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Found 193 result(s) FROM 1963 pages containing the term 'anti-TNF'.
Thursday Nov 12, 2009
Bristol Set to Challenge Roche for RA IL-6 Blockers
Bristol-Myers Squibb has licensed RA indications for Alder's ALD518 anti-IL-6 monoclonal...
Thursday Nov 12, 2009
TNF Inhibitors Do Not Raise Cancer Risk
No increased cancer risk was seen during the first 6 years of anti-TNF therapy for rheumatoid arthritis...
Wednesday Oct 28, 2009
Third RA Patient Has PML After Rituximab
The FDA's MedWatch warning system reports that a third rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patient treated with Genentech's Rituxan (rituximab) has developed PML, this time without prior anti-TNF exposure...
Thursday Oct 22, 2009
For Early RA, Start with Six Months of MTX, then Add Two More DMARDs
ACR researchers report that initial treatment with methotrexate followed by step-up to two more DMARDs if needed at 6 months is as good as adding a TNF inhibitor...
Tuesday Oct 13, 2009
Protalix Reports First Data on Generic Enbrel™
Plant cell fusion protein would be first “biosimilar” version of etanercept...
Tuesday Oct 06, 2009
Simponi Scores EU OK for RA, PsA, AS
Simponi (golimumab) anti-TNF is the first monthly anti-TNF injectable to gain broad EU approval...
Tuesday Aug 11, 2009
Untreated Depression May Dim RA TNF Inhibitor Response
Persistent depression affects RA patients' response to anti-TNF treatment...
Wednesday Aug 05, 2009
Psoriasis: Not Just Skin Deep
Mark G. Lebwohl, MD says psoriasis affects the heart and other vital organs, and treatment with TNF-blockers may reduce the risk of these comorbidities...
Wednesday Jul 29, 2009
TNF Inhibitors Have Different TB Risks
The risk of developing tuberculosis is 7 to 17 fold higher among patients receiving anti-TNF monoclonal antibody therapy than for those receiving soluble TNF receptors. How can you protect your patients?...
Thursday Jul 23, 2009
Gene Therapy Cleared in RA Patient Death
The vector used in an RA gene therapy study did not cause the death of a patient who died during the trial...
Thursday Jul 23, 2009
New Anti-TNF Adverse Effect: Sarcoid-like Granuloma
Sarcoid-like granulomas are a newly identified adverse effect associated with all types of TNF-blockade...
Friday Jun 26, 2009
Gum Disease Prominent in RA, but TNF-Blockade Can Help
Three new studies shed light on the connection between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontitis, and new data help define a role for TNF-blockade in improving periodontal status as well as RA signs and symptoms...
Wednesday Jun 17, 2009
EULAR Report Shows Tocilizumab Protects Joints in RA
Actemra® maintained structure and function in a wide range of RA patients in the LITHE study, with response durations of 2 years in interim analyses...
Tuesday Jun 16, 2009
Golimumab for Psoriatic Arthritis Still Effective at 2 Years
2-Year GO-REVEAL data show durable PsA response to golimumab...
Tuesday Jun 16, 2009
Infliximab Still Going Strong At 7 Years for RA Treatment
Infliximab efficacy and safety are maintained through at least 7 years of use for rheumatoid arthritis treatment...
Thursday May 14, 2009
FDA OKs UCB's Cimzia for Moderate to Severe RA
Cimzia® (certolizumab pegol), the only pegylated anti-TNF, has been approved for use in the US...
Wednesday Apr 29, 2009
Simponi Approved in US for RA, PsA, AS
The US Food and Drug Administration this week joined Canada's drugs agency in approving Simponi (golimumab) for moderate to severe RA, active PsA, and active ankylosing spondylitis...
Tuesday Apr 14, 2009
Golimumab Gets Canadian OK for RA, PsA, AS
Health Canada has approved Centocor's Simponi (golimumab) for treatment of moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA), active psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and active ankylosing spondylitis (AS)...
Tuesday Feb 17, 2009
Some TNF Inhibitors Raise Shingles Risk in RA. Time to Vaccinate?
Anti-TNF monoclonal antibody drugs (adalimumab, infliximab) significantly increase herpes zoster risk in RA patients, and vaccination should be considered. Etanercept was not associated with increased herpes zoster risk...
Tuesday Nov 18, 2008
Centocor's Golimumab Gives Durable Skin, Joint Relief in Psoriatic Arthritis, ACR Studies Say
More than half of active psoriatic arthritis patients receiving subcutaneous injections of 50 mg or 100 mg of golimumab (CNTO 148) every 4 weeks showed improvements that lasted through 1 year in the joint and skin symptoms...
Friday Oct 17, 2008
UCB’s Cimzia® (certolizumab pegol) Reduces Intestinal Lesions and Induces Endoscopic Improvement in Crohn's Patients
A large study investigating endoscopic improvement in Crohn's disease (CD) demonstrated that Cimzia® (certolizumab pegol), the only PEGylated anti-TNFα biologic, significantly improved endoscopic lesions and induced endoscopic response...
Wednesday Oct 01, 2008
Roche Says US FDA Issues Complete Response Letter for Actemra® Biologics License Application; No New Clinical Studies Requested
Actemra® (tocilizumab) is the first humanized interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor-inhibiting monoclonal antibody studied for the treatment of adults with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis...
Monday Sep 15, 2008
ACR REF Clinical and Translational Research Grants Target Better Ways to Monitor Response to Arthritis Care, Genetics, Heart and Bone Health in RA Patients
Six major grants from the ACR Research and Education Foundation show the growing importance of finding better ways to monitor response to (often expensive) RA care, decoding the genetic underpinnings of arthritis, and protecting arthritis patients’ hearts and bones in long-term care...
Monday Aug 18, 2008
Power Doppler Ultrasound Measures Response to TNF-blockers in RA
Power doppler ultrasonographic monitoring may help measure response to TNF-blockers as well as predict X-ray progression in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients…
Friday Aug 01, 2008
Roche Reports US FDA Advisory Committee Recommends Approval of Actemra®; if Approved, Would Be First IL-6 Inhibitor for the Treatment of RA
Hoffmann-La Roche announced that the Arthritis Advisory Committee of the US FDA recommended approval of Actemra® (tocilizumab), a novel interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor-inhibiting humanized monoclonal antibody...
Monday Jul 28, 2008
NHS TNF Inhibitor Restrictions Heighten Impact of Baseline DAS28 in RA
The British National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines for approving access to TNF inhibitors for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may be unnecessarily extending the period when steroids are not allowed and classifying >30% of patients as “nonresponders” who would not be allowed to continue anti-TNF treatment...
Tuesday Jul 08, 2008
Rheumatologists Can Expect to See More HIV-Related Joint Problems as Mortality Drops
Mortality in HIV-infected patients has dropped comparable with general population levels, especially in those who begin highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) early, and one result is that rheumatologists can expect to see more long-term HIV survivors with joint problems related to the underlying HIV, treatment, or aging...
Monday Jul 07, 2008
UCB’s Cimzia® Filed With EMEA for Treatment of RA: if Approved, Would be First and Only PEGylated, Fc-Free Anti-TNFα Biologic
UCB has submitted an MMA for approval of Cimzia® (certolizumab pegol) as a subcutaneous treatment for adults with moderate-to-severe active rheumatoid arthritis...
Thursday Jul 03, 2008
Centocor Requests Approval From FDA of Golimumab for the Treatment of RA, Psoriatic Arthritis, and Ankylosing Spondylitis
Centocor submitted a Biologics License Application to the US FDA requesting the approval of golimumab, a human anti-TNFα monoclonal antibody, as a monthly subcutaneous treatment for adults with active forms of RA, PsA, and AS...
