Current Arthritis News and Research » tumor necrosis factor 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 FDA Investigates Link Between TNF Blockers and Cancer http://4-arthritis-info.com/fda-investigates-tnf-blockers-cancer/ http://4-arthritis-info.com/fda-investigates-tnf-blockers-cancer/#comments Mon, 17 Jan 2011 22:46:42 +0000 awesome http://4-arthritis-info.com/wp/?p=114 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has begun an investigation into links between anti-TNF (tumor necrosis factor) drugs, used to treat arthritis, and an increased risk of cancer in children. TNF blockers, sold under the names Enbrel, Remicade and Humira, are commonly used for the treatment of arthritis. The review is being conducted by the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

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.

Nearly 50% of the reports state the patients developed Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The other reports indicate development of melanoma, leukemia and solid organ cancers.

Besides rheumatoid arthritis, TNF blockers are used to treat psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, plaque psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis, as well as other diseases. TNF blockers are know to result in inflammation and weakening of the immune system.

The manufacturers of these drugs have been directed by the FDA to provide information about all TNF blocker recipients who have developed cancer, and in some cases to track cancer reports for 10 years. The FDA has also requested the assistance of medical professionals and patients in reporting any side effects from TNF blockers through the MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program at www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm.

Originally posted 2008-06-06 22:25:05. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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]]> http://4-arthritis-info.com/fda-investigates-tnf-blockers-cancer/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 Rheumatoid Arthritis: Anti-TNF vs. DMARDS http://4-arthritis-info.com/rheumatoid-arthritis-anti-tnf-vs-dmards/ http://4-arthritis-info.com/rheumatoid-arthritis-anti-tnf-vs-dmards/#comments Mon, 17 Jan 2011 22:45:17 +0000 awesome http://4-arthritis-info.com/wp/2008/05/02/rheumatoid-arthritis-anti-tnf-vs-dmards/ 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).

[...] No related posts.]]> 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).

Recently a team of Spanish researchers, led by Dr Alberto Alonso-Ruiz has reviewed the findings of 13 clinical trials involving over 7,000 participants to compare anti-TNF to DMARDS. The team analyzed the data to determine the benefits and side effects of different doses of the drugs.

The team determined that all of the trials showed that, with the proper dose, anti-TNF were better for treating rheumatoid arthritis than drugs like methotrexate.

The research also pointed out, however, that those patients using anti-TNF drugs were more likely to complain of adverse side effects. In addition, patients that were using etanercept experienced the lowest withdrawal rates due to adverse events.

“Performing comparisons of new drugs is vital for measuring safety/efficacy relationships and monitoring adverse side-effects” said Dr. Alonzo-Ruiz.

Their research was published in the journal BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders.

Originally posted 2008-05-02 15:36:39. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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]]> http://4-arthritis-info.com/rheumatoid-arthritis-anti-tnf-vs-dmards/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 TNF Response May Hold Key for Rheumatoid Arthritis http://4-arthritis-info.com/tnf-response-may-hold-key-for-rheumatoid-arthritis/ http://4-arthritis-info.com/tnf-response-may-hold-key-for-rheumatoid-arthritis/#comments Mon, 17 Jan 2011 22:44:51 +0000 awesome http://4-arthritis-info.com/wp/2008/03/19/tnf-response-may-hold-key-for-rheumatoid-arthritis/ Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) has been identified as having a key responsibility in many inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There has been substantial research into the early signaling pathways activated by TNF, but there is not much known about the delayed and chronic TNF responses.

In addition, cells called macrophages (cells within the [...] No related posts.]]> Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) has been identified as having a key responsibility in many inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There has been substantial research into the early signaling pathways activated by TNF, but there is not much known about the delayed and chronic TNF responses.

In addition, cells called macrophages (cells within the tissues that originate from specific white blood cells) produce TNF, but the effect of TNF on the macrophages themselves is not understood.

But a study published March 16th in the online journal Nature Immunology, researchers disclose the discovery of a new mechanism involved in the development of inflammatory diseases. This new mechanism may also provide insight into problems in gene therapy experiments that use adenoviruses to deliver genes to humans.

This study utilized human blood and mice to assess macrophages responses for 2 days after being stimulated with TNF. The researchers found that macrophages secreted TNF and then the TNF activated surface receptors on the macrophages themselves which caused the cells into a low, continued production of the protein interferon-beta.

The interferon-beta acted with TNF signals to induce sustained production of genes encoding inflammatory molecules and delayed production of genes encoding interferon-response molecules.

“The striking thing about many of these genes that came to our attention first was that there were these classic interferon response genes which had previously not been associated with TNF,” said Lionel Ivashkiv, M.D., director of Basic Research at Hospital for Special Surgery, who led the study. “It suggests a new mechanism by which TNF can drive and sustain inflammation.”

According to Dr. Ivashkiv’s team, the results of this, and related studies, may lead to development of new treatments for preventing bone destruction that is linked with some diseases. “So, what it does is sets up the next series of studies, in animal models, to try to determine whether this induction of interferon is beneficial or not.”

Originally posted 2008-03-19 18:46:35. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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