Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment Doesn't Promote Cancer Oct 30, 2009
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. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Health)
Anti-tumor necrosis factor treatment does not increase cancer Risk in RA patients Oct 29, 2009
A recent study by Swedish researchers found that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients did not experience an elevated cancer risk in the first 6 years after starting anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy ... D., from Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden assessed the short-term and medium-term cancer risk for RA patients using anti-TNF therapies: infliximab, adalimumab, and etanercept ... TNF is a cytokine (substance secreted by immune system cells) that regulates the body's immune... (EurekAlert!)
Study: No Benefit to Costly Arthritis Meds Oct 24, 2009
(WebMD) For many people with rheumatoid arthritis, the traditional, and much cheaper, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) appear to work just as well as newer TNF blockers that target the underlying disease process, a large study shows ... Two groups began with immediate combination therapy: either methotrexate combined with sulfasalazine and hydroxychloroquine (the traditional DMARDs) or methotrexate and the TNF blocker Enbrel ... Arthritis Drugs: No Difference Between DMARDs, TNF... (CBS News -- Health)
Effects Of Aspirin And Folic Acid On Inflammation Markers For Colorectal Adenomas Oct 15, 2009
D., of the department of Epidemiology & Population Health, at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, N.Y., and colleagues examined changes in plasma levels of five inflammation markers C-reactive protein, interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor, soluble TNF receptor type II, and IL-1 receptor antagonist at baseline and at year 3 of 884 subjects. The trial had three aspirin groups (including an aspirin placebo group) and two folic acid groups (including a folate placebo group). (Science Daily)
Polymorphisms Of The Interleukin-1 Gene Complex May Influence Alcohol Dependence Oct 13, 2009
A study of three polymorphisms of the interleukin-1 gene complex (IL-1) and one of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF ) has found that IL-1 may directly contribute to AD among Spanish Caucasian males ... "Clinical observation of increased circulating levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1 and TNF in patients with alcohol liver disease suggests that they might play a role on the pathogenesis of the disease. Additionally, these cytokines act in the central nervous system affecting the... (Science Daily)
Ulcerative Colitis Treatment Reduces Need For Surgery By Almost Half, Study Suggests Oct 2, 2009
Infliximab is an artificial antibody that works by blocking tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha). TNF alpha is a chemical messenger and a key part of the immune reaction ... Infliximab blocks the action of TNF alpha by preventing it from binding to its receptor in the cell. (Science Daily)
Drug Treats Ulcerative Colitis Sep 30, 2009
Infliximab is an artificial antibody that works by blocking tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF ... Infliximab blocks the action of TNF. (Newsmax)
Gene therapy: An Interview with an Unfortunate Pioneer Sep 17, 2009
Books such as Building Public Trust and Biosafety in the Laboratory sit on the shelves, and IL-6 and TNF- are scribbled on the whiteboard abbreviations representing some of the very immune factors that fatally spiraled out of control in Gelsinger s body. These allusions to the past aren t surprising considering how drastically the clinical trial changed gene therapy and, in particular, the career of James M. Wilson, the medical geneticist who headed Penn s Institute for Human , where the test... (Scientific American)
Infections 'speed memory loss' Sep 8, 2009
The Southampton University researchers think this leads to higher levels of an inflammatory protein called tumour necrosis factor (TNF) in the blood ... Between them 110 of the 222 subjects developed a total of 150 infections, in areas such as the chest, stomach and intestines and the urinary tract, which led to the production of TNF proteins ... And those patients who had high baseline levels of TNF and then suffered an SIE over the following six months had a 10 fold increase in the rate of... (BBC News -- UK)
Inflammatory Disease Treatments To Improve Through Use Of Lipidomics Sep 6, 2009
5, 2009) Although the origin of rheumatoid arthritis remains unclear, bioactive proteins known as cytokines, particularly TNF; and IL-6, which are involved in inflammation, play a major role in the. (Dec. (Science Daily)
Scientists Make "Sugar Bug" Drug for Bowel Disease Aug 25, 2009
Current therapies include a group of injectable drugs that block an inflammatory protein called tumor necrosis factor (TNF), such as Johnson on's Remicade, Abbott's Humira and UCB's Cimzia. Carding and colleagues reported in the journal Gut that the treatment was effective in mice with colitis, reducing bleeding and accelerating healing, and he said he is confident it should also work in other bowel disorders. (MEDLINEplus)
