Pentosan polysulfate sodium for Ross River virus-induced arthralgia: a phase 2a, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Krishnan R, Duiker M, Rudd PA, Skerrett D, Pollard JGD, Siddel C, Rifat R, Ng JHK, Georgius P, Hererro LJ, Griffin P · BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

The only placebo-controlled trial of subcutaneous PPS with a joint-symptom primary readout besides the OA program: grip strength in the dominant hand improved 6.99 kg more than placebo at day 15, RAPID3 pain and total scores improved versus placebo, and the cartilage markers COMP and CTX-II moved favorably. Injection-site reactions were the most common adverse event and were more frequent on PPS.

Population

20 adults with persistent joint pain after Ross River virus infection, Australia

Intervention

Subcutaneous PPS 2 mg/kg twice weekly for 6 weeks

Comparator

Placebo (0.9% sodium chloride), randomized 2:1

Limitations

Twenty participants, 2:1 randomization, and a viral arthralgia rather than osteoarthritis; three authors are Paradigm employees and the trial is the sponsor's own; day-15 effects on a 6-week course are early-timepoint results in a very small sample.