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Found 171 result(s) FROM 1963 pages containing the term 'genes'.
Wednesday Jan 27, 2010
RA Development Can Be Predicted by Inflammatory Cytokines
Increased concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines can predict onset of RA before symptoms develop...
Thursday Nov 05, 2009
TNFα Weakens Bones in Diabetes
High levels of TNF-α in diabetics accelerates cartilage loss, weakens bones, and slows fracture healing...
Thursday Sep 24, 2009
Rituximab Improves SSc Lung Function
A small pilot study has established proof-of-principle that rituximab improves lung function in scleroderma...
Monday Sep 21, 2009
RA Gene Screening Almost Ready for Primetime
Genetic screening for rheumatoid arthritis risk is not yet clinically useful, but combining five confirmed RA loci may provide an accurate predictive test...
Wednesday Jul 01, 2009
Masitinib Pilot Study Shows Promise in DMARD-resistant RA
The first drug to target mast cells in RA shows promising early results in an uncontrolled phase 2a trial...
Wednesday Jun 03, 2009
DHEA Intensifies Calcium, Vitamin D Effect on BMD
Adding DHEA to calcium and vitamin D significantly increases spine BMD in older women (but not in men) and might be a good thing, provided the women don't have family cancer risk and don't need to pass any sports doping tests...
Monday Apr 27, 2009
Two Big Steps for Lupus Nephritis Research
Genes that encode CXCR4/CXCL12 and kallikrein help determine whether lupus patients will develop kidney damage...
Thursday Apr 02, 2009
Hurt Cartilage Harbors Potential OA Cure: Stem Cells
Harnessing the power of chondrogenic progenitor cells in diseased human cartilage may help researchers develop regenerative OA therapies...
Monday Mar 23, 2009
JIA Gene Profile Study Shows “Remission” Is Not “Normal”
Gene profile data show that juvenile idiopathic arthritis remission is not a return to normal, but a balance between proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory activity...
Wednesday Feb 18, 2009
Ustekinumab Reduces Psoriatic Arthritis Pain, Clears Lesions
Ustekinumab (CNTO 1275), a new monoclonal antibody that blocks interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23 (IL-23), may help thwart the pain, swelling and lesions of psoriatic arthritis...
Monday Feb 02, 2009
Rituximab B-Cell Depletion Stops JIA
Systemic onset JIA responded dramatically to B-cell depletion with rituximab...
Friday Jan 30, 2009
Psoriasis Gene Studies Fill In More Pieces of the Puzzle
New genetics data suggest novel approaches to psoriasis treatment...
Friday Nov 21, 2008
EntreMed Reports Antiangiogenic Role of 2ME2 Demonstrated in RA Models
Preclinical results for 2ME2 (Panzem® or 2-methoxyestradiol) in rheumatoid arthritis demonstrated that 2ME2 involutes rat collagen-induced arthritis and suppresses synovial VEGF and bFGF gene expression...
Friday Oct 10, 2008
Understanding RA Relapse After Pregnancy
New research sheds light on why rheumatoid arthritis (RA) tends to become reactivated in the postpartum period...
Wednesday Oct 08, 2008
Fractalkine May Be Key to Unleashed Immune Response in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Fractalkine (FKN) is emerging as a central player in the RA synovial inflammation, neovascularization, and joint destruction, and also might be link between joint damage and increased cardiovascular risk...
Tuesday Oct 07, 2008
Discovery Of New Genes Linked To Gout
Two new genes have been identified and associated with increased risk of elevated uric acid levels in the blood, which can lead to gout…
Tuesday Sep 30, 2008
Microparticles May Be Big Players in Systemic Scleroderma Disease Activity
Microparticles—small, membrane, coated vesicles—found in the blood of systemic scleroderma patients might not be inert debris…
Monday Sep 29, 2008
Pegloticase May be Just What the Rheumatologist Ordered for Treatment-Resistant Gout
Treatment-resistant gout may have finally met its match with a new, urate-lowering drug...
Tuesday Sep 23, 2008
Rheumatologists Advised to Test For, Treat H. Pylori to Stop Ulcers in NSAID Users
The role of H. pylori in the pathogenesis of NSAID-induced gastroduodenal lesions is controversial, but the treatment is not…
Wednesday Sep 17, 2008
NSAIDs May Block Prostate Cancer Detection
Regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs might reduce serum levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) and interfere with prostate cancer detection...
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 Sep 08, 2008
ACR Research and Education Foundation Grants Point to New Arthritis Research
New REF grants target RA immunotherapy, inflammation, bone erosions, PAD inhibition...
Friday Aug 29, 2008
Ligaments Tie Together OA Pathology
Ligaments are emerging as the key to understanding why osteoarthritis develops in nontraumatized joints...
Monday Aug 11, 2008
Hollis-Eden Initiates Phase I/II Clinical Trial With TRIOLEX™ (HE3286) in RA
Hollis-Eden's investigational, nonimmunosuppressive oral drug candidate Triolex™ (HE3286), a stabilized, synthetic analog of a naturally occurring molecule metabolized by the body, is being tested in patients diagnosed with RA who are receiving a stable dose of MTX...
Friday Aug 01, 2008
Tiny Mitochondria May Have Big Role in OA
Mitochondrial dysfunction appears to play a major role in knee OA, and mitochondrial DNA haplotypes partly determine whether OA will develop and its severity...
Thursday Jul 17, 2008
New OA-Associated Gene Points to β-Tubulin Connection
Variants in a gene called DVWA may increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis...
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...
Thursday May 29, 2008
Medarex Initiates Phase II Proof-of-Concept Trials for MDX-1100, a Fully Human Anti-CXCL10 Monoclonal Antibody, in UC and RA
Medarex announced that it has initiated two phase II clinical development programs of MDX-1100, a fully human monoclonal antibody that targets CXCL10 (also known as IP-10), in ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis...
Friday May 02, 2008
Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act Passes Congress, Heads for White House
Both houses of Congress have passed legislation that bans discrimination in employment, insurance, and other areas based on an individual’s genetic makeup, and the bill is expected to be quickly signed into law by President George W. Bush...
