The present invention relates to the use of at least one inhibitor of at leastone ABC-~transporter capable of transporting hyaluronan across a lipidbilayer, such as verapamil or valspodar, for the preparation of apharmaceutical composition for the treatment of a disease which is associatedwith an excess transport of hyaluronan across a lipid bilayer, e.g. arthritis.Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for screening acompound which is suitable for the treatment of a disease which is associatedwith an excess transport of hyaluronan across a lipid bilayer, e.g. arthritis.The present invention also relates to a method for screening a compound whichreduces the transport of hyaluronan mediated by (an) ABC-transporter(s).Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for identifying asubject at risk for a disease which is associated with an excess transport ofhyaluronan across a lipid bilayer, e.g. arthritis as well as to a method ofscreening for a compound which is suitable for the treatment of a diseasewhich is associated with an excess transport of hyaluronan across a lipidbilayer, e.g. arthritis in a subject. In addition, the present inventionrelates to a method of preventing, ameliorating and/or treating the symptomsof a disease which is associated with an excess transport of hyaluronan acrossa lipid bilayer, e.g. arthritis in a subject.