Thursday Jun 26, 2008
Otsuka, UCB to Codevelop and Copromote Cimzia® in Japan for Crohn's Disease
UCB and Otsuka Pharmaceuticals have agreed to copromote UCB's anti-TNFα drug Cimzia® for the treatment of Crohn's Disease in Japan, the second largest pharmaceutical market in the world...
Thursday Jun 26, 2008
New ACR Guidelines Help Clinicians Incorporate Biologics Into RA Treatment Plans
The new American College of Rheumatology guidelines help rheumatologists to choose the right drugs and to monitor RA patients for untoward effects, but the guidelines should not replace sound clinical judgment…
Friday Jun 20, 2008
Longitudinal MRI Study Confirms that Rituximab Stops Progression in RA, Suggests Some Regression
Imaging studies done 1 year after rituximab (RTX) treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) confirm that progression of joint damage was stopped, and suggest that there may even have been some regression of established damage...
Wednesday Jun 18, 2008
Anti-TNF Gene Therapy Appears Safe, May Reduce Pain, Swelling in RA Joints
Researchers report that transferring a TNF-antagonist gene into the joint is safe, may reduce pain and swelling in patients with inflammatory arthritis...
Tuesday Jun 17, 2008
Tocilizumab Plus Methotrexate Shows Efficacy for Anti-TNF Refractory Rheumatoid Arthritis
Tocilizumab plus methotrexate (MTX) looks to be an effective alternative for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with inadequate response to TNF inhibitors...
Monday Jun 16, 2008
Phase III Data Show Golimumab Efficacy in MTX-Resistant, TNF-Pretreated, Untreated RA
Data from the phase III GO-FORWARD and GO-BEFORE studies show that subcutaneous golimumab improves symptoms, function in RA patients after MTX, anti-TNF failure...
Friday Jun 13, 2008
Clinical, X-ray, and Functional Remission Possible in Early RA With MTX-ETN Combo
Etanercept (ETN) in combination with methotrexate (MTX) was superior to MTX alone in allowing RA patients to achieve clinical remission, radiographic nonprogression, and normalized function...
Tuesday Jun 10, 2008
B-Cell Subset May Identify RA Patients at Risk for Relapse After Rituximab
A memory B-cell subset that could be readily monitored from peripheral blood samples might help identify RA patients who need early re-treatment with rituximab to prevent RA relapse...
Monday Jun 02, 2008
Targeted Genetics Reports Positive Interim Findings From Inflammatory Arthritis Phase I/II Trial of tgAAC94; Demonstrates Safety and Preliminary Efficacy, Supports Further Clinical Development
Targeted Genetics Corp's study is designed to assess the safety and potential effect of multiple doses of tgAAC94 administered directly to affected joints of inflammatory arthritis subjects with or without concurrent use of systemic TNF antagonist therapies...
Friday May 30, 2008
Rituximab May Be First Choice Biologic for Some RA Patients
Rituximab may be a reasonable first-line biologic choice for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who are not candidates for tumor necrosis factor α (TNF) blockers…
Monday May 12, 2008
Rituximab OK Following Anti-TNF-Associated TB
Rituximab is both safe and effective in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who have had active TB while being treated with a TNF-α inhibitor...
Thursday May 08, 2008
Trubion Initiates Phase IIb Study of TRU-015, a CD20-directed Drug Candidate, Plus MTX for the Treatment of RA
Trubion's partner Wyeth Pharmaceuticals has commenced patient dosing in a multicenter, phase IIb clinical trial of TRU-015; previously reported data demonstrated TRU-015's ability to significantly improve RA signs and symptoms...
Wednesday Apr 30, 2008
UCB Launches CIMplicity™ Program to Provide Comprehensive Treatment Support to Crohn’s Disease Patients Receiving Cimzia® (certolizumab pegol)
UCB's new CIMplicity™ program provides Cimzia® patients and their caregivers with comprehensive financial, administrative, compliance, and treatment support...
Tuesday Apr 15, 2008
Granuloma Annulare Induced by Antitumor Necrosis Factor Therapy
Researchers found evidence of a link between TNF inhibition and the development of granuloma annulare skin lesions in some patients…
Tuesday Apr 01, 2008
Targeted Genetics Announces Completion of Dosing for Phase I/II Clinical Trial of tgAAC94 for Inflammatory Arthritis
Dosing has been completed for Targeted Genetic's phase I/II clinical trial of tgAAC94 administered directly to affected joints of subjects with inflammatory arthritis to reduce inflammation and to avoid the potential for systemic side effects...
Monday Mar 31, 2008
CRP, Anti-CCP, Ultrasound Can Predict Which RA Patients Need Early, Aggressive Treatment to Stave Off Rapid Progression
RA patients with rapidly progressing disease will benefit most from aggressive early treatment with biologics and can be identified using markers such as CRP, anti-CCP, and ultrasound evidence of joint erosion...
Tuesday Mar 25, 2008
Yeast Antibodies Predict More Severe AS
Patients with seronegative spondyloarthropathies, especially AS, who have high levels of antibodies to Saccharomyces cerevisiae are likely to have more severe disease and to need more anti-TNF therapy...
Tuesday Mar 25, 2008
UCB Reports That CHMP Upholds Negative Opinion on Cimzia® (certolizumab pegol) for Crohn’s Disease
The European Medicines Agency Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has rejected UCB's appeal to have Cimzia® (certolizumab pegol) approved for the treatment of Crohn’s disease patients...
Wednesday Mar 19, 2008
Centocor, Schering-Plough Submit Marketing Authorization Application Requesting EU Approval of Golimumab to Treat RA, PsA, AS
Centocor, Inc and Schering-Plough Corp are seeking EU approval of golimumab, which targets and neutralizes both the soluble and membrane-bound forms of TNFα, to treat RA, PsA, and AS...
Thursday Feb 28, 2008
Antitumor Necrosis Factor-α Therapy and Potential Cancer Inhibition
Anti-TNFα therapy may reduce the risk of neoplasia in patients being treated for chronic inflammation...
Monday Feb 11, 2008
UCB Reports US FDA to Review Cimzia® License Application for Treatment of RA
UCB announced that the US FDA agreed to accept a Biologics License Application for Cimzia® (certolizumab pegol), a PEGylated and Fc-free anti-TNFα antibody-fragment therapeutic, for the treatment of adult patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA)...
Friday Feb 08, 2008
Phase III Data Look Good for Ustekinumab (CNTO 1275) in Plaque Psoraisis
Ustekinumab (CNTO 1275), a new monoclonal antibody that blocks interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23, may hold advantages over existing systemic therapies for chronic plaque psoriasis in terms of its convenience and potentially its safety...
Tuesday Jan 29, 2008
Newer Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs Lower Production of B Cells
New findings suggest that drugs such as Enbrel®, Humira®, and Remicade® reduce activity of abnormal B-cells, benefiting the patient's immune system...
Thursday Jan 24, 2008
TNFα Inhibitors Can Be Used Again After Treatment of TB Flare
TNFα inhibitors can be safely readministered after either a flare of latent TB or a new TB infection and should be considered an option in patients with otherwise uncontrollable RA...
Wednesday Jan 16, 2008
Incyte Reports INCB18424, a Selective JAK2 Inhibitor, Shows Initial Positive Clinical Activity With Rapid Onset of Action in RA and Psoriasis
Incyte Corp announced positive clinical proof-of-concept results with its wholly-owned, internally developed, lead JAK2 (Janus-associated kinase 2) inhibitor, INCB18424, in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriasis...