Friday May 02, 2008
Icelandic and British Researchers ID Five New Osteoporosis Genes
New research spotlighting five genetic loci associated with bone mineral density (BMD) and fractures may provide insight into the biochemical pathways that underlie osteoporosis…
Thursday Apr 24, 2008
S. pyogenes-Linked New-Onset Childhood Arthritis Differs in Severity, Duration, from Other Types
Up to 35% of children with new-onset arthritis test positive for S. pyogenes and have a different disease course than children with other forms of inflammatory arthritis; they do not need routine cardiology follow-up, according to a population-based study...
Wednesday Apr 23, 2008
GSK, Regulus Form Alliance to Develop microRNA-Targeted Therapeutics to Treat RA and IBD; Deal Potentially Valued at Over $600 Million
GlaxoSmithKline and Regulus Therapeutics LLC announced a worldwide strategic alliance to discover, develop, and market novel microRNA(miRNA)-targeted therapeutics to treat inflammatory diseases such as RA and inflammatory bowel disease...
Monday Apr 14, 2008
Twin Spine Study Shows Genes, Not Injuries Cause Most Disc Problems
Researchers with the Twin Spine Study show that most degenerative back problems are linked to genes, not to aging, injuries, lifting, or driving. They also identified several genes involved...
Friday Apr 04, 2008
Seven New Psoriasis Risk Genes Identified
A genome-wide study has identified 7 new genes that appear to increase a person's risk for psoriasis…
Monday Mar 24, 2008
Chronic TNF Response Sustains Inflammation but Partly Protects Bones
A newly-discovered autocrine loop in TNF-stimulated macrophages sustains expression of inflammatory mediators and sets up macrophages to respond to endogenous inflammatory factors, but may also protect bones...
Wednesday Mar 19, 2008
LRP5 Gene Variants Linked to Fractures, Lower BMD
Common LRP5 gene variants are associated with an increased risk for fractures and lower levels of bone mineral density (BMD) in the spine and hip across different white populations…
Friday Feb 29, 2008
HLA-DRB1 Linked to Premature Cardiac Death in Some RA Patients
Patients with inflammatory polyarthritis (IP) who have the shared epitope (SE) alleles of the HLA-DRB1 gene are at increased risk of premature death from cardiovascular disease (CVD) and may benefit from treatment to improve their CV profile...
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...
Wednesday Feb 13, 2008
Hollis-Eden Initiates Phase I/II Clinical Trial With Oral Anti-Inflammatory Drug Candidate Triolexâ„¢ in UC; RA Study Planned in 2Q/08
Hollis-Eden Pharmaceuticals, Inc announced that it has begun a phase I/II clinical trial with Triolexâ„¢ (HE3286), an insulin sensitizer for ulcerative colitis...
Tuesday Jan 22, 2008
Four Research Groups Report New Lupus Genes
A major international collaborative that includes European and North American lupus researchers, government agencies, research foundations, and industry has discovered four new lupus-related genes and may increase interest in the B-cell-receptor signaling pathway and in inflammatory cell adhesion as potential therapeutic targets...
Wednesday Jan 16, 2008
Etanercept Clears Plaque Psoriasis in Children and Adolescents
Etanercept (Enbrel®) safely reduces disease severity in children and adolescents with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, and improvements are evident as early as the second week of therapy...
Tuesday Dec 11, 2007
Identification of Two New Ankylosing Spondylitis Genes Suggest Novel Therapeutic Targets
Genome scans have identified two of the suspected handful of non-MHC genes that appear to collaborate with HLA-B27 in "turning on" disease processes that result in ankylosing spondylitis and other seronegative arthropathies...
Wednesday Dec 05, 2007
Drug Update: Infliximab
Researchers offer advice on reducing infliximab infusion times in RA, predicting who will respond, and what to expect in patients with ankylosing spondylitis...
Monday Nov 26, 2007
Teriparatide Builds More Bone Than Alendronate in Steroid-Caused Osteoporosis
Teriparatide built more bone mass and prevented more vertebral fractures than alendronate in the first head-to-head study of the two drugs for glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis...
Friday Nov 09, 2007
Control of Osteoclast Development Goes Awry in Gout
Patients with tophaceous gout have disordered osteoclast development partly due to the effect of uric acid crystals on bone marrow stromal cells...
Thursday Nov 08, 2007
Serum Uric Acid May Be Independent Risk Factor in RA Cardiovascular Disease
Elevated serum uric acid, a potentially modifiable problem, may be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease in patients with RA...
Monday Oct 22, 2007
Hollis-Eden Reports Positive Data Demonstrating That Anti-Inflammatory Agent HE3286 (TriolexTM) Provides Benefit in Animal Models of Ulcerative Colitis and RA; Will Initiate Phase I/II Clinical Study in RA
Hollis-Eden Pharmaceuticals, Inc, a company focused on the development of a proprietary new class of small molecules that are metabolites or synthetic analogs of endogenous adrenal steroid hormones, announced additional data on drug candidate HE3286 (TriolexTM), an orally active, second generation, synthetic 17-ethynyl derivative of the steroid hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), currently in preclinical and clinical study for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and inflammatory disorders...
Thursday Sep 20, 2007
Researchers Identify Additional RA, SLE Genes
Genetics researchers report a new variant on chromosome 9 associated with anti-CCP-positive RA and a mutation of STAT4 on chromosome 2q associated with both RA and lupus...
Tuesday Sep 11, 2007
Genizon BioSciences Reports Results of Genome-Wide Association Study in Quebec Founder Population and the Identification of Multiple Validated Novel Genes for Crohn's
Genizon BioSciences Inc, known for its genome-wide association studies of the Quebec Founder Population (QFP) in search of genes involved in complex diseases, announced the identification of four novel loci (3p21, 4p16.1, 17q11.1, and 17q22-q23) in Crohn's disease (CD)...
