King's College London leads £3m arthritis pain study

April 16, 2026

Millions of people living with inflammatory arthritis could finally get relief from constant pain, thanks to a major new £3m study being led by King's College London. The research aims to tackle one of the biggest unmet needs for those with the condition.

Tackling the pain that won't go away

Inflammatory arthritis affects more than 1 in 100 people. It happens when the body's own immune system attacks the joints, causing swelling, stiffness, and pain. Current treatments often focus on reducing inflammation, but for many, pain continues even when inflammation is low.

This means people can be told their arthritis is in remission, yet still struggle with daily pain that ruins their quality of life. The new Arthritis UK TOPPIA consortium, led by King's College London, wants to change this.

A new approach to pain management

Researchers at King's College London, alongside experts from across the UK, will combine patient experiences with scientific knowledge. They aim to understand the root causes of pain, which can sometimes be driven by non-immune cells in the joints.

Dr Franziska Denk, Reader in Neuroscience at King's, said: "Together, we will deepen our understanding of the drivers of pain, identify new therapeutic targets, improve treatment strategies, and champion the inclusion of pain as a core priority in both research and clinical care for inflammatory arthritis."

The five-year study will use cutting-edge technology and patient data. It will involve testing new treatment targets, creating a biobank of joint samples, and improving diagnosis and care.

Professor Leonie Taams, Professor of Immune Regulation & Inflammation at King's, added: “This is what the Arthritis UK funding will allow us to do: working together across the UK towards a future free from arthritis pain.”

Tom Esterine, 64, from Brixton, who lives with rheumatoid arthritis, is a patient partner in the study. He shared his experience: "I’ve lived with arthritis pain for 14 years. The pain doesn’t stay the same; it shifts and changes as the condition develops. It comes and goes with new medications and can persist even when healthcare professionals tell me I’m in remission. Well, all I can say is that remission shouldn’t still hurt!"

Author

South London News NHS & Wellbeing Desk

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