Tuesday Jan 15, 2008
Three More Cases of Significant Neutropenia Lead to Recommendation for Routine CBC Monitoring
Three more cases of significant neutropenia in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis patients treated with etanercept lead to a recommendation for regular monitoring of complete blood counts (CBC)...
Wednesday Jan 02, 2008
Experts Question Use of TNF Blockers for Sciatica Caused by Disc Herniation
The jury is still out on whether TNF-blockers have a role in treating sciatica induced by disc herniation...
Thursday Dec 13, 2007
MRI Bone Edema Shows Differences, Similarities in RA and OA
MRI bone edema predicts radiographic progression in RA and correlates with pain in OA...
Friday Nov 30, 2007
Drug Update: Abatacept
Researchers continue to argue for the cost-effectiveness of abatacept in treatment-resistant rheumatoid arthritis, but a real-world analysis raises questions about responses in routine clinical use. Safety data show no increased risk of malignancies or infection...
Monday Nov 26, 2007
Abatacept Wins Plaudits in Refractory JIA
The costimulation blocker abatacept may be a safe and effective option for juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients who have exhausted all other therapies...
Wednesday Nov 21, 2007
Combining MTX or Other DMARD With Biologic Seen as Best Strategy for MTX-Resistant Rheumatoid Arthritis
A systematic review of head-to-head trials and prospective cohort studies found little difference among either conventional DMARDs or anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) drugs used as monotherapy, but suggests that adding a conventional DMARD to a biologic may be the best strategy for MTX-resistant RA...
Monday Nov 19, 2007
UCB Reports that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use has Denied Market Authorization in the EU for Cimzia® to Treat Crohn's Disease; UCB to Appeal
UCB Pharma SA announced that it has been informed by the European Medicines Agency that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use has rejected a marketing authorization in the EU for Cimzia® (certolizumab pegol) for reducing signs and symptoms and maintaining clinical response in patients with severe, active Crohn's disease...
Friday Nov 16, 2007
Certolizumab Induces Faster Responses in RA
Thirty percent of RA patients treated with certolizumab plus MTX reached ACR20 within the first week of treatment; 50% reached ACR20 within 2 weeks...
Tuesday Nov 13, 2007
Anti-IL-12/23 Monoclonal Produces Dramatic Results in Psoriatic Arthritis
The anti-IL-12/23 monoclonal antibody ustekinumab produced dramatic, durable improvements in psoriatic arthritis, according to phase II data reported at the American College of Rheumatology...
Thursday Nov 08, 2007
Centocor, Schering-Plough's Anti-TNF Golimumab Significantly Improved Articular, Skin, and Nail Manifestations in Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis in Phase III Study; Met Primary and Major Secondary Endpoints
Centocor, Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, announced that patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) receiving monthly subcutaneous injections of golimumab experienced significant and sustained improvements in the joint and skin manifestations of the disease, according to findings from the largest phase III biologic study (GO-REVEAL trial) in PsA subjects...
Thursday Nov 08, 2007
Centocor, Schering-Plough's Anti-TNF Golimumab Significantly Reduced Signs and Symptoms of AS in Phase III Study; Monthly Treatment Yielded Marked Improvements in Physical Function
Centocor, Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, announced that more than half of patients receiving monthly subcutaneous injections of golimumab 50 mg and 100 mg experienced significant and sustained improvements in the signs and symptoms of active ankylosing spondylitis (AS), according to the phase III study (GO-RAISE trial) results...
Tuesday Nov 06, 2007
Flu Shots Work for Patients on TNF-Inhibitors
TNF inhibitors reduce response to influenza vaccination, but about 80% of RA patients still develop protective titers after a single vaccine dose...
Tuesday Oct 09, 2007
TNF Inhibitors Not Better Than DMARDs for Cardiac Protection in RA
TNF inhibitors are not better than traditional DMARDs at preventing MI in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, but lower heart attack rates in those who respond to TNF-blockers support the hypothesis that inflammation plays a role in the increased MI risk associated with RA...
Friday Oct 05, 2007
Future Looks Bright for Sjögren's Syndrome Patients
B- and T-cell targeted therapies as well as other biologic drugs may change the way primary Sjögren's syndrome is treated in the future...
Monday Sep 24, 2007
Risk of Infection in TNF-Inhibitor Treatment May Be Higher Than Thought
A new analysis of data from the British Society for Rheumatology Biologics Register suggests that the risk of serious infection is increased during certain phases of TNF-inhibitor treatment...
Friday Sep 21, 2007
TNF Blockade Slows But Does Not Stop X-Ray Progression in AS
Four-year follow-up data show that infliximab slows but does not inhibit radiographic progression in AS…
Friday Aug 31, 2007
TNF Inhibitors Raise Risk for Skin Cancers But Not Other Malignancies
The final report from a large observational study of more than 13,000 patients clears TNF inhibitors of increasing the incidence of solid tumors or lymphomas but finds that TNF-inhibitor treatment is associated with a significant increase in melanomas and other skin cancers…Wolfe F, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2007;56:2886-2895.
Thursday Aug 23, 2007
Roche Announces NICE Approves MabThera® (rituximab) for Patients With Severe RA
Roche Products Ltd announced that the independent organization NICE has issued final guidance to the NHS approving the use of MabTheraR (rituximab), in combination with methotrexate, for the treatment of severe active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults...
Monday Aug 13, 2007
Can B-Cell Depletion With Rituximab Trigger Psoriasis?
New case studies linking rituximab therapy for RA and SLE with new-onset psoriasis may call for caution on the ever-expanding use of the B-cell depleting drug...Dass S, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2007;56:2715-2718.
Thursday Aug 02, 2007
FDA Stops Arthritis Gene Therapy Trial After Patient Dies
CIAOMed takes an in-depth look into what went wrong in the inflammatory arthritis gene therapy trial that resulted in a patient's death and what this incident may mean for the future of gene trials, particularly in arthritis...
Thursday Aug 02, 2007
TNF Inhibitors May Restore Adrenal Function in RA
TNF inhibitors appear to improve adrenal function in some RA patients, resulting in restoration of stable hormonal homeostasis...
Thursday Jul 12, 2007
Roche's Actemraâ„¢ (tocilizumab) Third Phase III Study Achieves Primary Endpoint in RA Patients Who Failed to Respond to Anti-TNFs; Confirms Findings From Previous Multinational Trials
Hoffmann-La Roche Inc announced that the Actemraâ„¢ RADIATE (RheumAtoiD ArthritIs Study in Anti-TNF FailurEs) trial successfully met its primary endpoint in patients with moderate-to-severe active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who failed to respond to at least one anti-TNF therapy...
Monday Jun 18, 2007
Immediate Switch From TNF-Inhibitors To Abatacept Safe in RA Patients
A washout is not needed when switching from a TNF-inhibitor to abatacept...
Saturday Jun 16, 2007
Certolizumab, First PEGylated TNF-Blocker, May Surpass Older Drugs in Efficacy, Safety
When used with methotrexate, certolizumab pegol (Cimzia) may move rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients into remission more quickly than currently available TNF-blockers...
Friday Jun 15, 2007
Has the Increasing Use of Anti-TNF Drugs Led to a Rise in Cases of Drug-Induced Lupus? Study Says Yes
The increasing use of TNFα inhibitors to treat rheumatic, digestive, and cutaneous diseases has led to a corresponding rise in the number of cases of drug-induced lupus...
Monday Jun 11, 2007
Centocor's Remicade® (Infliximab) Receives EU Approval as First and Only Biologic for the Treatment of Pediatric Patients With Severe, Active Crohn's Disease
Centocor, Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson and Schering-Plough Corp, announced that the European Commission has approved a new indication for Remicade (infliximab) allowing for the treatment of severe, active Crohn's disease (CD) in pediatric patients ages 6 to 17 years, who have not responded to conventional therapy including a corticosteroid, an immunomodulator, and primary nutrition therapy, or who are intolerant to, or have contraindications for such therapies...
