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Arthritis in Children Linked to Infections
Posted 1 May 2012 by Drugs.com
TUESDAY, May 1 – Children with juvenile arthritis have higher rates of bacterial infection when hospitalized than children without arthritis, a new study says. While taking high-dose steroids was associated with a higher infection risk among kids with arthritis, other arthritis drugs – methotrexate and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) inhibitors – were not. Researchers analyzed Medicaid data on nearly 8,500 children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and more than 360,000 arthritis-free children. Idiopathic means that a disease occurs without a known cause. Pharmacy claims were examined to determine arthritis patients' use of drugs that suppress the immune system, including high-dose glucocorticoids (steroids), methotrexate and TNF inhibitors, according to the study published May 1 in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism. Kids with arthritis who were not currently treated with ... Read more
Related support groups: Prednisone, Methotrexate, Bacterial Infection, Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, Prednisolone, Methylprednisolone, Hydrocortisone, Cortisone, Medrol, Triamcinolone, Betamethasone, Dexamethasone, Entocort
Steroids May Help Some With Sciatica
Posted 16 Apr 2012 by Drugs.com
MONDAY, April 16 – New research suggests that epidural steroids provided better relief for some patients with sciatica, a searing pain that shoots from the lower back straight down the leg, than Enbrel, a newer type of anti-inflammatory drug. Yet the differences were "modest" and did not reach statistical significance. And while more patients reported pain relief one month after receiving epidural steroids, the relief didn't necessarily last. At six months, steroids weren't any better than Enbrel (etanercept) or a third treatment tested, injections containing saline and a local anesthetic. "We found a pretty strong suggestion that steroids were better than both of the other treatments, and the etanercept wasn't better than saline, in the short-term," said study author Dr. Steven Cohen, a professor of anesthesia at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and director of ... Read more
Related support groups: Prednisone, Enbrel, Sciatica, Prednisolone, Methylprednisolone, Hydrocortisone, Cortisone, Medrol, Triamcinolone, Betamethasone, Dexamethasone, Entocort, Decadron, Budesonide, Solu-Medrol
Higher Cancer Rate Seen in Children With Juvenile Arthritis
Posted 13 Feb 2012 by Drugs.com
MONDAY, Feb. 13 – The cancer rate in children with juvenile arthritis is four times higher than in other children, a new study says. This increased risk of cancer isn't necessarily linked to arthritis treatments, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, according to the study published online Feb. 13 in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism. In the United States, TNF inhibitors carry a "black box" warning about the potential cancer risk associated with the drugs. In this study, the researchers analyzed 2000-2005 Medicaid data from more than 7,800 children with juvenile arthritis and comparison groups of about 650,000 children with asthma and nearly 322,000 children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The incidence rate of probable and highly probable cancers in children with juvenile arthritis was 4.4 times higher than in the other groups of children. Juvenile ... Read more
Related support groups: Enbrel, Etanercept, Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
FDA Medwatch Alert: Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) blockers, Azathioprine and/or Mercaptopurine: Update on Reports of Hepatosplenic T-Cell Lymphoma in Adolescents and Young Adults
Posted 6 Nov 2011 by Drugs.com
[UPDATED 11/04/2011] Healthcare professionals should remain vigilant for cases of malignancy in patients treated with TNF blockers, and report such cases to MedWatch. The reports should include: patient characteristics (age, gender, no patient identifiers) risk factors for malignancy exposure to other immune suppressing products or products with risk of malignancy indication for TNF blocker treatment TNF blocker exposure (duration, dose) cancer diagnosis (date of diagnosis, stage) biopsy results outcomes of malignancy (treatments, event outcome) [Posted 04/14/2011] ISSUE: FDA continues to receive reports of a rare cancer of white blood cells (known as Hepatosplenic T-Cell Lymphoma or HSTCL, primarily in adolescents and young adults being treated for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis with medicines known as tumor necrosis factors (TNF) blockers, as well as with azathioprine, ... Read more
Related support groups: Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, Imuran, Cimzia, Azathioprine, Simponi, Mercaptopurine, Etanercept, Adalimumab, Infliximab, Purinethol, Azasan, Golimumab, Certolizumab
