Arthritis & Rheumatology News and Research

Latest Arthritis & Rheumatology News and Research

Study implicates cytokine molecule IL-17 in low back pain associated with herniated discs

An immune cell known to cause chronic inflammation in autoimmune disorders has been identified as a possible culprit in low back pain associated with herniated discs, according to doctors at Duke University Medical Center.

29 Jun 2010

Avila's AVL-292 demonstrates disease-modifying effects in prophylactic, therapeutic models of rheumatoid arthritis

Avila Therapeutics™, Inc., a biotechnology company developing targeted covalent drugs that treat diseases through protein silencing, today announced results of preclinical studies demonstrating that its clinical candidate, AVL-292, potently inhibits B cell receptor signaling, and demonstrates efficacy in a rodent model of rheumatoid arthritis. These new data were presented Saturday, June 26, 2010 at the Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies (FOCIS) 2010 annual meeting in Boston, MA.

29 Jun 2010

ITMTX treatment effective in late stages/progressive forms of MS: Study

The Multiple Sclerosis Research Center of New York (MSRCNY), together with the International Multiple Sclerosis Management Practice (IMSMP), today announced that results from its Intrathecal Methotrexate Treatment in Multiple Sclerosis study have been published in this month's issue of Journal of Neurology. This study reports on the feasibility of using intrathecal methotrexate (ITMTX) in treatment unresponsive multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with progressive forms of the disease.

28 Jun 2010

Eisai, Morphotek receive clearance for MORAb-022 Phase I clinical trial for rheumatoid arthritis

Eisai Inc. and Morphotek®, Inc. announced today that the Medical Ethical Review Committee and Central Committee on Research Involving Human Subjects of the Netherlands cleared its Clinical Trial Application to test the investigational new drug MORAb-022 in a Phase I clinical trial that will include both normal healthy volunteers and subjects diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.

28 Jun 2010

MorphoSys, Xencor sign worldwide exclusive license, collaboration agreement for XmAb5574 antibody program

MorphoSys AG and US-based biopharmaceutical company Xencor, Inc., announced today the signing of a worldwide exclusive license and collaboration agreement for an antibody in Phase 1 clinical development. The agreement provides MorphoSys with an exclusive worldwide license to XmAb5574, a high potency monoclonal antibody developed by Xencor for the treatment of B-cell malignancies.

28 Jun 2010

Cartilage loss plays a role in development of OA, study says

A recent study determined that bone area predicted the development of medial (inner side) and lateral (outer side) knee cartilage damage and loss of medial cartilage volume. Subchondral bone mineral density (BMD) was associated with medial defect development but not cartilage loss. Researchers believe subchondral bone changes and loss of cartilage contribute to the development of osteoarthritis (OA).

28 Jun 2010

ADVANCE study provides new insights into the management of SHPT in CKD patients

Results from the ADVANCE study presented in a late breaking clinical trial session at the ERA-EDTA 2010 Congress provide new insights into the management of secondary hyperparathyroidism in chronic kidney disease patients. ADVANCE (A randomiseD VAscular calcificatioN study to evaluate the effects of CinacalcEt) is a randomised, controlled open label study to evaluate the effects of treatment with Mimpara (cinacalcet) plus low-dose vitamin D, compared to flexible doses of vitamin D alone, on the progression of vascular and valvular calcification in dialysis patients with SHPT.

28 Jun 2010

Hospital for Special Surgery announces receipt of $5M commitment from CA Technologies

Hospital for Special Surgery announced the receipt of a $5 million commitment from CA Technologies, an IT management software and solutions company, at its 27th Annual Tribute Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria on June 21, 2010.

28 Jun 2010

New preclinical data of XOMA 052 in animal model of Type 2 diabetes to be presented at ADA 2010

XOMA Ltd., a leader in the discovery and development of therapeutic antibodies, will be presenting new preclinical data in an animal model of Type 2 diabetes in which its anti-inflammatory therapeutic antibody candidate, XOMA 052, was used as monotherapy and in combination with the marketed anti-diabetic drugs exendin-4 (Byetta) or sitagliptin (Januvia).

28 Jun 2010

Additional results from BLISS-76 Phase 3 trial of BENLYSTA presented at International Congress on SLE

Human Genome Sciences, Inc. today announced the presentation of additional results from BLISS-76, one of two pivotal Phase 3 trials of BENLYSTA (belimumab) in seropositive patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. The additional data will be presented in Vancouver at the 9th International Congress on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus on Friday and Saturday, June 25-26.

28 Jun 2010

Gilead Sciences signs definitive agreement to acquire CGI Pharmaceuticals

Gilead Sciences, Inc. and CGI Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately-held, development-stage pharmaceutical company focused on small molecule chemistry and kinase biology, today announced the signing of a definitive agreement pursuant to which Gilead will acquire CGI. Under the terms of the agreement, Gilead will acquire CGI for up to $120 million, the majority as an upfront payment and the remaining based on clinical development progress, all of which will be financed through available cash on hand.

