Effects of pentosan polysulfate sodium on synovial fluid biomarkers in moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis: an exploratory, phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Skerrett DL, Stapledon CJM, Ahuja M, et al. · Arthritis Research & Therapy

Synovial-fluid cartilage-degradation marker ARGS-aggrecan fell ~57% vs placebo (p=0.028) with favorable shifts in other cartilage biomarkers; a biomarker trial, not a symptom-efficacy trial.

Population

Adults with moderate-to-severe knee OA (Paradigm PARA_OA_008; ACTRN12621000136808)

Intervention

Subcutaneous injectable PPS once or twice weekly over 39 days, followed to day 365

Comparator

Placebo injections

Limitations

Sponsor-run (Paradigm employees/shareholders among authors); exploratory endpoints; small n; symptom benefits require the ongoing phase 3 to confirm.