Wednesday Sep 05, 2007
Rheumatologists Asked to Take Lead in Reducing Cardiovascular Risk in RA Patients
The chronic inflammation that characterizes many rheumatoid diseases is thought to be one cause of the higher rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) that afflicts these patients. Experts say not enough is being done to educate patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) about the importance of early CV protection, and that early education is critical—before clinically apparent CVD is detectable...van Leuven SI, et al. Rheumatology. 2007; rheumatology/kem202 [Epub ahead of print]; John H, et al. Rheumatology. 2007; doi:10.1093/rheumatology/kem176 [Epub ahead of print].
Tuesday Sep 04, 2007
Study Offers New Theory on How Vioxx May Cause Heart Attacks, Strokes
Murine model suggests that COX-2 suppresses tissue factor (TF) expression via endocannabinoid-directed PPAR δ activation, but blocking TF may prevent cardiovascular events…Ghosh M, et al. J Exp Med. 2007; doi:10.1084/jem.20070828 [Epub ahead of print].
Tuesday Aug 28, 2007
Diseased Blood Vessels in the Bone May Cause or Aggravate OA
Vascular pathology may play a role in the pathogenesis or progression of osteoarthritis…Findlay DM. Rheumatology. 2007; doi:10.1093/rheumatology/kem191 [Epub ahead of print].
Tuesday Aug 28, 2007
Interleukin Genetics Collaborates With NYU Medical Center to Evaluate Genetic Patterns Associated With IL-1β Overproduction and Development of Polyarticular OA
Interleukin Genetics, a genetics-focused personalized health company, announced today that it has initiated a study on the genetics of osteoarthritis (OA) in collaboration with the Hospital for Joint Diseases of New York University Medical Center...
Thursday Aug 16, 2007
Welichem Initiates Phase I Clinical Trial of Topical Cream in Patients With Mild-to-Moderate Psoriasis
Welichem Biotech Inc, a publicly-traded biotechnology company developing therapeutic drugs in the fields of autoimmune diseases and cancer, announced the initiation of a phase I clinical trial of its antipsoriasis candidate WBI-1001, a small synthetic molecule compound originally isolated from bacterial metabolites, and formulated as a topical treatment...
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 09, 2007
Does Collagen Stimulate Its Own Degradation in OA Joints?
Chondrocytes are exposed to collagen in OA cartilage but not in normal joints. This process appears to trigger DDR-2-mediated expression of enzymes that further degrade collagen and add to joint destruction...Xu L et al, and Sandell LJ. Arthritis Rheum. 2007;2663-2673 and 2474-2477.
Tuesday Aug 07, 2007
Medarex Announces Initiation by Licensing Partner Novartis of Phase III Clinical Trial for Muckle-Wells Syndrome, a Rare Inherited Autoinflammatory Disease
Medarex, Inc announced that Novartis Pharmaceuticals AG has advanced ACZ885, a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-1β (IL-1 β), to a phase III clinical trial for Muckle-Wells syndrome (MWS), an inherited systemic autoinflammatory disease...
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...
Monday Jul 23, 2007
BioCryst, Roche Initiate Phase II Study of PNP Inhibitor for Psoriasis
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc, a leader in the use of crystallography and structure-based drug design for the development of novel therapeutics, announced the initiation of the first phase II study to evaluate BCX-4208/R3421, an orally available, small molecule, second generation transition-state analog inhibitor of purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP).
Friday Jul 20, 2007
OA Experts Discuss Inflammation, Joint Protection, Need for Disease-Modifying OA Drugs
CIAOMed's roundtable of osteoarthritis experts discuss the role of inflammation in OA, the possibility that OA joint damage might be preventable, and the future role of disease-modifying drugs in OA....
Thursday Jul 12, 2007
Parvovirus Linked to Many Types of Juvenile Arthritis
Persistent parvovirus infection may trigger juvenile idiopathic arthritis...
Monday Jul 09, 2007
Zap Away Knee OA Pain With Pulsed Electrostimulation
Pulsed electrostimulation may be a safe and effective way to reduce pain and improve function in knee OA patients...
Wednesday Jun 27, 2007
Roche and Toyama Chemical Execute Agreement to Develop and Commercialize an Inhibitor of the Transcription Factor AP-1 (Activator Protein-1) to Treat RA
Roche Pharmaceuticals and Toyama Chemical Co, Ltd announced that they have entered into a licensing agreement for the worldwide research, development, and commercialization of Toyama's rheumatoid arthritis (RA) agent T-5224, an orally bioavailable inhibitor of the transcription factor AP-1 (Activator Protein-1).
Saturday Jun 16, 2007
Swedish Study Concludes That Having at Least 3 Drinks a Week Halves RA Risk
The more alcohol a person consumes, the more one's risk of RA is reduced...
Thursday Jun 14, 2007
More Patients Needed to Validate Biomarkers and Genotyping in Rheumatoid Diseases
Biomarkers and genotyping technology have outpaced the number of patient cohorts available for validation studies in rheumatoid diseases, but the new approaches are expected to change how clinicians assess disease susceptibility and predict response to therapy...
Tuesday Jun 12, 2007
Smoking, Coffee, Use of Oral Contraceptives Linked to Anti-CCP-Positive RA in SE Carriers
Persons homozygous for shared epitope (SE) susceptibility genes have up to 50-fold increased risk of anti-CCP-positive RA if they are heavy smokers or drinkers, or used oral contraceptives...
Thursday Jun 07, 2007
High Plasma Homocysteine Predicts Hip Fracture
Elevated plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) may be a modifiable risk factor for osteoporotic hip fracture...
Wednesday May 30, 2007
Bristol-Myers Squibb Receives European Commission Approval for Orencia® in RA
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co (RUEIL-MALMAISON, France) announced that the European Commission has granted approval for Orencia® (abatacept), the first and only selective costimulation modulator of T-cell activation, for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA)...
Tuesday May 29, 2007
Biomechanics, Damage Outside Cartilage May Doom Chondroprotection
Chondroprotection seemed like a reasonable approach to OA when the disease was thought to result from wear and tear on cartilage, but it has had little success in clinical trials. Biomechanics and damage outside the cartilage may be the reason...
