Copyright 2009 Medical News Today Latest Arthritis / Rheumatology News From Medical News Today. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/arthritis/ admin@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Admin) editors@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Editors) en-us Sat, 04 Jul 2009 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156425.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156425.php When left untreated, children infected with Lyme disease can experience many severe complications as a result including arthritis, problems with the heart or central nervous system. Lyme disease in children is often overlooked in its earliest stages, leading to these complications later on, according to Emma Jane MacDermott, M.D., pediatric rheumatologist at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. Arthritis / Rheumatology Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156219.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156219.php A UK survey of 575 rheumatoid arthritis sufferers highlights the importance of maintaining independence and the significant impact that early diagnosis and treatment can have. Over 94% of those surveyed claimed that their independence was compromised in some way, with over 60% saying it was compromised significantly. Arthritis / Rheumatology Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156188.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156188.php MorphoSys AG (FSE: MOR; Prime Standard Segment, TecDAX) and the University of Melbourne announced today an agreement to cooperate on investigating new therapeutic applications for MorphoSys's MOR103 program. MOR103, a HuCAL antibody against human GM-CSF (Granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor), is currently in development for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Arthritis / Rheumatology Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156136.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156136.php POZEN Inc. (NASDAQ:POZN), announced the submission of a New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the marketing approval of VIMOVO™ (PN 400), the combination of enteric coated (EC) naproxen and immediate release esomeprazole. POZEN and AstraZeneca entered into a global co-development agreement for VIMOVO in August 2006. Arthritis / Rheumatology Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156049.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156049.php Lyme disease in the U.S. is caused by the tick-borne bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi and usually begins with a skin lesion, after which the bacteria spread throughout the body to the nervous system, heart or joints. About 60 percent of untreated individuals develop arthritis, which affects the knees in particular. Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156050.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156050.php Treatment with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents is recognized as a risk factor for tuberculosis (TB) in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn's disease, psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis. Most TB cases develop as a result of reactivation of a latent TB infection, and health authorities worldwide recommend screening for latent TB and treating patients before initiating anti-TNF treatment. Tuberculosis Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156055.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156055.php Aclasta® (zoledronic acid 5 mg)[1] has been approved in the European Union to treat men and post-menopausal women with osteoporosis caused by the long-term use of glucocorticoids, commonly known as steroids. Bones / Orthopaedics Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155902.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155902.php A new computer model developed at MIT can help solve a problem that has plagued drug companies trying to develop promising new treatments made of antibodies: Such drugs have a relatively short shelf life because they tend to clump together, rendering them ineffective. Antibodies are the most rapidly growing class of human drugs, with the potential to treat cancer, arthritis and other chronic inflammatory and infectious diseases. Cancer / Oncology Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155890.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155890.php Scientists have discovered gene expression differences that could lead to better ways to classify, predict outcome, and treat juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Eventually such findings could enable doctors to target more aggressive treatment to children at risk of more severe arthritis, while those likely to have milder disease could be spared the stronger treatments that carry a greater risk of side effects. Arthritis / Rheumatology Mon, 29 Jun 2009 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155648.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155648.php A signal molecule made by the human body that triggers the immune system into action may be important in rheumatoid arthritis, according to new research published in Nature Medicine. The authors of the study, from Imperial College London, say that if scientists could block this signal, it may be possible to develop more effective arthritis treatments. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common autoimmune disease, affecting around 1 in 100 people. Arthritis / Rheumatology Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155601.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155601.php An article published Online First and in this week's edition of reports information about Golimumab, a new tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitor. It reduces the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in patients who have previously received any other TNF-α inhibitor. This drug might be a good alternative for patients who have inadequate responses to one or two other TNF-α inhibitors. Over three million people in Europe and about 1. Arthritis / Rheumatology Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155633.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155633.php A clinical trial of masitinib, a drug in development for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, has shown it to be well tolerated and effective. Researchers writing in BioMed Central's open access journal Arthritis Research and Therapy have shown that treatment with masitinib significantly reduced the severity of active arthritis. Arthritis / Rheumatology Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155509.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155509.php According to a new study from researchers at Duke University, total knee arthroplasty (TKA) procedures performed in older patients with osteoarthritis of the knee result in long-term, significant improvement of physical functioning and motor skills when compared to patients who do not receive TKA. Seniors / Aging Fri, 26 Jun 2009 07:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155521.