American College Of Rheumatology 2008 Annual Meeting Highlights

Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients do Worse After a Heart Attack Following a heart attack, people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) suffer greater heart-related complications, including an increased risk for dying, when compared to other heart attack patients, according to research presented at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in San Francisco.

Increasing Incidence Of Rheumatoid Arthritis In Women

After four decades on the decline, rheumatoid arthritis is on the upswing among women in the United States. That's the finding presented by Mayo Clinic investigators at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals in San Francisco. "This is a significant finding and an indicator that more research needs to be done to better understand the causes and treatment of this devastating disease," says Sherine Gabriel, M.D.

Psoriatic Arthritis: First International Guidelines For Treatment

Rheumatologists, dermatologists, and patient advocates have come together to publish the first-ever international guidelines for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis, a disease that mainly affects people who have psoriasis but also some people without it. The guidelines by the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) were presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology. The group was headed by Christopher Ritchlin, M.

Pfizer To Present Data On New Approaches To Pain And Inflammation Treatment At ACR Meeting

Pfizer will present data on three investigational compounds that represent potential new mechanisms for targeting pain and inflammation. These data will highlight tanezumab, a molecule designed to target nerve growth factor, a key pain mediator; CP-690,550, a JAK-inhibitor that suppresses immune-related inflammatory response; and esreboxetine, a highly-selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor which plays a role in controlling the activity of this important neurotransmitter.

Study Shows ENBREL(R) (etanercept) More Effective Than A DMARD In The Treatment Of Symptoms Of Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients

New safety and efficacy data for active ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients treated with ENBREL(R) (etanercept) were presented at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Scientific Meeting, 24-29 October, in San Francisco, CA: (1),(2) - As discussed in an oral pr

Traditional Cardiovascular Risk Factors Increase, Treatments Reduce Heart Attack Risk In People With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Age, sex and traditional risk factors - such as hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and body mass - are more important predictors of heart attack in patients with rheumatoid arthritis than the use of certain medications that have been considered the link between the two and lipid-lowering medications may actually reduce this risk, according to research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in San Francisco, Calif.

Rheumatoid Arthritis On The Rise Among American Women

Scientists presenting findings of their research at a conference in the United States at the weekend said they found evidence that after four decades of decline, rheumatoid arthritis was on the rise among American women.

Tociluzumab Quick And Effective For Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

An international trial found that the new drug tociluzumab, when given in combination with methotrexate, was fast, effective and reasonably tolerated compared to placebo in treating patients with rheumatoid arthritis that had not responded to TNF therapy.

One-Year Data Show Golimumab Improved Signs And Symptoms In Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis In Phase 3 Study

More than half of patients receiving every four week subcutaneous injections of golimumab (CNTO 148) 50 mg and 100 mg, an investigational therapy, experienced sustained improvements in the joint and skin symptoms of active psoriatic arthritis through six months with results sustained through one year.

CIMZIA(R) (Certolizumab Pegol) Provides Rapid And Sustained Relief From Signs And Symptoms Of Rheumatoid Arthritis For Two Years

UCB announced results from several Phase III clinical trials evaluating CIMZIA(R) (certolizumab pegol) - the only PEGylated anti-TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor) - presented at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Annual Scientific Meeting.

ACTEMRA (R) (tocilizumab) Significantly Reduced Signs And Symptoms Of Rheumatoid Arthritis In Patients Who Failed Prior Treatments

Data from two Phase III studies showed that patients who suffer from the debilitating and painful effects of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) achieved significant improvements in signs and symptoms when treated with ACTEMRA(R) (tocilizumab) alone or in combination with methotrexate compared with methotrexate alone.

Golimumab Phase 3 Data Show Significant Improvement In Physical Function In Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Results from two Phase 3 studies showed that patients receiving every four week subcutaneous injections of golimumab (CNTO 148) 50 mg or 100 mg, an investigational therapy, experienced significant improvements in physical function, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and fatigue.

ACZ885 Phase III Data Show Rapid, Sustained Clinical Remission In Children And Adults Suffering From A Group Of Rare Autoinflammatory Diseases

New Phase III data demonstrate that ACZ885 (canakinumab), a biological drug in development, achieved rapid and long-lasting clinical remission after just one dose in children and adults with a group of rare but potentially life-threatening autoinflammatory diseases called Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS)1. Due to the long duration of response, patients only needed further treatment every two months1.

Clinical Remission Figures Double For People With Rheumatoid Arthritis Following Multiple Courses Of MabThera (rituximab)

Results of the REFLEX study1 show that the number of people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) achieving clinical remission from their disease doubled over three successive treatment courses with MabThera (rituximab) when used in combination with methotrexate (from 8.8% achieving clinical remission* after the first course to 17.6% after the third course).