Thursday May 24, 2007
SLE Experts Highlight Need for Targeted Therapies
SLE treatment has improved, but not enough, and more targeted therapies may be the answer...
Wednesday May 23, 2007
New SLE Treatments Hit B-Cells From Several Directions
Various new treatments directed at B-cells offer mounting interest in SLE arsenal...
Tuesday May 22, 2007
Environment Interaction Seen As Next Step in Lupus Genetics
New gene analysis techniques have led to the discovery and characterization of several genes associated with SLE...
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)...
Friday May 11, 2007
Lupus Gene Protects Against Malaria, But Does Malaria Also Prevent Lupus?
A mutation that renders the FcγRIIb receptor nonfunctional vastly improves monocytes' ability to clear malaria parasites, protects lupus-prone mice against malarial disease, and may explain the high prevalence of lupus in some population groups. Interestingly, there is also some evidence suggesting that the body's response to malarial infection might reduce lupus severity in some situations...Clatworthy MR, et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2007;104:7169-7174.
Monday May 07, 2007
Selected Presentations From the American Pain Society Meeting
American Pain Society presentations included new research on genetic factors associated with TMJD and with shoulder pain, a randomized trial of nabilone for fibromyalgia, and the intersection between chronic pain and PTSD...
Thursday May 03, 2007
FDA Approves Labeling Update for Orencia® (Abatacept) to "Inhibiting" Structural Joint Damage in Adults with Moderate-to-Severe RA
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company announced that the US FDA has approved an update to the product labeling for Orencia® (abatacept) regarding the progression of structural joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients...
Monday Apr 30, 2007
RA Synovial Hyperplasia Linked to Protein That Prevents Apoptosis
Decoy receptor 3, previously found in tumor cells, is also produced in RA and OA synoviocytes and inhibits apoptosis of synoviocytes, perhaps contributing to synovial hyperplasia and pannus formation in rheumatoid joints...
Thursday Mar 29, 2007
FDG-PET Does Not Predict PMR Relapse But Does Show Inflammation of Processi Spinosi
FDG-PET did not help identify polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) patients at high risk for relapse but did reveal a high level of inflammation of the processi spinosi, a novel finding that might help explain the morning stiffness reported by so many PMR patients...
Thursday Mar 08, 2007
Stroke Specialists Urge More Attention to Hyperlipidemia, Hypertension, Baseline Lupus Activity as Predictors for Stroke
An 8-year longitudinal study of 238 lupus patients targets baseline SLE activity, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension as predictors of severe ischemic strokes and recommends aggressive intervention...
Thursday Mar 01, 2007
Calcium-Containing Crystals May Contribute to OA Joint Destruction, Be Amenable to Treatment
Evidence is accumulating that calcium-containing crystals, which are common in OA synovial fluids in some patients, contribute to the development of rapidly destructive arthritis and might be a target for therapeutic intervention...
Tuesday Feb 20, 2007
New Research Links Carpal Tunnel Syndrome to Genes
Carpal tunnel syndrome appears to be less related to occupational activity than to genetics...
Monday Jan 29, 2007
High MBL Levels Associated With Ischemic Heart Disease in RA
An altered form of IgG found in many RA patients can bind to mannose-binding lectin (MBL), and the resulting immune complexes may explain why high serum levels of MBL increase myocardial infarction risk and ischemic heart disease mortality in RA...
Monday Jan 22, 2007
Shire's LIALDA (mesalamine) Approved by the US FDA for Active Mild-to-Moderate Ulcerative Colitis; the First Oral Once-Daily Mesalamine
Shire plc announced that the US FDA has approved Lialda (5-aminosalicyclic acid (5-ASA), mesalamine) with MMX technology, for the induction of remission in patients with active, mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis (UC).
Friday Jan 19, 2007
Hazardous Waste Exposure Increases Early SLE Risk in Subgroup of African-American Women with GST Polymorphisms
Living near a hazardous waste site was not associated with risk of earlier lupus diagnosis for most African-American women surveyed in the Roxbury Lupus Project, but did increase risk for a subgroup of women who carry certain glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms...
Tuesday Jan 16, 2007
Preclinical Data Support Trial of Gleevec in SSc
The anticancer drug imatinib (Gleevec) can reduce production of extracellular matrix in SSc dermal fibroblasts, has prevented experimental dermal fibrosis in an animal model, and is seen as a "highly promising candidate" for treatment of SSc...
Wednesday Dec 20, 2006
Celera Identifies Genetic Variations in Genes Encoding IL-12 and IL-23 Predisposing Individuals to Increased Risk for Psoriasis
Celera, an Applera Corporation business, announced findings that variants in the genes encoding interleukin-12 (IL12B) and interleukin-23 (IL23R), involved in regulating the behavior of cells of the immune system, independently contribute to psoriasis risk.
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.
Tuesday Nov 21, 2006
Study Helps Explain Why Smoking Slows Ligament and Bone Healing
Smoking cigarettes delays cartilage formation in healing bone fractures and slows type I collagen production and recruitment of cells linked to healing of torn ligaments…
Thursday Nov 16, 2006
CDC Pushes to Put CFS on Doctor's Radar Screen
A new public education campaign by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) aims to convince healthcare providers that chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is real and needs to be more effectively recognized and treated... CDC Press Conference, November 3, 2006.
Wednesday Nov 15, 2006
FDA's Woodcock Pushes for Biomarkers as Key to New Drug Development and Improving Drug Safety
Janet Woodcock, MD, the FDA's deputy chief for operations, speaking at the American College of Rheumatology meeting, said that the 1990s era of blockbuster drugs is over, and that a fast public/private collaboration to identify biomarkers that permit drug researchers to "move beyond demographics" is needed to get new drug development moving and to improve drug safety... ACR 2006 Meeting.
