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The current invention represents the first and only disease modifying treatment to date that protects against cartilage degradation.
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Summary The invention provides methods for the protection, repair and regeneration of articular cartilage, and fibrocartilaginous tissues using recombinant parathyroid hormones, such the FDA approved biologic agent – teriparatide (Forteo®, Eli Lilly). Currently, the only treatments for cartilage degeneration and osteoarthritis (OA) involve palliation focused on pain management and joint replacement. The longstanding inability to develop a disease-modifying therapy that can rejuvenate joint cartilage is a great unmet need considering the high prevalence of OA nationally (>25% of the US population by 2020) and globally. Using a mouse model of posttramatic OA, the inventors have demonstrated that one month of daily injections of Forteo® prevents progressive articular cartilage loss while inducing chondroregeneration. Specifically, Forteo® stimulates articular cartilage thickening via an induction of cartilage matrix production by cartilage cells. Clinical trials of Forteo® as a cartilage-regenerating therapy in humans have been planned.