None — Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a condition leading to inflammation in the joints and other areas of the body. It occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues. In early stages, the lining of the affected joint swells, causing pain, stiffness, redness and warmth. Then, the lining thickens. Eventually, the condition leads to a release of enzymes that eat bone and cartilage. The joint loses its shape, causing more pain and difficulty in movement.
The Arthritis Foundation estimates about 1.3 million Americans have rheumatoid arthritis. Women are affected two-and-a-half times more often than men. The fingers, wrists and toes are commonly affected; however other joints can also be involved. Some patients also develop anemia, neck pain, dry eyes, or in rare cases, vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels), pleurisy (inflammation of the lining of the lungs) or pericarditis (inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart).
There are many different types of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Rest, a healthy diet, exercise and joint protection are important lifestyle modifications. Over-the-counter pain and anti-inflammatory drugs may provide some relief. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) may slow the progression of disease. Other medications, called biologic response modifiers, work by interrupting the inflammatory processes that lead to joint inflammation and damage. Some of these drugs target a protein, called tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Other drugs block specific types of immune cells, interleukin-1 (IL-1), B cells or T cells.
A New Drug for RA
ACTEMRA® (tocilizumab) is a new drug approved for treatment of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. It is the first medication specifically designed to inhibit IL-6, a type of immune cell. Overproduction of IL-6 is believed to contribute to joint inflammation in patients with RA. The drug works by binding to a receptor for IL-6.
ACTEMRA is given once a month through an intravenous infusion. Philip Mease, M.D., Rheumatologist with Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, WA, says the treatment is not a first-line therapy. It's given only after patients have tried a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonist and failed to get adequate relief.
ACTEMRA can cause some side effects. Since the drug inhibits immune activation, patients are at higher risk for upper respiratory infections. Other common side effects include: allergic reaction to the drug, headache, high blood pressure, or elevation of liver enzymes or cholesterol. In rare cases, ACTEMRA can lead to a perforation of the stomach or intestines.
For information about ACTEMRA®, click here.
For information on rheumatoid arthritis:
Arthritis FoundationNational Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
WSOC
