siRNA-Mediated Therapy: A Novel Avenue for Osteoarthritis Treatment

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease characterized by progressive cartilage degradation, synovial inflammation, and abnormal subchondral bone remodeling. Current therapeutic approaches primarily alleviate OA symptoms rather than slow its progression, underscoring the unmet need for etiology-directed therapies. Specific silencing of disease-driving genes using siRNA-based technology has received attention as a potential treatment strategy for OA. Candidate siRNA targets in OA include proinflammatory cytokines, catabolic enzymes, and signaling pathways that collectively drive cartilage destruction and synovitis. This review provides an in-depth exploration of the pathological features of OA and current treatment strategies, along with a comprehensive overview of the potential therapeutic benefits and challenges in clinical application. Building on recent advances in siRNA-based therapeutic targets and delivery systems, there is a valid conceptual foundation for the future development of novel siRNA-based diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for OA. Contemporary high-resolution and high-throughput technologies, especially single-cell sequencing and organoid-based drug screening, also facilitate the transition of siRNA-based therapies from experimental frameworks to clinical applications, offering a promising paradigm shift in disease-modifying treatment for OA.