Data Demonstrate ORENCIA(R) (abatacept) Improves Health-Related Quality Of Life, Pain And Sleep Quality In Children With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) today announced at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Annual Scientific Meeting in San Francisco results from a 10-month study which showed that ORENCIA^ (abatacept), compared to placebo, significantly improved multiple aspects of health-related quality of life (HRQoL): physical and psychosocial well being, pain and sleep quality in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients between the ages 6 and 17 years.

More Patients With Early Erosive Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated With ORENCIA(R) And Methotrexate Achieved DAS28 (CRP)-Defined Remission Versus MTX Alone

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) today announced results from a Phase IIIb study in adult patients with early moderate-to-severe erosive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who had never received previous methotrexate (MTX) treatment. This study showed that ORENCIA^ (abatacept) in combination with MTX had significantly more patients achieve a Disease Activity Score 28 using C-reactive protein [DAS28 (CRP)]-defined remission, compared with MTX plus placebo (PBO) (41.4 percent versus 23.

University Of Kentucky Launches Clinical Outcomes-Based Educational Initiative To Reinforce Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Standards Of Care

The University of Kentucky Pharmacy and Medicine Continuing Education Office (UKPMCE) announced today the launch of the Rheumatoid Arthritis Educational Challenge (RAEC), which will address deficits in the treatment of rheumatic diseases, particularly rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Better Interaction And Education Between Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients And Care Providers Needed, New Study Indicates

UCB announced today findings from large-scale rheumatoid arthritis (RA) surveys collectively called the DESIGN study that showed patients rating themselves as having substantially less knowledge of RA therapies than their physicians and nurses believed. The survey also showed disagreement between physicians and nurses over who should be charged with patient education, as well a high level of patient dissatisfaction with the level of pain they suffer from RA.

New Study Demonstrated ACTEMRA(R) (tocilizumab) Inhibited Progression Of Joint Damage In Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

One-year data from a two-year Phase III study demonstrated that ACTEMRA(R) (tocilizumab) significantly inhibited the progression of structural joint damage in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Late-breaking results from the LITHE study will be featured as an oral presentation during the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Annual Scientific Meeting (October 24-28) in San Francisco.

Higher Risk Of Arthritis Later In Life For Those With Infections During Infancy

Swedish researchers report in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases that there is an increase in the risk of developing arthritis in early adulthood if a child has a serious infection during the first year of his or her life. Cecilia Carlens (Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital and Institute, Stockholm, Sweden) and colleagues studied data from national registers on over 3,500 people born between 1973 and 2002.

Seattle Genetics Presents Data On SGN-70, A Humanized Monoclonal Antibody Targeting CD70

Seattle Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SGEN) today presented preclinical data on SGN-70 at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Annual Scientific Meeting in San Francisco, California. SGN-70 is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting CD70 that is in development as a novel therapy for autoimmune diseases. Seattle Genetics is currently conducting a phase I trial to assess the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of SGN-70 in healthy volunteers.

Antimalarial Drug Prevents Diabetes In Arthritis Patients

The use of an antimalarial medication may prevent the onset of diabetes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, new Geisinger research shows. Researchers examined the records of 2,093 Geisinger patients who received treatment for rheumatoid arthritis from 2000 to 2008. The study looked at, among other things, use of the medication hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and the development of new cases of diabetes in these patients.

Coping With Aches And Pains, From The Mayo Clinic

Contrary to popular belief, aches and pains are not a typical part of aging. Age alone does not mean a person automatically experiences aches and pains. Pain can be a red flag that points to a disease, illness or injury. Any pain that interferes with the activities of daily life is worthy of attention. MayoClinic.com highlights a number of conditions that can cause major aches and pains as a person ages, and offers information on diagnosis, treatment, self-care and coping.

Rituxan Data In Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis To Be Presented At The American College Of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting

Genentech, Inc. (NYSE: DNA) and Biogen Idec, Inc. (Nasdaq: BIIB) announced that Rituxan^: (rituximab) data including results from Phase II and III studies of Rituxan in patients with moderately-to-severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) will be featured in two podium presentations and eight poster presentations at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Annual Scientific Meeting in San Francisco this week.

Cimzia(R) Study Shows Rapid Reduction Of Symptoms And Inhibition Of Joint Damage Progression In RA

UCB announced today the online publication of pivotal study results showing CIMZIA^ (certolizumab pegol), the only PEGylated anti-TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor) together with methotrexate (MTX) rapidly reduced symptoms of disease and inhibited progression of joint damage in adult patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with sustained results for up to one year.