At the American College of Rheumatology Congress, reassuring information was released on repeat treatment of rheumatoid arthritis by MabThera or Rituxan (rituxmab). Further improvement of quality of life was achieved by a second course of rituximab.

Professor Keystone, University of Toronto, Canada said, “With further analyses, we are able to evaluate just what MabThera can deliver with subsequent treatment courses for patients who have an inadequate response or intolerance to one or more TNF(Tumour Necrotic Factor) inhibitors. Patients are telling us they feel better and their quality of like has improved significantly. This is supported by clinical outcomes.”

156 patients who had poor response to Tumour Necrotic Factor inhibitors were given MabThera. The second course showed further improvement of rheumatoid activity and remission.

Rituximab is a monoclonal antiboby that specifically acts on B-cells. B-cells are important in the inflammatory process of rheumatoid arthritis.

Rituximab was approved by the FDA in 1997 for the treatment of B-cell non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Adverse effects were reported to be fever, nausea, headache, weakness and chills.

There has been reports of serious side effects on infusion treatment with this drug. The manufacturer, Genentech Inc. reported 70 cases of serious infusion reactions in 12,000 to 14,000 patients on rituximab.

Dr. Phil Hariram.

Arthritis Guide.

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Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis should benefit from the new range of drugs called Tumour Necrotic Factor Inhibitors (Anti-TNF).

Tests on three of these new drugs slowed progression and reduced symptoms by up to 50%.

Research at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria, has shown that these three drugs are most effective in combination with the standard treatment, methotrexate.

In their published article, the team said, “The emerging agents show that a new era has started in the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis.”  UK expert, Paul Emery said, “They are strikingly effective and they work  on different targets from the existing drugs. That’s the joy of it.”

The three drugs in the trial are MabThera (rituximab), Orenca (abatacept), and tocilizumab.

These drugs are, however, not cheap. It is estimated that it will add around £250 million to the NHS drug bill.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a debilitating joint disease and develops when the immune system attacks the joints causing destruction, stiffness and pain. It is estimated that there are about 400,000 rheumatoid arthritis patients in the UK.

Orenca was the first drug to target T cell in blood and tissue. Other Anti-TNF drugs are Enbrel (etanercept) and Remicade (inifliximab).

As these drugs affect the immune system, there is a higher risk of infections. They can cause headaches, fevers and increase blood cholesterol.

Ailsa BOSWORTH of the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society said, “It means that we have some choice, and that’s very important if you are 22 and facing a lifetime of the Disease.”

Dr. Phil Hariram.

Arthritis Treatment.

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