Current Arthritis News and Research » DMARD http://4-arthritis-info.com Regular Updates on the Many Forms of Arthritis Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:30:28 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 New Drug Halts Arthritis Progression http://4-arthritis-info.com/drug-halts-arthritis-progression/ http://4-arthritis-info.com/drug-halts-arthritis-progression/#comments Mon, 17 Jan 2011 22:46:23 +0000 awesome http://4-arthritis-info.com/wp/?p=235 Methotrexate is a drug commonly used for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that belongs to a class of drugs known as disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARD). It is one of a number of treatments available for RA.

That may change. According to a drug trial that was presented at the American College of Rheumatology in San Francisco indicates that methotrexate, when used in combination with tocilizumab, resulted in remission in 47% of the patients. This compares to only 8% for patients on methotrexate alone.

The trial involved nearly 1,200 patients from 15 countries with moderate RA who did not show adequate response to methotrexate. In addition to the significant remission rate, the use of tocilizumab with methotrexate slowed the structural damage of the joints by 85%, compared with 67% for those on methotrexate alone.

According to study leader Professor Paul Emery of Leeds University, “Results of this pivotal study convincingly demonstrate that tocilizumab can effectively and rapidly diminish the painful and debilitating effects of RA.

“These trial findings are significant because it is critical to stop joint damage as quickly as possible to avoid joint deformity and to help people with RA maintain their quality of life.”

Tocilizumab works differently than current standard treatments. It is a lab created antibody which blocks the activity of interleukin-6, which is an immune system signaling protein that acts as both a pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory.

There were some side effects of the combination treatment including respiratory infections, high blood pressure and headache.

Tocilizumab, which is manufactured by Roche and will be sold under the name RoActemra, has not yet been approved for use by US or European regulators.

Originally posted 2008-10-28 14:00:12. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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]]> http://4-arthritis-info.com/drug-halts-arthritis-progression/feed/ 0 How Early Should Psoriatic Arthritis be Treated? http://4-arthritis-info.com/how-early-should-psoriatic-arthritis-treated/ http://4-arthritis-info.com/how-early-should-psoriatic-arthritis-treated/#comments Mon, 17 Jan 2011 22:46:19 +0000 awesome http://4-arthritis-info.com/?p=5169 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 [...] No related posts.]]> 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 skin is seen as red, scaly patches on the skin. Erosion of the joints may occur within the first two years in nearly 50% of PsA patients. Furthermore, an erosion rate of 11% per year has been reported.

The researchers found that mild anti-inflammatories were only helpful if the disease was mild or localized. In cases were the joint involvement is more wide spread the more beneficial therapy is with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), such as methotrexate.

Further, in cases of extra-articular or spinal disease in which DMARDs have not shown significant benefit, biologic therapy (anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor or TNF) may be more effective.

This study suggests that optimal therapy with a combination of biologics and DMARDs may produce remission rates of up to 60%.

Findings of the review were published in the June 1st issue of Current Opinion in Rheumatology.

Originally posted 2010-06-05 19:46:03. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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]]> http://4-arthritis-info.com/how-early-should-psoriatic-arthritis-treated/feed/ 0 Biogen Pulls Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug http://4-arthritis-info.com/biogen-pulls-rheumatoid-arthritis-drug/ http://4-arthritis-info.com/biogen-pulls-rheumatoid-arthritis-drug/#comments Mon, 17 Jan 2011 22:45:01 +0000 awesome http://4-arthritis-info.com/wp/?p=221 Biogen Idec Inc. announced on October 9th that it was discontinuing development of its investigational rheumatoid arthritis (RA) drug baminercept after it failed to meet Phase II study endpoints.

Baminercept was being investigated for use in RA patients who did not respond to treatment with conventional disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARD), such as methotrexate. The primary endpoint was the measurement of patients who achieved a 50% improvement in the number of swollen, tender joints, as well as other clinical measures at week 14.

The secondary endpoints were defined as the proportion of patients with a 20% improvement and a 70% improvement in the number of swollen and tender joints as well as other quality of life measures.

The first Phase II study, known as 104RA202, included 380 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis did not have and adequate response to conventional DMARD therapy. This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial designed to assess the efficacy of 5 different dosages of baminercept in combination with methotrexate over a 12 week period.

The second Phase II study, known as 104RA203, included about 120 patients with active RA that did not have an adequate response to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors. This was also a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial. It was designed to assess the efficacy of a 200 mg dose of baminercept over a 12 week period in combination with methotrexate.

Based on the results of these 2 trials, Biogen has decided to discontinue development of baminercept for treating rheumatoid arthritis. However, the company indicated that baminercept did have potential uses for treating other inflammatory diseases, such as Crohn’s disease and multiple sclerosis. As of now, there are no clinical trials scheduled for these conditions.