Monday Jun 11, 2007
Abbott's HUMIRA® (Adalimumab) Approved in the European Union for the Treatment of Crohn's Disease
Abbott Laboratories announced that it has received marketing authorization from the European Commission for the use of Humira® (adalimumab) as a treatment for severe Crohn's disease (CD)...
Tuesday Jun 05, 2007
Peptech's Anti-TNF Domain Antibody (PN0621) Enters Phase I Clinical Trial
Peptech Limited, is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing and providing antibody- and peptide-based human therapeutic products for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and cancer...
Monday Jun 04, 2007
Switching to Rituximab May Be Best Call If TNF-Blockers Fail in RA
Switching RA patients to rituximab after inadequate response to TNF inhibitors may be better than trying yet another anti-TNF agent...
Friday May 25, 2007
Accumulating Evidence Supports Adalimumab for Severe Psoriatic Arthritis
Adalimumab (Humira®) is safe and effective for patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) who showed an inadequate response to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)...
Monday May 21, 2007
Millennium Resumes Clinical Program for MLN0002 in Ulcerative Colitis
Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc, a biopharmaceutical company focusing on the therapeutic areas of inflammation and oncology, announced the initiation of human subject dosing in an ulcerative colitis (UC) clinical program designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of MLN0002 (a humanized monoclonal antibody that selectively binds to alpha4beta7, a T-cell integrin)...
Wednesday May 09, 2007
Abbott's ABT-874 Shows Positive Results in Phase II Psoriasis Study
Abbott Laboratories announced positive results from a 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II study in which its investigational treatment, ABT-874, a fully human monoclonal antibody designed to target and neutralize interleukin-12 and interleukin-23, significantly reduced psoriasis symptoms in the majority of patients treated...
Thursday Apr 26, 2007
Local Gene Therapy for RA Intra-articular Anti-TNF Gene Transduction Reduces Joint Inflammation in RA Animal Model
An anti-TNF gene therapy vector carried by an adeno-associated retrovirus vector and injected into inflamed joints successfully reduced joint inflammation and levels of inflammatory markers in an animal model of RA...
Wednesday Apr 18, 2007
Death Forces Early Termination of Study of Infliximab in Systemic Vasculitis
Adverse events, including one death among nine patients treated, forced early termination of infliximab trial in systemic vasculitis...
Monday Apr 16, 2007
Abbott Seeks US and EU Regulatory Approval for HUMIRA® (Adalimumab) in Psoriasis; Receives US FDA Approval in Crohn's Disease
Abbott Laboratories announced that it has simultaneously submitted a supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) with the US FDA and a Type II Variation to the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) seeking approval to market HUMIRA® (adalimumab) as a treatment for moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis, the fifth autoimmune disease targeted for HUMIRA therapy in both the US and Europe...
Monday Apr 09, 2007
Study on Link Between RA and Diabetes Leaves Many Questions Unanswered
Some research has suggested an inflammation-mediated link between RA and diabetes, but a new study may debunk this theory...
Thursday Apr 05, 2007
More Evidence Points Toward Safety of Anti-TNF Drugs During Pregnancy
Three recent case reports add to an accumulating body of evidence that the TNF-blockers are safe during pregnancy, but one new report is far from the final word on the issue...
Thursday Mar 22, 2007
New Studies Urge Closer Monitoring for JIA-Related Uveitis, TNF-Inhibitors Effective For Difficult Cases
New studies report that uveitis occurs in up to 20% of JIA patients, that TNF-inhibitors may be effective in hard-to-treat cases, and that close monitoring for uveitis should continue even during arthritis remissions...
Friday Mar 09, 2007
TNF-Inhibitors Cut Cancer, Cardiac, Overall Mortality in RA Patients
A comparison of two nationwide databases shows that RA patients treated with TNF-inhibitors have lower mortality from all causes than RA patients not taking these drugs...
Wednesday Feb 28, 2007
Abbott's HumiraR (Adalimumab) Receives FDA Approval for Self-Administered Treatment of Moderate-to-Severe Crohn's Disease; Represents 4th FDA Approval in Immune-Mediated Diseases for Humira
Abbott announced it has received US FDA approval to market Humira® (adalimumab, a fully human anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibody) as a treatment for reducing the signs and symptoms and inducing and maintaining clinical remission of moderately-to-severely active Crohn's disease (CD) in adults who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy...
Tuesday Feb 27, 2007
UCB Reports Significant Reduction in Joint Damage From Phase III Results With Cimzia in Rheumatoid Arthritis; Fc Region Present in Conventional Anti-TNFs Is Not Required for Activity
UCB, a global biopharmaceutical company, announced results of an international, multicenter, placebo-controlled phase III study (RAPID 1) involving nearly 1000 patients that evaluated the investigational agent Cimziaâ„¢ (certolizumab pegol)...
Thursday Feb 08, 2007
Steroids Add 60% to DMARD Efficacy in RA
Cochrane Collaboration reviewers say that steroids should be added to the list of drugs that can change the course of rheumatoid arthritis if used early enough...
Monday Feb 05, 2007
Ception Therapeutics Raises $63 Million in Series C Financing for Mid-to-Late Stage Anti-Inflammatory Trials
Ception Therapeutics, Inc, an emerging biopharmaceutical company having corporate offices in MALVERN, Pennsylvania, and a research center in ROCKVILLE, Maryland, announced that it has raised $63 million through a Series C private placement of preferred stock.
Thursday Jan 25, 2007
Anti-Infliximab Antibodies Linked to Nonresponse in AS
New research outlines some drawbacks and limitations in the use of TNF-inhibitors among patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and other forms of spondylarthritis...
Thursday Jan 25, 2007
TNF Inhibitors May Protect Against Several Types of RA Cardiovascular Risk
RA patients treated with TNF inhibitors might also gain some protection against CV morbidity and mortality...
Thursday Jan 18, 2007
New Treatments Rocked Rheumatology in 2006
New treatment options have advanced rheumatology care in 2006, but lupus remains an unsolved problem, and CIAOMed Editorial Board members expect economic issues to greatly impact rheumatology practice in 2007...
Wednesday Jan 10, 2007
Osiris Receives US FDA Fast Track Status for Prochymalâ„¢ Stem Cell Therapy and Clearance to Start Phase III Clinical Trial in Treatment-Resistant Crohn's Disease
Osiris Therapeutics, a leader in adult stem cell therapy, announced that Prochymalâ„¢, a preparation of mesenchymal stem cells obtained from the bone marrow of healthy adult donors and specially formulated for intravenous infusion, has received fast-track designation from the US FDA, expediting the development of the stem cell treatment for Crohn's disease that does not respond to standard therapies.
Tuesday Jan 09, 2007
Small Study Highlights Role for Etanercept in Rheumatological Manifestations of HCV
Etanercept seems to be safe and effective for the treatment of rheumatological manifestations associated with hepatitis virus C, but more studies are needed before firm conclusions can be drawn...
Wednesday Dec 20, 2006
GlaxoSmithKline and Genmab Enter Exclusive Global Agreement for HuMax-CD20, a B-cell Depletion Agent; Deal Potentially Worth US$2.1 Billion
GlaxoSmithKline plc and Genmab A/S announced a worldwide agreement to codevelop and commercialize HuMax-CD20â„¢ (ofatumumab), a fully human monoclonal IgG1antibody targeting the CD20 antigen on the surface of B cells and currently in phase II clinical trial development for active rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and in late-stage development for CD20 positive B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) and follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).