TNF Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis Boosts Skin Cancer Risk
Posted 8 Sep 2011 by Drugs.com
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 7 – Treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors appears to increase their risk of developing skin cancer, a new review of prior research indicates. However, TNF inhibitors, which include infliximab (Remicade), adalimunab (Humira), and etanercept (Enbrel), do not appear to boost the risk for developing other forms of cancer, the researchers added. The findings stem from an analysis of 21 previous studies conducted between 1998 and 2010, as well as eight study summaries that had been presented at research conferences during the same timeframe. All the studies had focused on the potential for cancer risk in association with the use of standard TNF inhibitors. "This systematic review and meta analysis provides reassurance to physicians and patients that the treatment of [rheumatoid arthritis] with TNF inhibitors does not increase ... Read more
Related support groups: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, Etanercept, Adalimumab, Infliximab
FDA Medwatch Alert: Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNFα) Blockers: Label Change - Boxed Warning Updated for Risk of Infection from Legionella and Listeria
Posted 8 Sep 2011 by Drugs.com
including Remicade (infliximab), Enbrel (etanercept), Humira (adalimumab), Cimzia (certolizumab pegol), and Simponi (golimumab) ISSUE: FDA notified healthcare professionals that the Boxed Warning for the entire class of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNFα) blockers has been updated to include the risk of infection from two bacterial pathogens, Legionella and Listeria. In addition, the Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions sections of the labels for all of the TNFα blockers have been revised so that they contain consistent information about the risk for serious infections and the associated disease-causing pathogens. Patients treated with TNFα blockers are at increased risk for developing serious infections involving multiple organ systems and sites that may lead to hospitalization or death due to bacterial, mycobacterial, fungal, viral, parasitic, and other opportunistic pathogens. BA ... Read more
Related support groups: Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, Cimzia, Simponi, Etanercept, Infliximab, Adalimumab, Golimumab, Certolizumab
Some Drugs for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriasis May Cut Diabetes Risk
Posted 22 Jun 2011 by Drugs.com
TUESDAY, June 21 – Some medications commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis may help patients with these autoimmune disorders lower their risk of developing diabetes, researchers say. New research found that a particular class of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) known as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors and the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine can reduce diabetes risk by 38 percent and 46 percent, respectively, in people with rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis. "If you have rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis, you may be at an increased risk of diabetes, and a number of different antirheumatic drugs may reduce your future risk of diabetes," said study author Dr. Daniel Solomon, chief of clinical science in rheumatology at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. However, Solomon was quick to point out that this was an observational study, and does ... Read more
Related support groups: Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, Plaquenil, Hydroxychloroquine, Etanercept, Infliximab, Adalimumab, Quineprox, Plaquenil Sulfate
FDA Medwatch Alert: Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) blockers, Azathioprine and/or Mercaptopurine: Update on Reports of Hepatosplenic T-Cell Lymphoma in Adolescents and Young Adults
Posted 16 Apr 2011 by Drugs.com
[Posted 04/14/2011] ISSUE: FDA continues to receive reports of a rare cancer of white blood cells (known as Hepatosplenic T-Cell Lymphoma or HSTCL, primarily in adolescents and young adults being treated for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis with medicines known as tumor necrosis factors (TNF) blockers, as well as with azathioprine, and/or mercaptopurine. TNF blockers include Remicade (infliximab), Enbrel (etanercept), Humira (adalimumab), Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) and Simponi (golimumab). BACKGROUND: HSTCL is an aggressive (fast-growing) cancer and is usually fatal. The majority of cases reported were in patients being treated for Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, but also included a patient being treated for psoriasis and two patients being treated for rheumatoid arthritis. FDA is now updating the number of reported cases of HSTCL. Although most reported cases of HSTCL oc ... Read more
