NLRP3 Activation in Still's Disease
Adult-onset Still disease (AOSD) is usually regarded as an autoinflammatory disease, largely because of its symptomatology and responsiveness to IL-1 inhibition.
News
Anti-IL-5 Success in Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis
The NEJM reports success when using mepolizumab (anti-IL-5 monoclonal antibody) in a 52 week study of patients with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA).
Actemra - First FDA Approved Drug for Giant Cell Arteritis
The FDA has approved subcutaneous tocilizumab for use in Giant Cell Arteritis based on the phase III GiACTA study that demonstrated that TCZ with steroids was superior to steroid therapy alone.
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).
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.