25 Jun 2010

New method to synthesize drug candidates for testing

Some drugs may be more effective the longer they last inside the body. To prevent such drugs from being broken down too rapidly, pharmaceutical manufacturers often attach a fluorine-containing structure called a trifluoromethyl group. However, the processes now used require harsh reaction conditions or only work in a small number of cases, limiting their usefulness for synthesizing new drug candidates for testing.

25 Jun 2010

Researchers uncover association between free radical-mediated reactions and progression of SLE

University of Texas Medical Branch researchers have uncovered an association between free radical-mediated reactions and the severity and progression of system lupus erythematosus. Higher levels of oxidative and nitrosative stress markers were found in SLE patients with greater disease activity suggesting a causal relationship. Full findings of the study are available in the July issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, a journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the American College of Rheumatology.

25 Jun 2010

JZP-6 to be reviewed at joint meeting for treatment of fibromyalgia

Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Arthritis Advisory Committee and Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee will review JZP-6 (sodium oxybate) for the treatment of fibromyalgia at a joint meeting on August 20, 2010.

25 Jun 2010

Cardio-respiratory aerobic exercise reduces joint pain in RA patients

Researchers from the University of Grenoble Medical School in France determined that cardio-respiratory aerobic exercise is safe for patients with stable rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

25 Jun 2010

Nektar commences dosing in Phase 1 study of NKTR-102 in combination with 5-FU/leucovorin

Nektar Therapeutics announced today that the first patients have been dosed in a new Phase 1 dose-escalation clinical study to evaluate NKTR-102, the company's lead oncology compound, in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)/leucovorin in refractory solid tumor cancers. The study is being conducted at University Hospitals Case Medical Center of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center in Cleveland, Ohio.

24 Jun 2010

Merck's DULERA Inhalation Aerosol for asthma receives FDA approval

Merck today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved DULERA® (mometasone furoate and formoterol fumarate dihydrate) Inhalation Aerosol, a new fixed-dose combination asthma treatment for patients 12 years of age and older. DULERA is not indicated for the relief of acute bronchospasm. DULERA combines an inhaled corticosteroid (mometasone furoate) with a long-acting beta2-agonist (formoterol fumarate).

24 Jun 2010

June issue of Clinic Women's HealthSource provides overview of anemia

Anemia is not a normal part of aging, yet it's fairly common in older adults and causes frailness, weakness and increased risk of falls. According to Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource, more than one in 10 older adults has anemia. Twenty percent of women are anemic by age 85.

24 Jun 2010

Ways to manage hammertoe pain

The pain from hammertoe, a deformity that can cause one or more toes to assume a claw shape, can curtail an evening of dancing or make a favorite pair of shoes unwearable. But, according to the June issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter, this condition often can be managed by proper footwear or simple toe coverings.

24 Jun 2010

DMARDs should be used early and aggressively at the first sign of RA: Researchers

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs should be used early and aggressively at the first sign of rheumatoid arthritis. The results of an 11-year trial, published in BioMed Central's open access journal Arthritis Research & Therapy, demonstrate that active treatment from the very beginning pays off, even in the long run.

24 Jun 2010

Arthritis & Rheumatology News and Research

Latest Arthritis & Rheumatology News and Research

Study implicates cytokine molecule IL-17 in low back pain associated with herniated discs

Avila's AVL-292 demonstrates disease-modifying effects in prophylactic, therapeutic models of rheumatoid arthritis

ITMTX treatment effective in late stages/progressive forms of MS: Study

Eisai, Morphotek receive clearance for MORAb-022 Phase I clinical trial for rheumatoid arthritis

MorphoSys, Xencor sign worldwide exclusive license, collaboration agreement for XmAb5574 antibody program

Cartilage loss plays a role in development of OA, study says

ADVANCE study provides new insights into the management of SHPT in CKD patients

Hospital for Special Surgery announces receipt of $5M commitment from CA Technologies

New preclinical data of XOMA 052 in animal model of Type 2 diabetes to be presented at ADA 2010

Additional results from BLISS-76 Phase 3 trial of BENLYSTA presented at International Congress on SLE

Gilead Sciences signs definitive agreement to acquire CGI Pharmaceuticals

New method to synthesize drug candidates for testing

Researchers uncover association between free radical-mediated reactions and progression of SLE

JZP-6 to be reviewed at joint meeting for treatment of fibromyalgia

Cardio-respiratory aerobic exercise reduces joint pain in RA patients

Nektar commences dosing in Phase 1 study of NKTR-102 in combination with 5-FU/leucovorin

Merck's DULERA Inhalation Aerosol for asthma receives FDA approval

June issue of Clinic Women's HealthSource provides overview of anemia

Ways to manage hammertoe pain

DMARDs should be used early and aggressively at the first sign of RA: Researchers

Small solutions for big problems in drug discovery and delivery

Professor Nancy Ip: Pioneering New Paths in Neurodegenerative Therapy

Utilizing process Raman in optimizing cultivated meat production

Arthritis & Rheumatology News and Research

Latest Arthritis & Rheumatology News and Research

Small solutions for big problems in drug discovery and delivery

Professor Nancy Ip: Pioneering New Paths in Neurodegenerative Therapy

Utilizing process Raman in optimizing cultivated meat production

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