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 Nov 13, 2006
Beyond HLA: Genetic Studies Find Markers Associated With Elevated Risk for RA
HLA DR4 is only one of the genetic factors involved in RA, and new genomics techniques are beginning to fill in the rest of the picture... Gregersen PK. Presented at ACR 2006 Meeting.
Thursday Nov 02, 2006
Disappointing Results in Study of Stem Cells for Cartilage Repair
Hopes that adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) might be used to create chondrocytes for patching cartilage had a setback when researchers found that culturing them in the usual chondrogenic medium did not produce tissues capable of becoming stable articular cartilage in vivo...
Thursday Oct 26, 2006
New Study Casts Doubt on Metabolic Dysfunction in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
A new study comparing response to exercise in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia (FM) finds exercise more difficult in CFS/FM patients than in those with CFS alone, but casts doubt on metabolic explanations for CFS…Cook DB, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2006;54:3351–3362.
Thursday Oct 12, 2006
CardioVascular BioTherapeutics, Tufts Initiate hFGF-1 R&D for Osteoporosis
CardioVascular BioTherapeutics, Inc. announced that it has signed a sponsored research agreement with Tufts University School of Medicine to study the potential use of human acidic fibroblast growth factor-1 (hFGF-1), the active component of the Company's Cardio Vascu-Growâ„¢, to treat patients with osteoporosis...
Tuesday Sep 26, 2006
Genmab Completes Accrual in Anti-CD20 Antibody Phase II RA Study
Genmab A/S, a biotechnology company that creates and develops human antibodies for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other inflammatory conditions, cancer, and infectious disease, announced it has completed enrollment in the HuMax-CD20â„¢ (ofatumumab) phase II study to treat patients with active RA who have failed treatment with one or more disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), including biologics.
Monday Sep 18, 2006
Novartis' Once-Yearly Reclast Investigational Infusion Osteoporosis Treatment Significantly Cuts Risk of Spine and Hip Fractures in Postmenopausal Women
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation announced that phase III data presented at the 28th Annual meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR), September 15–19, 2006, in Philadelphia, Pa, demonstrated that its investigational, once-yearly bisphosphonate 15-minute infusion treatment, Reclast® (zoledronic acid) 5 mg, was highly effective at reducing the incidence of bone fracture in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis across the most common fracture sites—hip, spine, and nonspine (with the exception of face, fingers, and toes)—with sustained effect over 3 years.
Tuesday Sep 05, 2006
RF Stronger Marker Than Anti-CCP for Extra-articular RA
New data show that RF is the best biomarker for severe extra-articular RA, and the association gives further clues to the causes of extra-articular manifestations in some RA patients...
Thursday Aug 31, 2006
Genizon Grants Exclusive License for Crohn's Disease GeneMap to Genentech
Genizon BioSciences, a gene and drug target discovery company, announced a license and collaboration agreement with Genentech, Inc. under which Genizon granted Genentech an exclusive license to Genizon's GeneMap of disease-associated genes generated from a whole genome association study of Crohn's disease patients from the Quebec Founder Population...
Monday Aug 21, 2006
Osiris IPO Raises $38.5 Million to Advance Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapies
Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. announced that underwriters sold 3.5 million shares of its common stock at a price of $11.00 per share, achieving the lower end of the targeted share price for its initial public offering and raising $38.5 million.
Wednesday Aug 16, 2006
Biogen Idec and University of Adelaide Find TWEAK Is a Novel Arthritogenic Mediator; Potential New Pathway in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis Disease Process
Biogen Idec announced studies published in the August 15, 2006, issue of the providing evidence that TWEAK (TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis), a TNF family member, is a novel arthritogenic mediator that contributes to joint tissue inflammation, angiogenesis, and destruction, and may inhibit endogenous repair.
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.
Friday Jul 14, 2006
Researchers Map the Genetic Substrate of RA
Two new reports on genetics and RA show that a mutation in the PTPN22 gene not only increases RA susceptibility but hastens disease progression and that development of RA is associated with altered expression of disease-associated genes, apparently in response to environmental or other nongenetic factors. Lie B, et al. EULAR 2006; Haas CS, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2006;54:2047-2060.
Thursday Jul 06, 2006
Fetal DNA in Maternal Serum Linked to RA Improvement in Pregnancy
Pregnancy-related improvements in RA disease activity parallel the levels of fetal DNA in maternal serum, suggesting a possible vaccine strategy …Yan Z, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2006;54:2069-2073.
Tuesday Jun 20, 2006
VLST Raises $55 Million in Series B Financing to Develop Treatments for Autoimmune and Inflammatory Disorders
VLST Corporation, of Seattle, Washington, announced that it has raised $55 million in Series B financing...
Monday Jun 19, 2006
EULAR Issues First Gout Guidelines in Advance of Annual Meeting
The EULAR Gout Task Force has issued a two-part set of evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and management of gout... Zhang W, et al. Ann Rheum Dis [serial online]; 17 May 2006.
Wednesday Jun 14, 2006
Arthritis Gene Therapy Inches Forward
TNF inhibitors and other biologicals may command more attention, and stem cells may be more controversial, but arthritis gene therapy continues to move quietly ahead... Evans C, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2006;54:1714-1729.
Monday Jun 12, 2006
Intercept's Agonist of the Farnesoid X Bile Acid Receptor May Have Utility As IBD Treatment
Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc, announced new data presented at the Digestive Disease Week annual meeting, highlighting the role of the farnesoid X bile acid receptor (FXR) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)...
Monday Jun 12, 2006
Galapagos and GSK Form Drug Discovery and Development Alliance in Osteoarthritis
Galapagos NV, of Mechelen, Belgium, and GlaxoSmithKline announced a drug discovery and development alliance in OA...
Wednesday May 17, 2006
Lupus Worsens Atherosclerosis, Changes Plaques
Preclinical work in atherosclerosis-prone mice shows that adding a lupus-susceptible immune system greatly accelerates and worsens atherogenesis, which might help explain the accelerated atherosclerosis seen in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus... Stanic AK, et al. PNAS.
