With your support, we have invested over £540m in arthritis research, making us one of the largest global funders. Our world-leading research continues to change our understanding of arthritis conditions, paving the way for a future free from arthritis.
Our groundbreaking research has led to the discovery of a new class of biologic drugs which have improved the lives of almost 2 million people worldwide. They work by blocking the TNF protein that causes inflammation.
The anti-TNF revolutionT-cells are a group of immune cells, some of which play a key role in causing the inflammation in seen in inflammatory arthritis. Research has showed that anti-TNF therapy triggers T-cells to switch from causing inflammation to stopping it.
How anti-TNF therapy makes T cells switch rolesIt’s been 25 years since the first anti-TNF drugs were approved for treatment. They are the result of days, months and years of painstaking research, trials and tests funded by us and The Kennedy Trust. Anti-TNF drugs, such as infliximab and adalimumab, work by blocking parts of the immune system that cause inflammation. It also stops damage to the joints, and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, which can make a huge difference to people’s lives.
Explore anti-TNF history
For many years, we’ve known that mechanical loading and inflammation contribute to osteoarthritis but the biological processes that link these factors were unknown. The impact of joint injury and joint surgery on our biomechanics and biology, and subtleties in gait or alignment that could contribute to long-term disease, was also unclear. Until now.
Our researchers are working hard to transform our knowledge of the underlying causes of chronic pain. They are moving ideas towards real, life-changing treatments.
Read the news storyWe recently funded a study called LIFT, where our researchers discovered that physical activity and talking therapies can improve fatigue caused by inflammatory arthritis.
Read the news storyWe developed a state-of-the-art treatment in early osteoarthritis called Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI) where damaged cartilage is repaired with cells grown in a lab.
Read the news storyCertain types of exercise are not only safe for people with arthritis, but they can also be as effective in reducing pain as taking painkillers by reducing sensitisation.
Read the news storyHope is on the horizon for lupus patients who don’t respond to current treatments, as major trial discovers a biomarker that holds real promise of a better future.
Read the news story
Research discovers new things and solves problems by searching for the answers to important questions we don’t know the answers to yet.
Find out how you can help to shape the questions we ask, and how we answer them, or how you can take part in the research itself near where you live.
After losing mobility in her legs, young mum, Ayo, was hospitalised in 2009 and needed oxygen to help her to breathe before being diagnosed with lupus. Since becoming a research partner, she supports the research team by reviewing applications for funding.
Arthritis researchers are on the brink of the next discovery. Listen to these inspiring researchers, Professor Claudia Mauri, Professor David Isenberg and Dr Elizabeth Rosser, talk about their vital work and the life-changing potential of 'Plan B'.
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