Search results for: biosimilars

Researchers Find Rheumatologists Are Prescribing Methotrexate Less Often to Treat RA

Richard Quinn | December 8, 2015

An analysis by former ACR President James O’Dell, MD, and colleagues shows that rheumatologists may be moving too quickly from methotrexate therapy to biologics when treating patients with RA…

Gene Expression Markers in T Cells Help Identify SLE Patient Subtypes

Lara C. Pullen, PhD | December 7, 2015

Researchers used T cell transcriptome analysis in a small-scale study, identifying gene expression of specific patient subtypes and finding that expression alteration of T cells may correlate with severity of SLE rather than its presentation…

Amgen Files for U.S. Approval of Biosimilar

Bill Berkrot | November 29, 2015

(Reuters)—Amgen Inc. on Wednesday said it filed with U.S. health regulators seeking approval to sell its first biosimilar drug, which would be a less expensive alternative to AbbVie’s Humira (adalimumab), the world’s top-selling prescription medicine. Amgen said its drug, ABP 501, has demonstrated clinical equivalence and comparable safety to Humira in late stage clinical trials…

Advocate for Rheumatology with the ACR

From the College | November 18, 2015

Your voice is an essential part of the ACR’s advocacy efforts, and our new Legislative Action Center makes contacting your legislator easier than ever before…

Dr. St.Clair Reflects on Progress in Rheumatology

E. William St.Clair, MD | November 17, 2015

As a practicing rheumatologist, I have experienced the increasing payer and government involvement shaping our evolving healthcare system. New payment models, changes in health insurance coverage, the federal mandate for the adoption of electronic health records and the implementation of ICD-10 are recent changes that have rocked our world. Our patients are also paying the…

Methotrexate Increases Risk of Recurrent Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer

Will Boggs, MD | November 4, 2015

NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Methotrexate appears to increase the risk of recurrent nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to a retrospective study. “We have known for some time that several of the immunosuppressive agents used to treat RA and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are also associated with an increased risk of…

German Registry Evaluates Systemic Psoriasis Treatments

Michele B. Kaufman, PharmD, BCGP | November 4, 2015

The German Psoriasis Registry, PsoBest, found conventional systemic and biologic drugs for psoriasis demonstrated relative safety from serious adverse events in patients between January 2008–December 2012…

ACR 2015: Events to Attend at 2015 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting

From the College | October 14, 2015

Mark Your Calendars The 2015 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting in San Francisco is just around the corner, and it’s time to start planning for what is sure to be a busy week! Below are a few events hosted by the government affairs team you don’t want to miss. Legislative Update Sunday, Nov. 8, 9:00–10:00 a.m. In…

Phase 3 Trials: Secukinumab for Psoriatic Arthritis & DA-DKP for OA

Michele B. Kaufman, PharmD, BCGP | October 14, 2015

In a global Phase 3 trial, subcutaneous secukinumab proved safe and effective in patients with psoriatic arthritis. Also, a version of aspartyl-alanyl diketopiperazine, a biologic for knee OA, has entered Phase 3 trials…

Novartis Biosimilar Takes Aim at Amgen’s Enbrel

Michael Shields & Ben Hirschler | October 2, 2015

ZURICH (Reuters)—The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has accepted Novartis unit Sandoz’s regulatory submission for approval of a biosimilar copy of Amgen’s blockbuster anti-TNF drug Enbrel, the Swiss drugmaker said on Friday. Enbrel, or etanercept as the drug is known generically, is a big prize since it was the world’s fifth-biggest selling medicine in 2014…