Monday Dec 11, 2006
GlaxoSmithKline to Acquire Domantis for US$454 Million
GlaxoSmithKline (LONDON, United Kingdom) announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Domantis Ltd (an early-stage, antibody-based therapeutics company) for US$454 million in cash.
Friday Dec 01, 2006
Registry Study Says RA Biologics Raise Odds of Melanomas and Skin Cancers, Not Other Malignancies
The latest attempt to sort out the relationship between TNF inhibitors and cancer risk in RA patients found no increase in overall cancer risk, but substantial increases in melanoma and nonmelanomatous skin cancer rates in patients treated with these agents...Wolfe F, et al. Presented at: ACR 2006 Meeting.
Wednesday Nov 29, 2006
KaloBios Initiates Phase I Clinical Trial of Anti-GM-CSF Antibody for Rheumatoid Arthritis
KaloBios Pharmaceuticals, Inc, a privately-held clinical development company focused on the development of therapeutic antibodies, announced that it has begun treating patients in a phase I clinical trial of its investigational rheumatoid arthritis (RA) therapeutic, KB002, an engineered chimeric human monoclonal antibody targeting the cytokine growth factor, granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF).
Wednesday Nov 29, 2006
Source MDx Awarded SBIR Phase I Grant; Will Collaborate with Tufts-New England Medical Center to Develop Biomarkers to Predict Responders and Nonresponders to Anti-TNF Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Source MDx, a molecular diagnostics company, and Tufts-New England Medical Center (NEMC) announced a collaboration to investigate the clinical use of RNA-based molecular diagnostic tests to monitor rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease status and response to therapy.
Monday Nov 27, 2006
Synovial Cells Predict Response to TNF Inhibitors
The secret to why some RA patients respond to anti-TNF-α drugs and others do not may lie in the synovium…Tak P, et al. Presented at ACR 2006 Meeting.
Thursday Nov 16, 2006
Anti-TNF-α Golimumab (CNTO 148), Under Development by Centocor and Schering-Plough, Provides Sustained Improvement in Moderately-to-Severely Active Rheumatoid Arthritis in Phase II Study
Centocor, Inc (HORSHAM, Pennsylvania), a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, announced that 1-year data, presented at the 70th Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology in Washington, DC, showed that nearly 75% of patients with moderately-to-severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receiving golimumab (CNTO 148) and methotrexate experienced at least 20% improvement in arthritis symptoms (ACR 20) at week 52.
Tuesday Nov 14, 2006
Successful Anti-TNF Treatment Restores Regulatory T-Cell Function in RA
TNF inhibitor treatment can restore some of the lost T regulatory (suppressor) cell functioning in patients with RA, which might contribute to suppression of disease flares... Valencia X, et al. Presented at: ACR 2006 Meeting.
Monday Oct 23, 2006
Etanercept/MTX Uncouple Inflammation and Joint Destruction in RA
RA patients treated with etanercept plus methotrexate have less radiographic progression of joint damage than patients who take either drug alone, even if they continue to have inflammation or other makers of active disease....
Thursday Oct 19, 2006
Access to TNF-Blockers Severely Limited in UK
Access to TNF-inhibitor treatment is limited even for British RA patients who meet official guidelines for treatment, and is even more limited for patients with psoriatic arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis ... Kay, LJ, et al. Rheumatology. 2006 Oct 11; [Epub ahead of print].
Tuesday Oct 10, 2006
Trubion Initiates Phase IIb Clinical Trial of CD20-Targeted TRU-015 for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Trubion Pharmaceuticals, Inc, a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing treatments for autoimmune diseases and cancer, announced it has initiated a phase IIb clinical trial of TRU-015, the company's lead Small Modular ImmunoPharmaceutical (SMIPâ„¢) CD20-targeted drug candidate for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) via B-cell depletion...
Monday Oct 02, 2006
Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis Seen in Leflunomide-Treated RA Patient
A case of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis associated with leflunomide treatment for rheumatoid arthritis has been reported... Wardwell NR, et al. Respirology. 2006;11:663-665.
Thursday Sep 28, 2006
RA Skin Problems Related or Due to Disease or Treatment?
Skin problems are more common in RA patients than in those with non-inflammatory diseases, but only steroid-related bruising and athlete's foot appear to be related to either RA itself or its treatment.
Thursday Sep 28, 2006
Centocor's Remicade Approved by US FDA for Treatment of Chronic Severe Plaque Psoriasis
Centocor, Inc. (HORSHAM, Pa.), a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, announced that the US FDA has approved RemicadeR (infliximab) for the treatment of adult patients with chronic severe (ie, extensive and/or disabling) plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy and for whom other systemic therapies are medically less appropriate.
Monday Aug 28, 2006
Etanercept Maintains Clinical Benefit for Patients Who Must Drop Infliximab
Patients who respond to infliximab but must discontinue due to side effects maintain clinical benefit if switched to etanercept...
Wednesday Aug 23, 2006
Niche Use Seen for SSZ in Inflammatory Back Pain
SSZ may be useful in patients with inflammatory back pain who do not have peripheral arthritis... Braun J, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2006;65:1147-1153
Tuesday Aug 15, 2006
Centocor's REMICADE Receives Expanded Psoriatic Arthritis Indication
Centocor, Inc. announced that the US FDA has expanded marketing approval for Remicade® (infliximab) to inhibiting the progression of structural damage and improving physical function in patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA), in addition to reducing the signs and symptoms of active arthritis.
Thursday Aug 03, 2006
British Registry Data Show Safety of First-Trimester TNF Inhibitor Exposure, Safety of Later Use Still Unclear
Data from a British registry of TNF inhibitor users suggest that brief exposure to TNF inhibitors during the first trimester of pregnancy is not harmful either to women who inadvertently become pregnant while taking these drugs or to their babies, but raise questions about safety in later pregnancy... Hyrich KL, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2006;54:2701-2702.
Friday Jul 21, 2006
UCB's CIMZIATM Achieves PASI 75 at Week 12 of 83% in Phase II for Psoriasis
UCB announced positive results from the first phase II clinical trial of CIMZIATM (certolizumab pegol, CDP870), the first and only PEGylated Fab' fragment of a humanized anti-TNF-α antibody, in the treatment of patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis.
Wednesday Jul 19, 2006
Metabolic Syndrome Correlates With High Disease Activity in RA
Metabolic syndrome correlates with higher disease severity in RA. Karvounaris SA, et al. Ann Rheum Dis; published online June 22, 2006.
Friday Jul 07, 2006
Infliximab Resistance, Infusion Reactions Linked to Immune Complex Formation
RA patients who do not respond to infliximab are likely to have infliximab/anti-infliximab immune complexes due to high levels of human antichimeric antibodies, and very large immune complexes may play a role in infliximab infusion reactions....van der Laken CJ, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2006; epub ahead of print.
Tuesday Jun 27, 2006
Keep Prescribing MTX, Using X-rays for RA, EULAR Told
Pre-symptomatic diagnosis and better drugs should make RA remission for all a possibility within 10 years...Smolen, J. Presented at: EULAR 2006, 21-24 June 2006, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Monday Jun 05, 2006
PsA Enthesopathy As Cause of Plantar Fasciitis Responds to TNF Inhibitors
The TNF inhibitors infliximab and etanercept are both effective for the treatment of enthesopathy associated with psoriatic arthritis... Ritchlin CT. J Rheumatol. 15 May 2006; [Epub ahead of print]
Wednesday May 31, 2006
British Clinicians Challenge Restrictive TNF Inhibitor Guidelines
British guidelines for the use of TNF inhibitors are unduly restrictive and should be revised, practitioners charge... Deighton CM, et al. Rheumatology. 2006;45:649-652.
