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FDA Approves Actemra (tocilizumab) for the Treatment of Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (SJIA)
Posted 18 Apr 2011 by Drugs.com
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 15, 2011 - Genentech, a member of the Roche Group today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Actemra (tocilizumab) for the treatment of active Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (SJIA) in patients two years of age and older. Actemra can be given alone or in combination with methotrexate in patients with SJIA. Actemra is the first medicine approved by the FDA for the treatment of SJIA, a rare and severe form of arthritis affecting children. SJIA has the worst long-term prognosis of all types of childhood arthritis.1 "Today's FDA approval marks an important advance in the treatment of SJIA, a debilitating condition affecting children," said Hal Barron, M.D., chief medical officer and head Global Product Development. "As the first and only approved treatment for SJIA, Actemra offers a new option for this ... Read more
Related support groups: Actemra, Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Tocilizumab
Long-Term Methotrexate Won't Help Kids With Juvenile Arthritis
Posted 6 Apr 2010 by Drugs.com
TUESDAY, April 6 – Longer treatment with the drug methotrexate doesn't reduce relapse rates in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) that has gone into remission, a new study finds. The research included 364 JIA patients, median age 11 years, in 29 countries. They were randomly assigned to continue taking methotrexate for either six (group 1) or 12 months (group 2) after the beginning of disease remission, which meant that the children were temporarily free of persistent joint pain, swelling and stiffness. The median relapse-free time was 21 months in group 1 and 23 months in group 2. Of the 297 patients who stopped taking methotrexate while in remission, about 40 percent in both groups 1 and 2 had a JIA flare within a year. "These data indicate a need for the stratification of patients with chronic inflammatory diseases to ensure that the intensity of treatment is adjusted ... Read more
Related support groups: Methotrexate, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Methotrexate LPF Sodium, Folex PFS, Rheumatrex Dose Pack, Trexall
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