Anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) drugs are the newest class of therapies used for treating inflammatory diseases, such as Crohn’s disease, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Our last post discussed the benefits of treating RA with a combination of anti-TNF medication and methotrexate. But there is new research that indicates concern for treating certain individuals [...]
The FDA has received 30 reports of cancer in children under the age of 18 who had been treated for JIA with anti-TNF drugs along with other medications, such as methotrexate, or similar immunosuppressant drugs. [...]
A recent review of treatments for Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) found that the benefit of different therapies depended how widespread the disease was.
Psoriatic arthritis is the second most common cause of joint inflammation. It involves the skin and joints, but may also affect fingers and toes, eyes and the spine. The effect on the [...]
The FDA ordered that the class of drugs known as TNF blockers carry a warning on the packaging that their use carries the risk of developing a potentially deadly fungal disease called histoplasmosis. [...]
Several studies have been conducted into to effectiveness of the newest class of drugs, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha blockers, in treating rheumatoid arthritis. But there have been no published studies comparing TNF-alpha blockers with the older class of drugs, known as disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDS), such as Remicade (infliximab), Enbrel (etanercept), and Humira (adalimumab).
A – Right cartoid artery; B – Normal artery; C – Plaque buildup in artery
Studies have indicated that people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) also have higher risks for developing cardiovascular disease and strokes than the general population. The reasons for this have not been clear. But a recent study does seem to shed [...]
In April of 2007, NICE recommended that if a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patient did not respond to 1 of 3 approved anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) drugs they could not try one of the others. But after months of campaigning by 2,000 members of the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society, drug companies and patients groups, NICE has agreed to reconsider its previous recommendation. [...]