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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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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The new guidelines provide recommendations for treating patients with mild to severe cases of these conditions. Psoriasis is a genetic disease with at least eight chromosomes so far that researchers have identified as being connected to the genetic transmission of the disease. There are also several environmental factors that play key roles in the development of psoriasis, among them are drugs, skin trauma, infection and stress.

Based on a thorough examination of current studies on treatments for psoriasis, the Academy’s guidelines summarize the benefits and limitations of topical and systemic treatments that are currently available to treat psoriasis.

The guidelines indicate that topical therapies are appropriate for patients who are good candidates for localized treatment, but should not be used exclusively to treat psoriasis if a combination of systemic and/or phototherapy treatments would provide more benefit. The dermatologist should determine if established systemic treatments – such as methotrexate, cyclosporine and oral retinoids – phototherapy, or the newer biologic agents appropriate for each individual.

Recent introduction of biologic therapies have given dermatologist more options to treat psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Biologic therapies are given by injection or infusion and are systemic medications that identify precise immune responses involved with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Biologics act, to some extent, as a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor to slow the inflammatory response. There are studies which confirm that biologics can effectively alleviate the chronic physical symptoms of moderate to severe psoriasis, as well as help improve the patient’s quality of life.

There are currently five biologic agents that are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of psoriasis. Three of these are approved for psoriatic arthritis. Since these therapies target the immune system, the new guidelines state the importance of efforts to prevent infection, including vaccinations. Once biologic therapy has been started, the patient should avoid vaccinations with live vaccines under all circumstances. In addition, patients should be periodically re-evaluated by their dermatologist for any new symptoms, including infections and potential cancers.

Originally posted 2008-05-23 16:00:54. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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