Related support groups: Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, Imuran, Cimzia, Azathioprine, Simponi, Mercaptopurine, Etanercept, Adalimumab, Infliximab, Azasan, Golimumab, Purinethol, Certolizumab
Out-of-Pocket Costs Limit Access to Arthritis Drugs
Posted 25 May 2010 by Drugs.com
TUESDAY, May 25 – Effective but expensive biologic drugs are less likely to be used by American rheumatoid arthritis patients who have inadequate health insurance or are struggling with medical co-payments, a new study reveals. Biologics, which alter immune system function, are sometimes used to treat rheumatoid arthritis when more conventional treatments don't work. "Our study showed that out-of-pocket cost is a concern in the decision to initiate these drugs," lead author Pinar Karaca-Mandic, an assistant professor in the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota, said in a news release. "If higher cost-sharing forces people away from preferred, effective therapy, they could end up with higher complication and medical costs." Karaca-Mandic and her research team released their findings online May 24 in advance of publication in an upcoming print issue of the journal ... Read more
Related support groups: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, Etanercept, Adalimumab, Infliximab
TNF Blockers May Help Some With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Posted 16 Dec 2009 by Drugs.com
THURSDAY, Aug. 6 – Patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who respond poorly to standard treatment with methotrexate may benefit from additional treatment with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers, a Swedish study suggests. Previous research has shown that 20 percent to 40 percent of patients have a good response to methotrexate therapy and don't need more intensive combination treatment. This new study included 487 patients with early RA (less than one year's duration) who were initially treated with methotrexate. After three to four months, the 258 patients with an inadequate response to methotrexate were randomly assigned to receive either the TNF blocker infliximib (Remicade) or the conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, sulfasalazine and hydroxychloroquine. After 12 months, 39 percent of patients given infliximib achieved a good response, compared with 25 ... Read more
Related support groups: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, Cimzia, Etanercept, Infliximab, Adalimumab, Golimumab, Certolizumab
Certain Arthritis, Crohn's Drugs May Raise Kids' Cancer Risk: FDA
Posted 16 Dec 2009 by Drugs.com
TUESDAY, Aug. 4 – Drugs widely used to fight rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease and other inflammatory disorders must now carry an updated "black box" warning label cautioning patients and doctors that the medicines may boost cancer risk in children and adolescents, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Tuesday. The drugs, called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers, work by interrupting a protein that causes inflammation and damage to bones, cartilage and other tissue. They include Remicade (infliximab), Enbrel (etanercept), Humira (adalimumab), Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) and Simponi (golimumab). "FDA announced that it has completed its analysis of TNF blockers and has concluded that there is an increased risk of lymphoma and other cancers associated with the use of these drugs in children and adolescents," according to FDA spokeswomen Crystal Rice. "This new safety ... Read more
Related support groups: Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, Cimzia, Etanercept, Infliximab, Adalimumab, Golimumab, Certolizumab
Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment Doesn't Promote Cancer
Posted 1 Dec 2009 by Drugs.com
THURSDAY, Oct. 29 – Treatment with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers doesn't increase rheumatoid arthritis patients' risk of cancer, new research has found. TNF is a substance secreted by immune cells that regulates the immune system and plays a role in inflammation. TNF blockers are immunosuppressants that reduce inflammation in people with rheumatoid arthritis, but concerns have been raised that long-term use of the drugs may increase the risk of infections and cancer. Swedish researchers analyzed data from 6,366 rheumatoid arthritis patients who started anti-TNF therapy with infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab (Humira) or etanercept (Enbrel) between January 1999 and July 2006. The study participants were compared with other groups of rheumatoid arthritis patients, including 61,160 not taking medications, 4,015 taking methotrexate (the gold standard of treatment) and 4,105 taking ... Read more
Related support groups: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, Cimzia, Etanercept, Infliximab, Adalimumab, Golimumab, Certolizumab
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