It’s estimated that a majority of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been exposed to biologic treatments. However, the randomized controlled trials demonstrating the safety and efficacy of these biologic agents have strict participant eligibility requirements. New research has examined the requirements of 30 trials for biologics and applied those standards to two large clinical cohorts. The result: A majority of these RA patients did not satisfy the criteria…
New Research into Rheumatoid Arthritis, Gout Includes Updates on Methotrexate, Biologics, Ultrasound
LONDON—From optimizing responses to methotrexate, to the efficacy of biologics, to the need for imaging in assessing remission, the literature, as ever, has been lively with explorations of pressing topics in the treatment and management of rheumatoid arthritis. Josef Smolen, MD, chair of rheumatology at the Medical University of Vienna, reviewed many of the highlights…
Understanding Prescription Pathways for Biologic Medication Therapy
Executing evidence-based medicine in the U.S. is challenging, especially utilizing high-cost medications in rheumatologic care. As patients trust their clinicians to be their medical experts, clinicians must trust their care team members to be experts at implementing the care plan. A clinician’s knowledge of human anatomy and physiology is the foundation to understanding pathophysiology. From…
Rheumatology Drug Updates: Infliximab Biosimilar Cross Reacts to Infliximab Antibodies
Cross Reactions A recent study published online in March in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases investigated if the infliximab biosimilar (CT-P13, infliximab-dyyb), which is marketed in Europe as Inflectra and Remsima, can be safely and effectively substituted for infliximab (Remicade).1 Infliximab and its biosimilar are manufactured via the same process. Researchers set out to…
Infliximab Biosimilar Cross Reacts to Infliximab Antibodies; Plus Treat-to-Target Strategy Promising for Treating RA with bDMARDs
In a recent study, 100% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on infliximab experienced a cross-reaction when switched to its biosimilar (CT-P13, infliximab-dyyb). Plus in a recent study, a treat-to-target strategy proved effective for treating RA with biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs…
Periodontal Infection May Determine Best Treatment for Patients with RA
Past research has indicated that a periodontal pathogen that produces the peptidularginine deiminase (PPAD) enzyme may affect levels of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody. A new study suggests serum anti-PPAD IgG titers might be a useful biomarker for designing a personalized treatment strategy for RA…
Arthritis Patients Lack Knowledge about Safe Use of Biologics
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Many patients with arthritis lack the knowledge to use their biologic treatments safely, researchers from France report. “Some patients are at risk of poorly managing their biologic therapy, especially patients living alone, in a large city, patients with low education level, or (patients who are) unemployed,” Dr. Anne-Christine Rat from CHU de…
Rheumatology Drug Updates: Etanercept for Pediatric Plaque Psoriasis
Etanercept Submitted for Chronic, Severe Plaque Psoriasis in Children The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the supplemental Biologics License Application for etanercept (Enbrel) for treating pediatric patients with chronic, severe plaque psoriasis.1 The application was submitted in early January 2016 and is based on results of a one-year Phase 3 study with…
Rheumatology Drug Updates: Infliximab Biosimilar Gets FDA Approval & More
April 5, 2016, marks a revolutionary day in the treatment of autoimmune diseases: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an infliximab (Remicade) biosimilar, known as Inflectra (infliximab-dyyb). Infliximab-dyyb, which is administered by intravenous infusion, is the first biosimilar drug approved to treat rheumatic disease in the U.S.1 Infliximab-dyyb has received approval for almost…
Triple Therapy with Methotrexate Effective, Cheaper in RA
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—The combination of methotrexate, sulphasalazine and hydroxychloroquine is similar in effect as methotrexate plus biologic therapy for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to a new network meta-analysis. “Thus, for most patients, this low-cost combination of medications should probably be tried before moving onto biologic therapy, either as initial treatment or as…
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