Thursday May 11, 2006
"Fossil Virus" Footprints Found in RA
Human endogenous K10 retroviruses, the residue of infections from generations past, are significantly more active in rheumatoid arthritis patients than in osteoarthritis patients or normal controls and might contribute to the development of autoimmune disease... Ejtehadi HD, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2006;65:612-616.
Thursday May 11, 2006
Adding Zoledronic Acid Improves MTX Efficacy in Early RA
Zoledronic acid added to standard methotrexate treatment reduced the progression of MRI hand and wrist erosions by 61% in patients with early RA, apparently by inhibiting osteoclast activity... Jarrett AJ, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2006;54:1410-1414.
Friday Apr 28, 2006
Brief Pulse of Ultraviolet-A Light Provides Site-Specific Gene Therapy for Damaged Articular Cartilage
A brief pulse of ultraviolet-A light may currently be the safest way to provide site-specific gene therapy for damaged articular cartilage... Maloney MD, et al. J Bone Joint Surg. 2006;88:753-761.
Thursday Apr 20, 2006
New Research in Animal Models Helps Clarify Mechanism by Which COX-2 Inhibitors Increase Incidence of MI and Stroke
New research using murine models helps to clarify the mechanism by which cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors increase the incidence of myocardial infarction and stroke, potentially paving the way for a new generation of drugs that will avoid this effect... Cheng Y, et al. J Clin Invest. [serial online] April 13, 2006;doi:10.1172/JCI27540.
Tuesday Apr 18, 2006
Reata Obtains Exclusive Worldwide Rights to Tricyclic-Bis-Enones, a New Class of Anti-Inflammatory Compounds
Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc, of Dallas, Texas, has been granted exclusive worldwide rights to a novel class of anti-inflammatory compounds, tricyclic-bis-enones (TBEs)...
Friday Apr 14, 2006
Testing for Second-Generation Anti-CCP Antibodies in Patients With Early RA is Useful for Predicting Radiographic and Functional Outcomes
Anti-CCP antibodies are a useful diagnostic tool, particularly among seronegative rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. The presence of anti-CCP antibodies confers prognostic utility for radiographic and functional outcomes... Quinn MA, et al. Rheumatology. 2005;45:478-480.
Thursday Apr 06, 2006
BMP-6 is a Potent Inducer of Chondrogenesis in Adipose-Derived Adult Stem Cells
Bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP-6) stimulates the differentiation of human adipose-derived adult stem (ADAS) cells into cartilage cells... Estes BT, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2006;54:1222-1232.
Tuesday Apr 04, 2006
New Research Suggests That the Psoriasis Susceptibility I (PSORS1) Gene Has Been Identified
Previous studies have narrowed the interval containing PSORS1 to a 300-kilobase (kb)region in the major histocompatibility locus (MHC), which includes HLA-C and at least 10 other genes. New evidence suggests that HLA-Cw6 is the PSORS1 allele that confers susceptibility to early-onset psoriasis... Nair RP, et al. Am J Hum Genetics. 2006;78:827-851.
Thursday Mar 23, 2006
Biomarkers May Identify Early Implant Failure or Loosening
New research is helping to identify early biomarkers of prosthetic performance as well as genetic polymorphisms that predict risk of osteolysis... Presented at: 52nd Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society; March 18–22, 2006; Chicago, Ill.
Monday Mar 20, 2006
Use of Muscle-Derived Stem Cells May Revolutionize Treatment of OA
Due to their regenerative capabilities, muscle-derived stem cells may one day revolutionize the treatment of osteoarthritis, potentially staving off the need for joint replacement surgery in millions... Huard J, et al. Presented at: 52nd Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society; March 18–22, 2006; Chicago, Ill. Workshop 1.
Thursday Mar 02, 2006
Denosumab Shows Promise in Phase II Study of Bone Mineral Density
Twice yearly injections of denosumab (previously known as AMG 162) significantly increased bone mineral density in the total hip, lumbar spine, distal 1/3 radius, and total body of postmenopausal women compared with placebo... McClung MR, et al. N Engl J Med. 2006;354:821-831.
Thursday Feb 23, 2006
EntreMed Receives New Patent for 2-Methoxyestradiol (2ME2, or Panzem®) Analogs for Inflammatory Diseases
EntreMed, Inc, of Rockville, Maryland, announced the issuance of US Patent No. 6,995,278, covering compositions and methods for treating mammalian diseases characterized by undesirable angiogenesis, by administering derivatives of 2-methoxyestradiol...
Wednesday Jan 18, 2006
Combination of cDNA Expression Library and Whatman Protein Microarray Technology Led to Identification of Potential Autoantigens in the Pathogenesis of Alopecia Areata
Whatman, plc (Middlesex, UK), and Protagen, AG (Dortmund, Germany), have issued a joint statement announcing that the combination of two promising technologies...
Wednesday Dec 14, 2005
Modified Type II Collagen Found to Act as Autoantigen in RA
New research reveals the ability of modified type II collagen to act as an autoantigen in the inflamed joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), possibly contributing to the cycle of chronicity associated with the disease… Nissim A, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2005;52:3685-3692.
Monday Dec 05, 2005
Roche and BioCryst Collaborate on Phase I Compound for Autoimmune Diseases and Transplant Rejection
Roche Pharmaceuticals of Nutley, New Jersey, and BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc, of Birmingham, Alabama, have announced...
Wednesday Nov 30, 2005
Pfizer to Pay Up to $803 Million for Incyte CCR2 Antagonists for Chronic Inflammation
Pfizer Inc and Incyte Corporation have entered into a global collaborative research and license agreement...
Thursday Nov 17, 2005
A 35-Year Look at SLE: Lower Mortality and Milder Disease at Presentation
Despite the absence of a new therapy for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the past 30 years, mortality from SLE and disease activity at presentation are declining—findings that may be attributed in part to the greater use of immunosuppressive agents and lower steroid doses... Urowitz MB, et al. Presented at: 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.