Anti-aging Gene Linked To High Blood Pressure Aug 21, 2009
29, 2006) Recent studies show promise for significantly reducing vascular aging by inactivating TNF;, which has been linked to blood vessel dysfunction and cell death. The related report by Csiszar et. (Science Daily)
Quitting Smoking Causes Quick Drop in Inflammation Aug 18, 2009
To investigate, they performed blood tests for several markers of inflammation, including C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and other substances, in 36 women participating in a smoking cessation program ... Levels of TNF and two related substances fell steadily through the course of the study, the researchers found. (MEDLINEplus)
Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) Blockers May Help Some with Rheumatoid Arthritis Aug 8, 2009
TNF Blockers May Help Some With Rheumatoid Arthritis: MedlinePlus ... TNF Blockers May Help Some With Rheumatoid Arthritis ... THURSDAY, Aug. 6 (HealthDay News) -- 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. (MEDLINEplus)
Certain Arthritis, Crohn's Drugs May Raise Kids' Cancer Risk Aug 6, 2009
The drugs, called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers, work by interrupting a protein that causes inflammation and damage to bones, cartilage and other tissue ... "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 ... TNF blockers already carry FDA-mandated warning labels for other potential... (MEDLINEplus)
R788 in TASKi3 Clinical Trial Does Not Meet Efficacy Endpoints in RA Patients Who Had Previously Failed Biologic Therapies - Results Incongruent Jul 24, 2009
TASKi3 was a 3 month, multi-center, randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, parallel dose clinical trial involving 219 RA patients in the U.S. who had failed to respond to at least one biologic treatment (such as TNF inhibitors). The patients were randomly assigned to two cohorts and thus received R788 orally in a 100 mg bid (twice daily) dose or placebo for a period of up to 3 months. (PR Newswire)
Investigation of the Cause of Death in a Gene-Therapy Trial Jul 9, 2009
The patient's receipt of concurrent anti TNF ... This case reinforces the importance of considering infectious complications, such as those from endemic mycoses, in patients receiving treatment with a TNF. (New England Journal of Medicine)
News briefs from the July issue of CHEST Jul 7, 2009
Results showed that smoking cessation resulted in significant reductions in circulating tumor necrosis factor (TNF), soluble TNF receptors I and II, and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). Researchers conclude that there are rapid consequences of smoking cessation on inflammatory biomarkers in women at risk for CVD. The article is published in the July issue of CHEST, the peer-reviewed journal of the American College of Chest Physicians. (EurekAlert!)
Increased Levels Of Certain Cytokines And Chemokines Predict Onset Of Rheumatoid Arthritis Jul 1, 2009
The cytokines, cytokine receptors and chemokines that were increased prior to disease onset included: IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-7, IL-1RA, TNF-VEGF, Th1 (IFN-, IL-12), Th2 (IL-4, Eotaxin), Treg (IL-10) and chemokines MCP-1 and MIP-1 ... IL-1RA, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-9, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-15, IL-17, Eotaxin, basic FGF, G-CSF, GM-CSF, IFN-, IP-10, MCP-1, MIP-1, MIP-1, PDGF-BB, RANTES, TNF-, VEGF, MIG, MIF and IL-2R.. (Science Daily)
Risk of tuberculosis from arthritis medication examined Jul 1, 2009
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 ... A new study examined... (EurekAlert!)
Extending The Shelf Life Of Antibody Drugs Jul 1, 2009
(May 22, 2006) A new meta-analysis of many previous studies of TNF- (tumor necrosis factor) blocking antibodies for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis has confirmed a previously discovered increased risk for serious. (June 22, 2006) In the search for better ways to target anticancer drugs, researchers at Rice University and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center find that nanoparticles called buckyballs can boost the payload of drugs. (Science Daily)
Vitamin D Deficiency Is Hypertensio... Jun 30, 2009
A study of common serum markers for inflammation in women with different serum levels of vitamin D, showed that the inflammatory marker TNF was inversely related to vitamin D. Thus, high levels of vitamin D reduced inflammation and low levels of vitamin D were associated with high chronic inflammation. Vitamin D Therapy Is Effective in Inflammatory Diseases. (Suite101.com)
Anti-inflammatory drugs may defeat a treatment-resistant type of cancer Jun 25, 2009
The final clue came from earlier reports that an inflammatory molecule called TNF could boost levels of miR-155 ... The anti-inflammatory drugs etanercept and infliximab, which are currently used to treat arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, work by suppressing TNF , suggesting a new way to curb the malignancy of this type of lymphoma. (EurekAlert!)
