Drug hope for arthritis relief

New treatments for arthritis are possible after scientists identified a naturally occurring protein which can "switch off" the inflammation leading to the destruction of bones and cartilage.

Scientists at the William Harvey Research Institute, London say drugs that mimic the action of the protein would reduce the damage to joints. An estimated half a million people suffer from rheumatoid arthritis in Britain; the majority are women over 30. Many sufferers rely on full-time care. Liz Hunt