At the recent 2026 Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) World Congress held in West Palm Beach, Florida, SmartTRAK sat down with incoming OARSI President Nancy Lane, MD, to explore the rapidly shifting landscape of OA treatment. Moving beyond the traditional focus on bone and cartilage, Dr. Lane discusses the critical role of "tissue crosstalk," highlighting how intramuscular fat directly influences knee pain and how severe OA may even be linked to cognitive decline. In this candid interview, we delve into the market realities of current orthobiologics (hyaluronic acid, platelet-rich plasma and mesenchymal stem cells) and the promise of emerging interventions (GLP-1 agonists, viral gene therapies like PCRX-201).
If you'd like to find out more, click the following video (27:59 min). Interview topics, organized by timecode, are provided below, as is a link to download a complete transcript of the interview.
Interview Topics by Timecode
00:18 Introduction of Nancy Lane, MD, OARSI Incoming President.
03:04 The role of muscle tissue in OA. It may not only be about the joint.
06:30 The cognitive connection: Cognitive abilities could be a future outcome measure.
08:38 Advocation of surrogate biomarkers in OA. Is there a better way?
11:47 Access to research funding and partnership opportunities with industry.
14:13 The potential of gene therapies in OA treatment.
15:20 GLP-1’s and their potential role in the treatment of OA.
17:15 Cryoanalgesics and their promise for OA pain treatment.
18:34 Metabolic rejuvenation with inhibition of gerozymes, influencing skeletal stem cells.
23:56 HA, PRP, BMC, Adipose, are any of these effective?
Discover how emerging therapies and new clinical insights are reshaping the osteoarthritis landscape. Click the button below to download the full transcript of SmartTRAK GM/Sr Analyst, Orthobio & Regen, David Shepherd’s interview with incoming OARSI President Nancy Lane, MD, and learn what may be next in OA treatment.