Originally posted 2008-10-23 11:36:26. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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]]> http://4-arthritis-info.com/biogen-pulls-rheumatoid-arthritis-drug/feed/ 0 Warning Signs of Infectious (Septic) Arthritis http://4-arthritis-info.com/warning-signs-infectious-psoriatic-arthritis/ http://4-arthritis-info.com/warning-signs-infectious-psoriatic-arthritis/#comments Sun, 06 Jun 2010 02:46:06 +0000 awesome http://4-arthritis-info.com/wp/?p=113 In the last post I described the basics about infectious arthritis. It can be caused by bacteria, fungus or virus. The warning signs to look for differ based on the type of germ that caused the joint infection.

Something to keep in mind is that people with chronic health conditions tend to be more [...] No related posts.]]> In the last post I described the basics about infectious arthritis. It can be caused by bacteria, fungus or virus. The warning signs to look for differ based on the type of germ that caused the joint infection.

Something to keep in mind is that people with chronic health conditions tend to be more susceptible to psoriatic arthritis because their immune systems are weakened. Also, people with an existing form of arthritis are more susceptible as the germs target damaged joints and certain treatments for arthritis, such as disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), suppress the immune system.

If the joint infection is caused by a virus the pain tends to be “all-over” as opposed to being in a particular joint. There is generally no fever associated with viral based infectious arthritis.

Fungal infectious arthritis pain and swelling may be localized or all-over and may develop slowly, over an extended period of time. There may also be a mild fever.

Bacterial infectious arthritis comes on very quickly with fever and chills. The pain and swelling will be very localized, occurring in on area of the body.

Infectious arthritis is a treatable condition. Obtaining prompt treatment should clear up the infection and leave no permanent damage. However, if treatment is delayed, the damage can spread to other joints and become permanent.

If you are experiencing pain or swelling in any joints, whether accompanied by fever or not, it is important that you check with your doctor to get proper treatment.

Originally posted 2008-06-04 19:17:37. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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]]> http://4-arthritis-info.com/warning-signs-infectious-psoriatic-arthritis/feed/ 0 Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment Reduces Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke http://4-arthritis-info.com/rheumatoid-arthritis-treatment-reduces-risk-of-heart-attack-and-stroke/ http://4-arthritis-info.com/rheumatoid-arthritis-treatment-reduces-risk-of-heart-attack-and-stroke/#comments Mon, 20 Jul 2009 04:34:29 +0000 awesome http://4-arthritis-info.com/wp/2008/03/07/rheumatoid-arthritis-treatment-reduces-risk-of-heart-attack-and-stroke/ Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a known risk factor in hardening of the arteries which in turn leads to strokes and heart attacks on average 10 years earlier than people without RA. Previous studies that have shown that treating rheumatoid arthritis with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), such as methotrexate, may reduce the risk of heart [...] No related posts.]]> Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a known risk factor in hardening of the arteries which in turn leads to strokes and heart attacks on average 10 years earlier than people without RA. Previous studies that have shown that treating rheumatoid arthritis with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), such as methotrexate, may reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. A current study now quantifies the reduction in risk experienced by these RA patients.

A team of researchers from Argentina, Europe and the U.S. analyzed data from the Quantitative Patient Questionnaires in Standard Monitoring of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (QUEST-RA). This data represents a multinational, cross-sectional cohort of outpatients with rheumatoid arthritis who were receiving regular clinical care.

The researchers were analyzing the prevalence of cardiovascular disease in RA patients, the association of RA with traditional cardiovascular risk factors, the clinical features of RA and the benefits of the use of DMARDs.

Information on 4,363 participants in the QUEST-RA study was collected from 48 sites in 15 countries. 78% of the patients were female, over 90% were Caucasian, the average age of the research group was 57 years and the average length of the disease was 11 years.

The researchers found that patients taking methotrexate for just 1 year experienced an 18% reduction in the risk of heart attack and an 11% reduction in the risk of stroke. This was after adjusting the risk for age, sex, disease activity, and other traditional risk factors, such as lack of exercise, smoking, diabetes and high cholesterol levels.

“Our study provides further support for the influence of both traditional and RA-specific risk factors in the development of cardiovascular events, especially heart attacks,” the researchers wrote. “As assessed by this study, the risk was lower with the prolonged use of methotrexate, sulfasalazine, glucocorticoids, leflunomide and TNF-alpha blockers.”

The results of the study were published in the March 5 issue of the open access journal Arthritis Research & Therapy.

Originally posted 2008-03-07 23:37:45. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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