Thursday Nov 10, 2005
Vitamin D Status More Important Than High Calcium Intake for Calcium Homeostatis
New research suggests that maintaining adequate serum vitamin D levels can ensure ideal parathyroid hormone (PTH) values without the need for calcium intake above 800 mg/day; findings that provide further evidence of the importance of vitamin D to optimal bone health…Steingrimsdottir L, et al. JAMA. 2005;294:2336-2341.
Friday Nov 04, 2005
Study Provides Additional Clues to the Causes of Systemic Sclerosis and the Potential Efficacy of Paclitaxel
New research in a murine model points to the ability of low-dose paclitaxel (Taxol®) to modulate transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) and lessen fibrosis in systemic sclerosis patients, findings that also provide additional clues to the pathogenesis of the disease... Liu X, et al. PloS Med. 2005;2:e354
Friday Oct 14, 2005
New Risk Factors Linked to Pathogenesis of Giant Cell Arteritis
Early menopause, low body mass index, and smoking all increase the risk of developing giant cell arteritis.... Larsson K, et al. Ann Rheum Dis [serial online]. August 26, 2005.
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.
Monday Sep 26, 2005
Osiris's Allogeneic Bone Matrix–Containing Stem Cells to Be Distributed by Blackstone Medical
Osiris Therapeutics, Inc, of Baltimore, Maryland, a leader in adult stem-cell therapies that prevent and treat orthopaedic disorders, has signed an agreement...
Sunday Sep 25, 2005
C-Reactive Protein May Help Predict Fracture Risk
A new study provides evidence that circulating levels of C-reactive protein may independently predict fracture risk in postmenopausal women... Presented at: 27th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research; September 23-25, 2005; Nashville, Tennessee.
Tuesday Sep 20, 2005
Link Between Genetic Factors and Osteoporotic Fractures in the Elderly
The predisposition for osteoporotic fractures is stronger than has been previously estimated, especially for early occurring fractures. A search for genes and gene-environmental interactions that affect early osteoporotic fracture risk is likely to be beneficial, but fracture-prevention should be focused on lifestyle habits...Michaëlsson K, et al. Arch Intern Med. 2005;165:1825-1830.
Tuesday Sep 13, 2005
Two New Treatments Show Promise in Paget's Disease
Zoledronic acid and osteoprotegerin found to be promising new therapies for the management of Paget's disease... Reid IR, et al. N Engl J Med. 2005;353:898-908; Cundy MD, et al. N Engl J Med. 2005;353:918-923.
Tuesday Sep 13, 2005
Low-Dose Aspirin May Protect Against Cardiac Hypertrophy and Cardiac Fibrosis in Coxib Users
New murine studies suggest that low-dose aspirin may mitigate the cardiovascular damage known to arise from use of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors... Francois H, et al. Cell Metabolism. 2005;2:201-207.
Monday Aug 29, 2005
Research Clarifies Mechanisms of Self-Tolerance by Natural Killer Cells
New murine research depicting how natural killer cells mature in a healthy immune system may yield clues as to what goes awry in autoimmune disorders. Kim S, et al. Nature. 2005;436:709-713
Monday Aug 08, 2005
Velcura Receives $1.3 Million SBIR Grant for New Osteoporosis Drugs
Velcura Therapeutics®, Inc, a biotechnology company focused on developing drugs for bone diseases, received a $1.3 million Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institute on Aging, of the National Institutes of Health, to use proteomics-based drug discovery in human osteoblasts to identify bone disease biomarkers and targets, and develop new drugs that stimulate bone formation.
Wednesday Jun 22, 2005
Phytomedics In-Licenses Anti-Inflammatory Sesquiterpene Lactones
Phytomedics Inc, a Dayton, New Jersey-based developer of novel botanical therapeutics, announced that it has acquired exclusive US licensing rights from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge for an invention pertaining to sesquiterpene (terpene compounds with 15 carbon atoms) lactones (a cyclic ester) and sesquiterpene lactone-containing plant extracts for the treatment of severe inflammatory disorders such as psoriasis, pemphigus vulgaris, sepsis, and postreperfusion injury.
Friday Jun 10, 2005
Experts Discuss the Interaction Between Environmental and Genetic Risk for RA
A noted epidemiologist and rheumatologist review the multifactorial interplay between the unmodifiable genetic component of the disease and environmental risk factors that account for approximately 50% of RA incidence, and suggest that certain lifestyle modifications may lower RA risk...Presented at: Annual European Congress of Rheumatology of EULAR; June 8-11, 2005; Vienna, Austria.
Wednesday Jun 01, 2005
More Evidence for the 'FitzGerald Hypothesis' on the Relationship of Coxibs and Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Vascular remodeling may interact with a predisposition to hypertension and atherosclerosis, contributing to the gradual increase in cardiovascular risk during extended periods of treatment with COX-2 inhibitors...Rudic RD, et al. Circ Res. Published online May 19, 2005.
Tuesday May 17, 2005
Corgentech's Inhibitor of NF-kB Reduces Inflammatory Response in Preclinical Model
Corgentech Inc. reported that NF-KappaB Decoy (NF-kB Decoy), a DNA-based drug candidate, has shown activity in preclinical models against atopic dermatitis, as measured by the reduced recruitment and proliferation of proinflammatory cells, and by the induction of apoptosis in cells related to inflammation.
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.
Wednesday May 11, 2005
New Genetic Variant May Increase Risk of Inflammatory Disease
A recently identified polymorphism results in differential HLA molecule expression and is associated with susceptibility to common diseases with inflammatory components...Swanberg M, et al. Nat Genet. 2005;37:486-494.
Wednesday May 04, 2005
ParAllele BioScience Collaborates on Large-scale Genetic Studies in Lupus
ParAllele BioScience Inc. will partner with Chaim Oscar Jacob, MD, associate professor at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, to discover genes associated with childhood-onset lupus. The collaboration combines ParAllele's Immune-Inflammation Panel, which comprises approximately 8,000 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from over 1,000 candidate genes related to the genetics of immunity and inflammation, with a large cohort of annotated specimens collected by Dr. Jacob from patients affected by lupus and their family members. - Nicholas K. Zittell
Thursday Apr 21, 2005
Novel PAR-2 Antagonists Developed for Inflammatory Disease and Cancer
Preclinical studies conducted by EntreMed, Inc, indicate that its proteinase activated receptor (PAR-2) antagonists not only inhibit tumor growth and the formation of new blood vessels in animal models, but also block inflammation in preclinical rheumatoid arthritis and in models of acute inflammation. The new data were presented at the American Association for Cancer Research annual meeting in Anaheim, California.
