Researchers Identify Disease Mechanism Underlying Rheumatoid Arthritis

Main Category: Arthritis / Rheumatology
Article Date: 04 Sep 2004 - 0:00 PDT

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Investigators at LA BioMed have identified a novel disease mechanism underlying rheumatoid arthritis that may open the door to new therapies for this and other debilitating autoimmune disorders.

In an article appearing in the September 1 issue of the Journal of Immunology, principal investigator Terry J. Smith, MD describes research that identifies an interaction between antibodies found in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and the insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R) as a cause of inflammation and lymphocyte infiltration.

According to Dr. Smith, "It is possible that these findings will allow us for the first time to interrupt the disease process before any lasting damage occurs."

Rheumatoid arthritis is one of several autoimmune disorders in which cellular defense mechanisms identify the body's own tissues as foreign and seek to destroy them. Other autoimmune disorders include such ailments as Graves' disease, multiple sclerosis and lupus. This research suggests that there could be a common therapeutic strategy for these conditions.

To speak to Dr. Smith, contact David Feuerherd at df@issuesmanagement.com.

Contact: David Feuerherd
df@issuesmanagement.com
310-215-0234
Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (LA BioMed)

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