just saw this in my local paper

mike77

Hi all ,

please read this: Arthritis drug trial offering new hope

By Claire Harrison
Tuesday, 16 June 2009


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Patients with early arthritis symptoms were offered fresh hope today after the promising results of a medical trial on a drug which could revolutionise treatment of the crippling condition in Northern Ireland.




Almost half the patients with early rheumatoid arthritis symptoms in a trial saw a significant improvement in their condition after a year of treatment with a cutting-edge drug called MabThera (rituximab).

The trial indicated that the so-called ‘smart drug' could stop the deterioration of the joints in people showing the first signs of the disease.

Researchers believe it should help to keep patients in employment and living independently for longer.

MabThera is already available on the NHS in Northern Ireland for thousands of patients severely affected by rheumatoid arthritis.

It is currently recommended for sufferers with advanced symptoms who fail to improve after first being given the most advanced treatment currently on the market, anti-TNF drugs. Around 30% of those on anti-TNF treatments may not respond to or cannot tolerate it.

But this latest trial offers hope for people suffering from the early stages of the condition.

The new research, which involved 755 patients, showed that for 30.5% of sufferers, their joint damage stopped after six months of taking MabThera in combination with methotrexate — the standard treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. This compared with 12.5% of those on methotrexate alone.

After 12 months, almost half the patients had improved, according to the study presented to the European League Against Rheumatism in Copenhagen.

However, for around one in five there was no significant improvement. It is not clear why the combination does not work in some patients.

Experts said the results showed the drug could have a “dramatic effect” in treating up to half of the UK's 500,000 rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. just saw it

what do you all think?

Mike R & hazel & Mike JR

northumbrian

Saw the same in the Times. A big decision to go onto these new generation drugs as a first line treatment rather than as a last resort. Certainly for those with very active and agressive arthritis it may be the way to go to prevent rapid and crippling damage, but a very big decision. I am on Humira and after 18 months, I still think it is the best thing to have happened to me for a long time.
TP

page35

Hi mike
always good to see new drugs and preventing joint damage has to be better than trying to replace it, but as northumbrian said a very big decision to try this when in early stage RA as i am, not sure how server mine is yet as only diagnosed 2 months ago but have it in most of my joints and am on here now as cant sleep cos off jaw pain. but not sure if i would try it now.
very interessing
how is hazel?
Page

mike77

page35 wrote:

Hi mike
always good to see new drugs and preventing joint damage has to be better than trying to replace it, but as northumbrian said a very big decision to try this when in early stage RA as i am, not sure how server mine is yet as only diagnosed 2 months ago but have it in most of my joints and am on here now as cant sleep cos off jaw pain. but not sure if i would try it now.
very interessing
how is hazel?
Page

hi Page, as you say its good that they have a drug to prevent drug damage, but as usal this is a big step to take, sorry to hear that you cant sleep. sounds awful to have jaw pain, i am worried about hazel as this Fibromaglay ( sorry about the spelling) it seems to be getting worse, hazel is going to tell her gp that the power in her right arm is near nil. i hate seeing her in pain.

thankyou for reading post and asking about Hazel,

Mike R &Hazel & MIKeJR

emmarose33

I'm really excited about it! I know it's a big step, but I am willing to try anything. . . nothing to loose.
I haven't lost too much mobility yet, and if a drug could 'hault' the desease then I would very very much welcome it, I have my life ahead of me. . . I don't really have time for this arthritis nonsense. lol.