Wednesday May 24, 2006
Centocor's RemicadeR Approved by US FDA for Pediatric Crohn's Disease
Centocor Inc announced US FDA approval of Remicade® (infliximab) for reducing signs and symptoms and inducing and maintaining clinical remission in pediatric patients with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease...
Tuesday May 16, 2006
TNF Inhibitors Raise Cancer, Infection Risk, but Are Still Best Bet for Many RA Patients
A new meta-analysis shows that RA patients treated with infliximab or adalimumab (in addition to methotrexate) had 3.3 times the risk of developing cancer and 2.2 times the risk of developing a serious infection compared to their counterparts taking placebo plus methotrexate, and patients should be advised to get vaccinations, be alert for symptoms of infection, and have regular cancer screenings... Bongartz T, et al. JAMA. 2006;295:2275-2285.
Monday May 15, 2006
Infliximab Cools Spinal Inflammation in AS
Six months of infliximab significantly reduced MRI-proven sites of spinal inflammation in patients with ankylosing spondylitis... Braun J, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2006;54:1646-1652.
Wednesday Apr 26, 2006
Direvo Biotech Appears Poised to Advance Its Lead Preclinical Candidate, a Protease Specific for TNF-Alpha
Direvo Biotech Appears Poised to Advance Its Lead Preclinical Candidate, a Protease Specific for TNF-Alpha
Wednesday Apr 26, 2006
Infliximab Suspected of Worsening Rare MTX Lung Problem
Interstitial pneumonitis occurs in less than 1% of patients treated with methotrexate (MTX), but a recent case report suggests that adding infliximab might increase lung toxicity risk in certain vulnerable patients... Villeneuve E, et al. J Rheumatol. 2006 Apr 15; [Epub ahead of print]
Monday Apr 17, 2006
Subcutaneous Infliximab Shows Promise in Treating RA
An experimental subcutaneous and intramuscular formulation of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitor infliximab is well tolerated and associated with a favorable American College of Rheumatology (ACR) response…Westhovens R, et al. J Rheumatol. 2006;33:5. First release April 1, 2006.
Monday Mar 27, 2006
RemicadeR Approved in Australia for the Treatment of Early RA and Psoriatic Arthritis
Schering-Plough Corporation, of Kenilworth, New Jersey, announced that the Therapeutic Goods Administration of the Department of Health and Ageing in Australia has revised the indication of Remicade® (infliximab)...
Monday Mar 20, 2006
Centocor's Remicade® First Biologic to Receive EU Marketing Authorization for Ulcerative Colitis
Centocor, Inc, of Horsham, Pennsylvania, and Schering-Plough Corporation, of Kenilworth, New Jersey, have announced that the European Commission has granted marketing authorization for Remicade®...
Tuesday Mar 07, 2006
High, Prolonged Inflammatory Activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis Increases Lymphoma Risk
The severity of disease, not its treatments, is a risk factor for the development of malignant lymphomas in rheumatoid arthritis patients... Baecklund E, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2006;54:692-701.
Friday Mar 03, 2006
Rituximab Approved for Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Refractory to TNF-Antagonists
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the anti-CD20+ B-cell-targeted monoclonal antibody rituximab (Rituxan®) in combination with methotrexate for adult patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis who experienced an adequate response to one or more tumor necrosis factor antagonists...
Tuesday Feb 21, 2006
TNF Inhibitors May Benefit Refractory Dermatomyositis and Polymyositis
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors may be useful for the treatment of some cases of refractory dermatomyositis and polymyositis... Efthimiou P, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. [serial online]. February 13, 2006; doi.10.1136/ard.2005.048744.
Thursday Feb 16, 2006
Infliximab Effective Treatment for Refractory Childhood Uveitis
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibition is effective for treatment of childhood uveitis refractory to standard immunosuppressive therapy... Saurenmann RK, et al. Rheumatology Advance Access. February 3, 2006.doi:10.1093/rheumatology/ke1030.
Tuesday Feb 14, 2006
Disease Activity and Severity Seen as Determinants in Starting Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Blockers in Ankylosing Spondylitis Prior to Publication of ASAS Recommendations
Both disease activity and severity were determinants in starting tumor necrosis factor-alpha blockers in ankylosing spondylitis patients prior to the publication of the 2003 Assessment in AS (ASAS) international working group recommendations... Pham T, et al. Ann Rheum Dis [serial online]. February 7, 2006; doi:10.1136/ard.2005.042630
Thursday Feb 09, 2006
Low-Dose Prednisone Increases Risk of Pneumonia in RA Patients
New research showing a dose-related relationship between prednisone use and pneumonia risk in rheumatoid arthritis calls into question the commonly held belief that low-dose prednisone is safe... Wolfe F, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2006;54:628-634.
Wednesday Feb 01, 2006
EMEA Recommends Approval of Remicade® for Ulcerative Colitis
Centocor, Inc, has announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use of the European Union's European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has recommended the approval of RemicadeR for ulcerative colitis...
Wednesday Jan 25, 2006
Targeted Genetics Restructures to Advance Anti-TNF-Alpha Agent tgAAC94 for Inflammatory Arthritis
Targeted Genetics Corporation, of Seattle, Washington, announced the restructuring of its operations...
Tuesday Jan 10, 2006
ARMADA Trial Supports Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Adalimumab and Background Methotrexate for RA
Adalimumab plus background methotrexate is a safe and well-tolerated combination that has demonstrated a sustained clinical response and remission in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for up to 4 years... Weinblatt ME, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. Published online Dec. 16, 2005; doi:10.1136/ard.2005.044404.
Sunday Dec 18, 2005
Etanercept May Be Effective for the Depression and Fatigue of Psoriasis
A new phase III trial has found that the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibitor etanercept not only improves the clinical manifestations of psoriasis but also relieves the fatigue and depression associated with the disease. The findings point to the role higher concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α have in major depressive symptoms…. Tyring S, et al. Lancet [serial online]. December 15, 2005.
Tuesday Nov 22, 2005
Belimumab Data Show Only Modest Clinical Effect in RA
While belimumab is biologically active, safe, and somewhat effective for RA, the magnitude of its effect may not portend a bright future for the novel anti-BlyS agent... Presented at: 69th Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology; November 12–17, 2005; San Diego, Calif. Abstract 1920.
Monday Nov 21, 2005
Genentech, Biogen IDEC's Rituxan® Benefits RA Patients Unresponsive to Methotrexate and Anti-TNF Therapies
Genentech, Inc, and Biogen IDEC, who filed in October for US Food and Drug Administration approval to market rituximab (Rituxan®)...
Thursday Nov 17, 2005
Three Novel and Distinct Agents Show Promise in RA
Three promising new rheumatoid arthritis (RA) drugs—including an oral small-molecule inhibitor that targets a novel adenosine receptor (AR) and a new anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) agent—may soon augment the rheumatologist's ever-expanding armamentarium... Presented at: Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology; November 12–17, 2005; San Diego, Calif.
Wednesday Nov 16, 2005
Long-Term Follow-Up Results Show Durable RA Responses with Abatacept
Abatacept, the selective co-stimulation modulator of T-cell activation, has demonstrated sustained clinical benefit during 18 months of treatment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who had inadequate responses to anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (anti-TNF-α) therapy... Presented at: Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology; November 12–17, 2005; San Diego, Calif.
Wednesday Nov 16, 2005
REFLEX Trial Demonstrates Efficacy of Rituximab in RA Resistant to Anti-TNF Therapy
Rituximab, an anti-CD20+ B-cell-targeted monoclonal antibody with an established therapeutic record in the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, has shown statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who are refractory to anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) therapy... Presented at: Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology; November 12–17, 2005; San Diego, Calif.
