Osteoarthritis Biomarkers Global Initiative

Introduction
No biomarkers are validated for the diagnosis and progression of OA. While there have been significant progress, a great deal of work needs to be done to bring the field of OA Biomarkers into the clinical practice and for clinical trials of potential drugs for OA. There is enthusiastic support for bringing together scientists working in the field of OA Biomarkers. This initiative was begun in 2007 by conversations with Bernadette Tyree, PhD and Joan McGowan, PhD and Gayle Lester, PhD from the NIAMS. All had been involved in the previous NIH Biomarkers Network. Funding was requested for three meetings by Linda Sandell, PhD, in 2008. The OA Biomarkers Global Initiative became an official Initiative of the OARSI in September of 2008 and the Rome Biomarkers Workshop sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation was held in Rome, Chaired by Dr. Sandell and Dr. Dick Heinegård.

Goals:

  • Provide a forum for interchange of information and ideas between members of the biomarkers community
  • Provide a structure for biomarkers discovery and use
  • Provide resources to move the field ahead
  • Produce white papers, guidelines, validation criteria, etc.

Strategy:
Three meetings are planned over the next four years that will provide a forum for discussion and decision making. The Rome Workshop was the beginning of these meetings held in conjunction with the OARSI Annual Meeting and sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation. An NIH grant has been applied for that will provide the foundation for funding for these meetings. The three next meetings will be:

Meeting 1 – Serum Biomarkers for OA

Chair: Virginia Byers-Kraus, MD
April 23-24, 2009
Washington DC

Meeting 2 – Biomarkers Generated from Genetic Studies

Chair: John Loughlin, PhD
Tentative Date and Location: October 2010
Washington, DC

Meeting 3 – Imaging and Biomarkers

Chair: David Hunter, PhD
Tentative Date and Location: Spring 2012
Washington, DC

OA BIOMARKERS TEAM
Funding has been received from the following organizations:
National Institute for Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Osteoarthritis Research Foundation International (OARSI)
Athritis Foundation, USA
Canadian Arthritis Network (in planning)

Click Here for Workshop Program and Slides