarthritis. Of these individuals, 73% are over 55 years old and 60% are women. There is a need for a new treatment to improve the quality of life for osteoarthritis patients and reverse the painful process. We took action with this goal and created our project.”

THOROUGH EXAMINATION

Prof. Dr. Karagonlar continued as follows, “Within the scope of our study, we will take samples from cells extracted from the cartilage and bones of current patients. We will then observe the transition and movement of these cells under a microscope. While performing next-generation gene sequencing on tissues, we will also determine the genetic effects of a potential drug. Our goal is to lay the groundwork for developing an effective drug that can be used in the treatment of the disease. I believe we will be successful in this.”

Prof. Dr. Karagonlar stated that the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Association, established to support joint studies of scientists in Europe, has created an open European network on osteoarthritis research and that IUE is also part of this network. Karagonlar added that this COST project they prepared has also been awarded financial support within the scope of ‘international projects’.