Wednesday Nov 16, 2005
TNF-α Antagonist Adalimumab Shows Promise in AS
Encouraging results from the ATLAS trial suggest that adalimumab and other TNF-α inhibitors may be effective in reducing the signs and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis... Presented at: Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology; November 12–17, 2005; San Diego, Calif.
Tuesday Nov 15, 2005
Despite Demonstrated Efficacy of Anti-TNF Therapies, Many Patients Stop Treatment
While biologic therapies targeted against tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) have built a "satisfactory" track record in rheumatologic conditions, this emerging standard of care is still marked by a loss of efficacy over time and the withdrawal of patients from their initial therapy, indicating a need for improvement... Presented at: 69th Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology; November 12–17, 2005; San Diego, Calif.
Tuesday Nov 15, 2005
Thalidomide Shows Promise in Refractory Systemic Onset Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Thalidomide improves systemic clinical features, lab parameters, and joint symptoms in most patients with refractory systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (So-JIA), but caution is urged due to possible neurologic side effects... Badot V, et al. Presented at: 69th Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology; November 12–17, 2005; San Diego, Calif.
Sunday Nov 13, 2005
Targeted Anti-Cytokine Therapies Emerging as the Future of RA Treatment
Although tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) blockade is the new standard of care for patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA), other targeted therapies—including abatacept, B-cell-depleting agents, and anti-interleukin-6 monoclonal receptor antibodies—are emerging to fill the unmet needs of RA patients ... Maini R. Presented at: 69th Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology; November 12–17, 2005; San Diego, Calif.
Friday Oct 07, 2005
Novel Population of T Cells Found to Produce IL-17; In Vivo Analysis Reveals Role of Cytokine in Inflammatory Disease
New research examining the production and function of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin 17 (IL-17) may pave the way for more effective ways to prevent and treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other autoimmune and inflammatory conditions . . . Nat Immunol [serial online]. October 2, 2005.
Wednesday Sep 28, 2005
New-Onset or Exacerbation of Psoriatic Skin Lesions in RA Patients on Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Antagonists
Nine rheumatic arthritis (RA) patients treated with 3 different tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) antagonist formulations developed new-onset or an exacerbation of psoriatic lesions, despite the efficacy of TNF-α antagonists in treating such psoriatic lesions in the past. These first-ever reported cases will likely spur further analysis of the unexpected phenomenon...Kary S, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. Online First. September 8, 2005.
Wednesday Sep 21, 2005
Johnson & Johnson's Remicade (infliximab) First Biologic Approved by US FDA for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis
Centocor, Inc, a biotech unit of Johnson & Johnson, has announced that Remicade® (infliximab) has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration...
Friday Sep 16, 2005
Abatacept Beneficial to Patients with RA Refractory to TNF-α Inhibitors
Abatacept has shown benefit to rheumatoid arthritis patients with inadequate response to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibitors, according to the results of a randomized, double-blind study...Genovese MC, et al. N Engl J Med. 2005;353:1114-1123.
Friday Sep 09, 2005
Roche Files RA Indication for MabThera (Rituximab) in Europe
Roche Holding AG (Basel, Switzerland) announced the regulatory filing of MabTheraâ„¢ (rituximab) in Europe...
Friday Sep 09, 2005
FDA Arthritis Advisory Committee Gives Preliminary Go-ahead to Abatacept
A Food and Drug Administration Arthritis Advisory Committee unanimously recommended approval of Orencia® (abatacept) Tuesday, stating that the benefits of the costimulation blocker for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) outweighed the risks of serious infections like pneumonia and some cancers.
Monday Aug 29, 2005
Is There a Role for TNF Inhibitors in Refractory Subacute Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus?
New research demonstrating expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in refractory subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) skin lesions suggests a possible role for TNF blockade in the treatment of this disease. Zampieri S, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. August 11, 2005. [Epub ahead of print]
Tuesday Aug 23, 2005
MRI Data Show Etanercept Reduces Spinal Lesions in AS, but Questions Remain
Etanercept therapy leads to the regression of spinal lesions in active ankylosing spondylitis and undifferentiated spondyloarthritis... Rudwaleit M, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2005;64:1305-1310
Wednesday Aug 10, 2005
Abatacept Reduces Disease Activity and Improves Function in RA Patients Who Failed MTX
Results of a 12-month study show that the first in a class of agents designed to block a costimulatory pathway required for optimum activation of T cells may play an important role in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), particularly among patients unresponsive to methotrexate (MTX)... Kremer JM, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2005;52:2263-2271.
Friday Aug 05, 2005
Targeted Genetics' Soluble TNF-α Receptor Technology for Inflammatory Arthritis Called Promising
Targeted Genetics Corporation, of Seattle, Washington, released clinical data from a small multicenter Phase I study showing that tgAAC94, a recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector, is well tolerated and can be administered directly into the joints of patients with inflammatory arthritis.
Sunday Jul 31, 2005
UCB's Cimzia Demonstrates Positive Results in Phase III Trials for Crohn's Disease
USB Pharma, Inc, of Atlanta, Georgia, the biopharmaceutical subsidiary of international pharmaceutical...
Thursday Jun 30, 2005
Debiopharm and Neovacs to Develop Anti-TNF-Alpha Therapeutic Vaccine
Debiopharm SA, a Swiss drug development company, and Neovacs SA, a French biotechnology company specializing in anticytokine immunogens, announced the execution of a license and equity agreement for the development of Neovacs' tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) kinoidR, a nontoxic immunogenic cytokine derivative that, in the presence of a T-helper carrier protein, triggers an active human polyclonal antibody immune response against TNF-α, while avoiding the generation of anti-idiotypic antibodies (antibody resistance).
Thursday Jun 16, 2005
TEMPO Demonstrates Effects of TNF-α Blockade Over 3 Years
The benefits of continuous treatment with etanercept and methotrexate persist for at least 3 years, and, as more patients achieve remission, researchers' focus may turn to determining whether patients can safely discontinue TNF inhibitors...Presented at: Annual European Congress of Rheumatology of EULAR; June 8-11, 2005; Vienna, Austria.
Wednesday Jun 15, 2005
Alefacept in Combination With Methotrexate Evaluated for the Treatment of Psoriatic Arthritis
A 6-month study of the memory T cell suppressor alefacept suggests that the agent will be an effective tool in the armamentarium against PsA... Presented at: Annual European Congress of Rheumatology of EULAR; June 8-11, 2005; Vienna, Austria.
Monday Jun 13, 2005
EULAR Report: Developments in the Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis Using TNF-α Inhibitors
Studies of low-dose regimens, the effects of discontinuation, and 52-week data from an initial study of adalimumab highlight the results presented at EULAR on the use of TNF-α inhibitors in the treatment of AS...Presented at Annual European Congress of Rheumatology of EULAR; June 8-11, 2005; Vienna, Austria.
Friday Jun 10, 2005
Treatment of RA Reduces Cardiovascular Mortality
Analysis of a large RA database reveals that treatment with MTX or anti-TNF-α drugs causes a significant decrease in mortality, specifically in death due to cardiovascular and pulmonary disease... Presented at: Annual European Congress of Rheumatology of EULAR; June 8-11, 2005; Vienna, Austria.
Friday Jun 10, 2005
EULAR Report: TNF-α Inhibition and Mycobacterium TB Infection
Several epidemiological studies highlight the importance of prescreening for latent TB before initiation of TNF-α inhibitors... Presented at: Annual European Congress of Rheumatology of EULAR; June 8-11, 2005; Vienna, Austria.
