Improving Osteoarthritis Therapy through the design of Intra-articular Drug Delivery Systems engineered with Artificial Intelligence Tools

Resumo

This thesis highlights the crucial role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in designing, developing, and optimizing novel formulations with potential as disease modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs). In this regard, AI tools enabled the establishment of robust protocols to prepare nanoparticles and microspheres of specific desired characteristics. The drug delivery systems developed in this thesis demonstrated its potential as DMOADs by targeting the two main hallmarks of OA: inflammation and cartilage degradation. This approach is achieved by following three independent but closely related strategies; inflammation control, macrophage phenotype modulation and reversing disease progression by modulating chondrocyte senescence. The use of AI tools was pivotal in achieving these advancements, offering innovative methodologies that surpassed traditional approaches in drug delivery systems design.