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155521.php UCB announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has issued a positive opinion recommending that the European Commission grants a marketing authorisation for Cimzia® (certolizumab pegol), in combination with methotrexate (MTX), for the treatment of moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis in adult patients when the response to disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) including MTX, has been inadequate. Arthritis / Rheumatology Thu, 25 Jun 2009 05:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155328.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155328.php The Rheumatology Futures Project and the Department of Health have launched a new 18-week commissioning pathway for inflammatory arthritis (IA). Arthritis / Rheumatology Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155199.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155199.php MorphoSys AG (FSE: MOR; Prime Standard Segment, TecDAX) today announced that the Company has submitted an application for the authorization of a phase 1b/2a clinical study in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for its lead drug MOR103, a fully human HuCAL-derived monoclonal antibody directed against Granulocyte Macrophage-Colony Stimulating Factor. Arthritis / Rheumatology Tue, 23 Jun 2009 05:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154990.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154990.php Neovacs, a biotechnology company developing proprietary immunotherapeutics for autoimmune and chronic diseases, announced that subject to regulatory consent, it plans to initiate a Phase II study of its TNF-alpha Kinoid later this year in rheumatoid arthritis patients who have failed treatment with at least one TNF-alpha inhibitor. The decision to proceed with the trial was based on an initial review of encouraging data from the company's Phase I/II study in Crohn's disease. Arthritis / Rheumatology Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154404.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154404.php The health and physiological effects of an intervention which facilitates the opening of feelings are described in a paper published in the current issue of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics. The efficacy of emotional disclosure in alleviating psychological and physical stress has been well documented in controlled laboratory studies. A next step is to evaluate its clinical utility in 'real world' settings. Arthritis / Rheumatology Thu, 18 Jun 2009 03:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154386.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154386.php How molecules of the oldest branch of the human immune system have interconnected has remained a mystery. Now, two new structures, both involving a central component of an enzyme important to the complement system of the immune response, reveal how this system fights invading microbes while avoiding problems of the body attacking itself. Immune System / Vaccines Thu, 18 Jun 2009 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154342.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154342.php A new study by The George Institute for International Health has found Tai Chi to have positive health benefits for musculoskeletal pain. The results of the first comprehensive analysis of Tai Chi suggest that it produces positive effects for improving pain and disability among arthritis sufferers. The researchers are now embarking on a new trial to establish if similar benefits can be seen among people with chronic low back pain. Arthritis / Rheumatology Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154121.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154121.php Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ: CELG) announced the preliminary results of a phase II, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, three-arm study of apremilast - a novel, orally available small molecule that exhibits anti- inflammatory activities through the suppression of multiple pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines - in adult patients with psoriatic arthritis (CC-10004-PSA-001). The study met its primary objective of assessment of ACR20 at 12 weeks. Arthritis / Rheumatology Tue, 16 Jun 2009 02:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/153974.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/153974.php Over half (63%) of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) also suffer from psychiatric disorders, with the majority of these (87%) occurring in the depressive spectrum, according to the results of a new study presented recently at EULAR 2009, the Annual Congress of the European League Against Rheumatism in Copenhagen, Denmark. Interestingly, over half (52%) of the patients studied indicated that they had experienced stress events before the onset of their RA. Arthritis / Rheumatology Tue, 16 Jun 2009 02:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154002.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154002.php Proteolix, Inc. announced that in an article published in Nature Medicine, Proteolix's selective immunoproteasome inhibitor PR-957 was shown to block disease progression in mouse models of rheumatoid arthritis in a dose-dependent manner and to completely eliminate visible signs of disease at the highest dose. The anti-inflammatory effect induced by PR-957 was rapid and long-lasting, lowering expression of multiple inflammatory mediators, including TNF-a and IL-6. Arthritis / Rheumatology Tue, 16 Jun 2009 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/153969.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/153969.php Patients with rheumatic diseases want more information and better communication with healthcare professionals on the sexual issues related to their conditions, according to the results of a new study presented recently at EULAR 2009, the Annual Congress of the European League Against Rheumatism in Copenhagen, Denmark. Arthritis / Rheumatology Tue, 16 Jun 2009 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/153970.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/153970.php First line treatment with anakinra (an interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor antagonist), results in a 'good' clinical response (ACRp90) in patients newly diagnosed with systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SoJIA), and restores the deficient IL-18 response of natural killer (NK) cells*, according to a new study presented recently at PReS 2009, a joint congress with the 2009 Congress of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) in Copenhagen, Denmark. Arthritis / Rheumatology