Thursday Jun 09, 2005
Abatacept Inhibits Structural Damage in RA Patients with Inadequate Response to Methotrexate
New studies help define and clarify potential niche for costimulation blockade in autoimmunity...Presented at: Annual European Congress of Rheumatology of EULAR; June 8-11, 2005; Vienna, Austria.
Monday Jun 06, 2005
Trials Outline Effective Strategies for the Use of Existing Therapies in Ankylosing Spondylitis
Four new studies highlight ways to use non-steroidals, biologics, and methotrexate in ankylosing spondylitis. Marzo-Ortega H, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2005 May 26; [Epub ahead of print].
Thursday Jun 02, 2005
Anti-TNF Blockade Modulates Androgen Production in Rheumatoid Arthritis
A new study links TNF to a deficiency in the production of the androgen DHEA in the synovial tissue of rheumatoid arthritis patients, and demonstrates that TNF inhibitors can reverse this effect...Weidler C, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2005;52:1721-1729.
Tuesday May 17, 2005
Medarex's Fully Human Monoclonal Antibody Targeting IP-10 (CXCL10) Starts Phase I Trial
Medarex Inc, announced the initiation of a multicenter, single-dose, dose-escalation, 32-patient Phase I clinical trial for MDX-1100, a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting the chemokine IP-10 (CXCL10), for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.
Friday Apr 22, 2005
High-Dose Methotrexate Particularly Effective for Polyarticular Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
A head-to-head trial comparing leflunomide and methotrexate monotherapy showed that both drugs demonstrated significant improvement in ACR Pediatric 30 responses through a 48-week course of therapy...Silverman E, et al. New Engl J Med. 2005;352:1655-1666.
Thursday Apr 21, 2005
New Evidence Suggests That TNF Inhibitors Do Not Confer Risk of Lymphoma or Solid Tumors in RA Patients
Two studies examining large Swedish cohorts attempt to clarify the relationship between rheumatoid arthritis, tumor necrosis factor-alpha blockade, and the risk of malignancy...Askling J, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. April, 20 2005; [Epub ahead of print]
Thursday Apr 14, 2005
Phase III RituxanR Study Demonstrates Clinical Improvement in Treatment-resistant RA
Following positive preliminary findings from a Phase IIb study that evaluated the efficacy and safety of the approved cancer drug Rituxan in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, Genentech Inc, Biogen Idec and Roche Pharmaceuticals announced that a recent Phase III study has met its primary endpoint based on clinical improvement (ACR 20 responses) at week 24.
Tuesday Apr 12, 2005
Limited Dose Increase Effective in Patients Initially Unresponsive to Infliximab
RA patients who show an insufficient clinical response to 3 mg/kg infliximab every 8 weeks can benefit from a limited dose increase of 100 mg from week 30 onward... Durez P, et al. Rheumatology. 2005;44:465-468.
Wednesday Apr 06, 2005
Study Links TNF Inhibitors to Dermatologic Problems in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
Although a causative relationship has yet to be established, the new data put physicians on alert for a "less than major complication" Flendrie M, et al. Arthritis Res Ther. 2005;7:666-676.
Thursday Feb 10, 2005
Anti-TNF Therapy Does Not Increase Overall Cancer Risk in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis, but Is Linked to Higher Number of Lymphomas
Swedish researchers note that the types of lymphomas, including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease, were in line with those recently reported in RA patients...Geborek P, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2005
Thursday Feb 03, 2005
Crohn's Disease Patients With Attenuated Response to Infliximab May Respond to Adalimumab
Mimicking the paradigm seen with TNF-blockade in rheumatoid arthritis, preliminary data suggest that switching infliximab nonresponders to adalimumab may improve the clinical response and reduce disease activity...Papadakis KA. Am J Gastroenterol. 2005;100:75-79.
Tuesday Dec 21, 2004
SLE Patients Treated with TNF-ÃŽalpha Blockade Show Improvement
Study indicates that TNF-alpha blocker may reduce SLE disease activity in patients' joints and kidneys, without serious adverse events; need for larger clinical trials cited... Aringer M, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2004;50: 3161-3169.
Wednesday Dec 15, 2004
Novel Class of Bone Resorption Inhibitors Is Identified
Newly identified biphenyl derivatives, which are shown to inhibit osteoclastic bone resorption in vitro and prevent ovariectomy-induced bone loss in vivo, may have potential therapeutic advantages over bisphosphonates in the treatment of diseases such as osteoporosis, Paget's disease, and cancer-associated bone disorders....van Hof RJ, et al. J Bone Miner Res. 2004;19:1651-1660.
Wednesday Oct 27, 2004
Anti-TNF Drugs Appear to Show Benefits in Most Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients and May Also Improve Psoriatic Arthritis
Recent study findings indicate that ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis may respond well to infliximab, etanercept, and adalimumab... Rudwaleit M, Sieper J… Z Rheumatol. 2004;63:193-202.
Wednesday Oct 27, 2004
Anti-TNF Drugs Appear to Show Benefits in Most Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients – and May Also Improve Psoriatic Arthritis
Recent study findings indicate that ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis may respond well to infliximab, etanercept, and adalimumab... Rudwaleit M, Sieper J… Z Rheumatol. 2004;63:193-202.
Friday Oct 22, 2004
Infliximab Therapy Markedly Improves Skin Symptoms in Psoriatic Arthritis
Independent of the arthritis response, clinicians should continue to use the anti-tumor necrosis factor agent infliximab for patients with active psoriatic arthritis because the drug markedly reduces skin symptoms... Mease P, et al. Presented at: Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology; October 20, 2004; San Antonio, Tex.
Wednesday Oct 20, 2004
Adalimumab Markedly Reduces Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms
Striking benefits are shown for psoriatic arthritis patients' skin and joint symptoms with adalimumab vs placebo... Mease PJ, et al. Presented at Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology; October 19, 2004; San Antonio, Texas
Wednesday Oct 20, 2004
New Phase III Trial With Abatacept Gives Hope to Methotrexate Nonresponders
A phase III clinical trial reported that nearly half of rheumatoid arthritis patients receiving monthly injections of the T-cell inactivator abatacept achieved at least a 50% reduction in symptoms... Kremer J, et al. Presented at: Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology; October 19, 2004; San Antonio, Texas.
Monday Oct 04, 2004
FDA Approves Etanercept as Pre-Filled Syringe, Infliximab as First-Line Therapy for Moderate to Severe RA
The FDA has approved etanercept (Enbrel) as a pre-filled syringe formulation for once weekly use, and granted approval for a supplemental labeling change stating that the medication can induce a major clinical response in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In another regulatory decision, the FDA has approved the use of infliximab (Remicade) in combination with methotrexate as a first-line treatment for patients with RA.
Wednesday Sep 15, 2004
Advances in anti-TNF Therapy for RA
Two studies give insight regarding the time after RA onset to introduce anti-TNF therapy, and which doses to use to get an optimal response. (Baumgartner SW, et al. J Rheumatol. 2004;31:1532-1537; Stern R, Wolfe F. J Rheumatol. 2004;31:1538-1545.)
Tuesday Sep 14, 2004
Focus Groups Show RA Patients' Views of Anti-TNF Therapy
RA patients on anti-TNF therapy have differing expectations of therapy, depending on their background and self-education. They also may experience benefits beyond those typically measured in clinical trials. (Marshall NJ, et al. Rheumatology. 2004;43:1034-1038.)
Thursday Sep 02, 2004
B Lymphocyte Depletion Seen with Rituximab in Seropositive RA Patients
A treatment often used in B-cell non-Hodkin's lymphoma may have promise for methotrexate-refractory RA patients.
Thursday Jun 10, 2004
Early Results of the ReAct Trial Confirm the Efficacy and Safety of Adalimumab (HUMIRA)
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