Musculoskeletal Diseases: From Molecular Basis to Therapy

Musculoskeletal diseases (MSDs) comprise a plethora of different disorders (more than 150 conditions) affecting the locomotor system. Importantly, they are associated with significant morbidity and disability, impacting the quality of life of patients. The most common MSDs are osteoarthritis (OA), low-back pain (LBP), neck pain (NP), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and gout [1]. A recent analysis of the Global Burden of Disease published in 2022 estimated that approximately 1.71 billion people globally are affected by musculoskeletal disorders [2]. Although MSDs are widespread and the number of affected individuals is expected to increase as the population ages, MSD research has received little attention, likely because MSDs are rarely fatal and are assumed to be irreversible pathologies [1,2]. Thus, a better understanding of the etiology, biomarkers, as well as new and more effective therapeutic treatments, are needed. In this context, the purpose of this Special Issue, entitled “Musculoskeletal Diseases: From Molecular Basis to Therapy”, is to report on advances in pathophysiological mechanisms, the identification of biomarkers, and preclinical and clinical therapeutic approaches to MSDs.