New compound found for treating rheumatoid arthritis

BOZEMAN, Mont., May 21 (UPI) -- Researchers at Montana State University have identified a chemical compound that stopped the destruction of cartilage and bone that leads rheumatoid arthritis patients to lose joint function and mobility.

The compound, IQ-1S, is a sodium salt that was found to block kinase proteins, which cause the inflammation and destruction of cartilage and bone in collagen-induced arthritis, an animal model of rheumatoid arthritis used for testing treatments.

IQ-1S is one of a new type of drugs called biologics that are made from genetically engineered proteins or antibodies. The compound was identified in previous studies before being tested for use against rheumatoid arthritis.

"There is a real need to develop new kinds of drugs that are different," said Mark Quinn, a professor in MSU's Department of Microbiology and Immunology, in a press release. "They could be combined with other available drugs or replace drugs that aren't working for patients."

The paper is published in the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.