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]
Friday Apr 15, 2005
Small Interfering RNA Suppresses Inflammation in Mouse Model of Arthritis
Local administratipon of TNF-α-directed siRNA inhibits collagen-induced arthritis in mice, suggesting a potential treatment strategy for RA...Schiffelers, RM. Arthritis Rheum. 2005;52:1314-1318.
Friday Apr 08, 2005
Thalidomide May Play a Role in Treatment of Refractory Radiculopathic Pain
Banned from use in the 1960s due to its teratogenic effects, thalidomide is being reexamined as a treatment for inflammatory and other types of disorders... Presented at the 24th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Pain Society; March 30-April 2, 2005; Boston, Massachusetts
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.
Friday Mar 25, 2005
Genetic Variation Helps Predict Response to Etanercept in Rheumatoid Arthritis
As the FDA takes action to speed the clinical application of pharmacogenetics, the possibility of personalized medicine for RA patients got a boost from a new study showing that a polymorphism in TNF-α affects the response to etanercept therapy...Kang CP, et al. Rheumatology. 2005;44:547-552.
Sunday Mar 20, 2005
Canada's NRC Funds ChondroGene to Support Development of OA Test
ChondroGene Limited of Toronto, Canada, has received financial support from the Canadian National Research Council's Industrial Research Assistance Program to further develop a blood-based test to stage osteoarthritis (OA) and to detect early, asymptomatic disease.
Wednesday Mar 09, 2005
Development of Antibodies Targeting Interferon-± and the Type I Interferon Receptor 1 Underway
The type I interferon system has been implicated in the development and maintenance of abnormal autoimmune responses.
Monday Jan 31, 2005
Genetic Discovery May Lead to New Lupus Treatments
Two newly discovered genes may help lupus researchers crack the interferon code, leading to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of SLE and to novel drug targets... Sigurdsson S, et al. Am J Hum Genet. 2005;18:76-79.
Tuesday Dec 14, 2004
Comparative Trial Analyzes MI Risk Associated With Rofecoxib and Celecoxib
A new study that examines histories of analgesic use in recent MI patients revealed a significant difference in the levels of risk for MI associated with rofecoxib and celecoxib. The study concludes that this is due not to an increase in risk associated with rofecoxib, but rather to a significant decrease in risk in patients using celecoxib&Kimmel SE, et al. Ann Intern Med. 2005;142(3).
Thursday Nov 04, 2004
TNF-α Blocker Etanercept Reduces Daytime Sleepiness in Patients with Sleep Apnea
Pilot trial is reportedly the first to demonstrate that neutralizing tumor necrosis factor-α activity is associated with a significant reduction of daytime somnolence in obese patients with sleep apnea... Vgontzas AN, et al. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004;89:4409-4413
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.
Thursday Oct 21, 2004
Researchers Outline Genetic and Environmental Triggers for Virulent Ankylosing Spondylitis
Genetic predisposition and a physically demanding job affect extent of disability that will accompany the inflammatory disease... Ward MM, et al. Presented at: Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology; October 20, 2004; San Antonio, Tex.
Thursday Oct 21, 2004
State-of-the-Art Lectures Reflect Pioneering Research in Rheumatology in the Past Year
The speakers highlighted new research in basic science, including genetic mechanisms at work in RA, and in clinical studies that further understanding of the efficacy of various therapeutic strategies…Barton A, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2004.;50:1117-1121; Edwards JC, et al. N Engl J Med. 2004;350:2572-2581.
Wednesday Oct 20, 2004
Awards Given to Key Investigators for Clinical Research; Community and Professional Service
The second awards session reflected the diversity of contributions rheumatologists make in scientific research and in their communities.
Monday Oct 18, 2004
Identical Twins Have 5 Times the Risk of Joint Replacement Surgery If Their Twin Has the Procedure
Swedish researchers discover a genetic link for osteoarthritis risk, especially among identical twins, adding to previous findings that did not distinguish between heredity and shared family environment... Lohmander S, Johnell O, Pedersen NL. Poster presented at: Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology; October 18, 2004; San Antonio, Texas . . Abstract 228.
Monday Oct 18, 2004
Genomics Research Pioneer Foresees Breakthroughs, Challenges in Gene-Targeted Therapy
The Director of the Human Genome Research Institute urges rheumatology researchers to take advantage of new technology to identify genes involved in inflammatory autoimmune diseases…
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.
Monday Aug 30, 2004
SLE Researchers Encouraged to Use Biomarkers, Surrogate Markers as Study Endpoints; New Research Shows B-Cell Depletion to Have Role in SLE Therapy
(Schiffenbauer J, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2004;50:2415-2422; Looney RJ, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2004;50:2580-2589.)
Monday Aug 30, 2004
Studies Point to Genetic Susceptibility for Knee Osteoarthritis
(Neame RL, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2004;63:1022-1027; Valdes AM, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2004;50:2497-2507.)
Friday Aug 27, 2004
Elevated CRP Before Onset of RA
Patients with RA have elevated CRP levels several years before the onset of symptoms, as seen in blood samples drawn when they were blood donors. (Nielen MM, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2004;50:2423-2427.)
Wednesday Aug 25, 2004
Eighth International Scleroderma Meeting Reflects Increased Interest
Research on etiology and potential therapeutic targets were highlights of the Eighth International Workshop on Scleroderma Research.
Wednesday Jun 09, 2004
Genome-wide Approaches Shed New Light on the Genetic Control of Arthritis
This session, on the opening day of EULAR 2004, revealed insight into the genetic control of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
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