IL-6 Inhibitor Kevzara Granted FDA Approval for Rheumatoid Arthritis
The FDA has approved sarilumab (Kevzara), a new IL-6 inhibitor co-developed by Regeneron and Sanofi's, for use in adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
News
Anti-Sclerostin Drug Hampered by Heart Problems
Reuters reports that FDA approval of romosozumab (brand name Evenity) may be held up because of higher rates of cardiac events seen in a late-stage clinical trial.
The RheumNow Week in Review – 17 May 2017
Dr. Jack Cush reviews highlights and updates from the past week on RheumNow.com:
Non-Prescribed Opioid Abuse by Young Adults
Journal of Addiction Medicine reported that young adults often are "self-medicated" to manage pain.
Inflammatory Arthritis Stable after Switch to Biosimilar Infliximab
The DANBIO registrys has demonstrated that switching from infliximab (Remicade) to biosimilar CT-P13 (Inflectra in the U.S., Remsima in Europe) does not appear to have any negative effect on inflammatory arthritis disease activity, Danish researchers reported.
Educational Intervention Facilitates Treat-to-Target Management in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Treat-to-target education through group-based quality improvement sessions can result in wider use of treat-to-target in practice, according to researchers.
NOR-SWITCH Study Validates Biosimilar Use in Multiple Indications
Lancet reports the results of the NOR-SWITCH study - a trial performed in Norway as biosimilars were being introduced.
Steroid Injections for Knee Osteoarthritis May Promote Cartilage Loss
Treatment of knee osteoarthritis (with synovitis) with an injection of a corticosteroid every three months over two years resulted in significantly greater cartilage volume loss and no significant difference in knee pain compared to patients who received a placebo injection, according to a study
No Arthroscopy Needed for Degenerative Knees and Meniscal Tears
The British Medical Journal has published a clinical practice guideline for the use of arthroscopic surgery for degenerative knee arthritis and meniscal tears, suggesting that many patients will not benefit from such surgery.
Rituximab May Benefit Rheumatoid Lung
A retrospective study shows that rituximab treatment of RA-related interstitial lung disease may improve or forestall ILD progression.
The RheumNow Week in Review – 12 May 2017
Dr. Jack Cush highlights the big stories, news and articles from this week at RheumNow.com.
Adalimumab Effective in Pediatric Plaque Psoriasis
Adalimumab is currently FDA approved for use in adult psoriasis, pediatric Crohn's disease and polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The current Lancet trial assesses the efficacy and safety of adalimumab in children and adolescents with severe plaque psoriasis.
NSAIDs Increase Risk of Acute Myocardial Infarction
Using data from Canadian and European healthcare databases, the BMJ has reported that all NSAIDs, including celecoxib and naproxen, increase the risk of acute myocardial infarction.
One-Third of FDA Approvals Need Post-Marketing Safety Changes
One-third of newly approved drugs in the next decade will require new safety warnings based on pharmacovigilance, according to a new study in JAMA. (Citation Source: http://buff.ly/2r3dYUs)
High Mortality with ANCA Associated Vasculitis
Mortality remains high in patients with the types of vasculitis that are associated with the presence of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), a meta-analysis in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases determined.