What's New for Rheumatoid Arthritis?

A new source of information about rheumatoid arthritis is an annual American College of Rheumatology meeting. This year's meeting was held in Atlanta, Georgia from November 7-11.

Some of the interesting findings of ion rheumatoid arthritis are shown below ...

One study describes the combination of etanercept (Enbrel) and methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis. The study showed that the progression of the disease is less common in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have not responded to methotrexate only if it continues at the same time biologics etanercept (Enbrel) has begun. After randomizing "151 patients with active RA on etanercept, 25 mg twice weekly plus methotrexate 6 mg to 8 mg / week, or etanercept alone, researchers have discovered the following ... Significant differences in joint erosion score (joint damage score) were seen after two years in combination etanercept plus methotrexate compared to etanercept alone. These results are reported Hideto Kameda, MD, of Keio University in Tokyo and his colleagues at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR ).

Another hot topic at the American College of Rheumatology meeting the test compound called JAK. JAK has attracted increasing interest as a drug target in rheumatoid arthritis, because it is central to the inflammatory response. It is an enzyme that serves as a director of sales release tumor necrosis factor and other cytokines (messenger proteins) that accelerate the inflammation in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. JAK weakness is that the enzyme which effects can be blocked by the oral, small molecule drugs.

There are three forms of JAK simply known as the JAK 1, JAK 2:03 a.m. strong. Pfizer is a strong inhibitor called tasocitinib. Earlier reports from the ACR meeting about the combination proved to be very effective as having an acceptable safety profile. Tasocitinib blocks JAK 1 and JAK3.

Tasocitinib be taken twice a day.

More JAK inhibitor, called INCB028050, Incyte is a product from the company. Incyte has partnered with Eli Lilly to manufacture and market this compound. Drugs produced ACR20 response (at least 20% reduction of symptoms score) in 70% of patients after 24 weeks, ACR70 responses at almost 30% of patients, reported Maria Greenwald, MD, of Medical desert in Palm Desert, Calif.. INCB28050 selectively block the JAK1 and JAK2.

INCB28050 is taken once a day.

side effects of JAK drugs include elevations in both HDL and LDL cholesterol by 25%, depending on dosage.

Other side effects were seen in clinical trials with these drugs include increased respiratory infections, viral infections, including redness, drops in white blood cells, increasing the number of platelets, and mild abnormalities in both kidneys and liver.

On a more mundane note, drug, leflunomide (Arava) may be an acceptable alternative to methotrexate for use in combination with rituximab (Rituxan) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), who can not take methotrexate.

Katerina Chatzidionysou, MD, of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, reported a study showing these findings at the American College of Rheumatology meeting.

of a total of 29.1% of patients on leflunomide and rituximab had a good response to the six months mark. number of research studies have shown that B-cell targeting antibody drug, Rituxan, is beneficial in RA, and it is usually given in combination with methotrexate.

But the big question for doctors is how to deal with patients who have side effects with methotrexate.

Those of us who see a lot of rheumatoid arthritis patients find this information to be "old hat." However, patients with this disease should find some useful nuggets here.