IRAP™ (Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein)

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What is IRAP™?

Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein (IRAP™) is a novel treatment for dogs that suffer from osteoarthritis. Most patients that are diagnosed with osteoarthritis are treated with oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), chondroprotectants (glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate), or pain medications such as tramadol. While these medications can dramatically help alleviate the pain and clinical disability caused by osteoarthritis, they do little or nothing to stop the ongoing inflammation within the joint. IRAP™ has been proven to work well in people and in horses but has yet to be investigated in dogs.

How does IRAP™ work?

The term “osteoarthritis” refers to the inflammatory chemical reactions that are taking place at the level of the affected joint. There are literally hundreds of reactions taking place at any one time in an arthritic joint. These reactions are caused by certain chemicals like Interleukin 1 within the joint. It has been shown in people and horses that if Interleukin 1 is controlled within an osteoarthritic joint, the environment within the joint changes dramatically. When IRAP™ is injected into the affected joint the Interleukin 1 levels are lowered. This small chemical change can result in a much more comfortable joint for the animal.

How is IRAP™ administered?

The administration process is very simple. If your dog is determined to be a suitable IRAP™ candidate we will need to draw about 50 mL of blood from them. This blood is incubated in a special syringe that will cause the white blood cells within the blood to produce IRAP™. Once the blood has incubated for 24 hours then we separate the blood cells from the serum. This IRAP™ rich serum is given back to the patient in the form of an intra-articular (into the joint) injection while the patient is sedated. There is no anesthesia or surgical procedure involved. Each IRAP™ injection appointment takes about an hour and your pet will not have to stay in the hospital. We are currently recommending that each patient receive a total of three injections into the affected joint(s) with each injection separated by seven to ten days.

At VCA Alameda East we are using this technology in dogs with osteoarthritis. The results have been very promising and we have not seen adverse effects from the medication. We are very excited to be able to offer this treatment to our patients and we are hopeful that IRAP™ continues to be a viable alternative to the common treatments for osteoarthritis in our canine friends.

If you think your dog might be a candidate for the IRAP™ injections, please contact us to set up a consultation.

Read about IRAP™ on The Denver Channel.

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