Alcoholic Hepatitis Jun 25, 2009
Volume 360:2758-2769. Michael R. Lucey, M.D., Philippe Mathurin, M.D., Ph. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Drug slows early stage arthritis Jun 17, 2009
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence currently says rituximab should be used only if other arthritis drugs called TNF treatments have failed ... And a course of anti-TNF therapy costs around 12,000 ... " RA TREATMENTS Most patients with early disease are started on anti-inflammatory pain killers like ibuprofen The next step is disease-modifying drugs like methotrexate to slow down progression and delay joint damage Newer biologics like anti-TNF drugs are tried When anti-TNF... (BBC News -- Health)
Treating gum disease helps rheumatoid arthritis sufferers May 29, 2009
One toxin from the inflamed areas called tumor neurosis factor-alpha (TNF- ) is a marker present in the blood when inflammation is present in the body. TNF- can initiate new infections or aggravate sites where inflammation already exists ... Two groups of patients were receiving a new group of anti-TNF- drugs that block the production of TNF- at inflamed rheumatoid arthritis sites. (EurekAlert!)
Anti-inflammatory Effect Of 'Rotten Eggs' Gas May 23, 2009
Cell signalling molecules that drive inflammation, such as TNF , IL-1, IL-6 and prostaglandins, were reduced while levels of the body's own anti-inflammatory molecules (i. e. IL-10) were increased. (Science Daily)
High Blood Pressure Could Be Caused By A Common Virus, Study Suggests May 17, 2009
Their first analysis demonstrated that CMV stimulated production of three different inflammatory cytokines IL6, TNF;, and MCP1 in the infected mice, an indication that the virus was causing inflammation to vascular cells and other tissues. A second analysis found that infection of a mouse kidney cell line with murine CMV led to an increase in expression of the renin enzyme, which has been known to activate the renin-angiotensin system and lead to high blood pressure. (Science Daily)
UCB's CIMZIA(R) (certolizumab pegol) Approved by the U.S. FDA for Adult Patients Suffering From Moderate to Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis May 14, 2009
- Available this week, Cimzia(R) (certolizumab pegol), the only pegylated anti-TNF, offers a new treatment option for U.S. adult patients suffering from moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis ... ATLANTA, May 13 /PRNewswire/ -- regulated information -- UCB announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Cimzia(R), the only PEGylated anti-TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor), for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis... (PR Newswire)
Immune Cell Type Controls Onset And Course Of Severe Malaria May 2, 2009
"The regulatory (Treg) cell subset associated with severe disease in humans expresses a unique combination of surface markers, including TNFRII . Regulatory T (Treg) cells are a small specialized subset of immune cells that suppress the activation and expansion of effector immune cells, which partake in parasite elimination," Professor Plebanski said ... Minigo G, Woodberry T, Piera KA, Salwati E, Tjitra E, et al. Parasite-Dependent Expansion of TNF Receptor II%u2013Positive Regulatory T Cells... (Science Daily)
Older Men More Likely Than Women To Die After Pneumonia May 1, 2009
The researchers measured blood levels of inflammatory indicators, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukins 6 and 10, coagulation indicators including Factor IX, and fibrinolysis indicators including D-dimer concentrations. They found patterns in these biomarkers that suggest men generate a stronger inflammatory and coagulation response and, perhaps, break up blood clots more quickly than women in response to infection. (Science Daily)
Laughter Remains Good Medicine Apr 18, 2009
The researchers followed both groups for 12 months, testing their blood for the stress hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine; HDL cholesterol; inflammatory cytokines TNF- IFN- and IL-6, which contribute to the acceleration of atherosclerosis and C-reactive proteins (hs-CRP), a marker of inflammation and cardiovascular disease ... The laughter group also had lower levels of TNF- , IFN- , IL-6 and hs-CRP levels, indicating lower levels of inflammation. (Science Daily)
Vitamin D Deficiency Related To Increased Inflammation In Healthy Women Apr 14, 2009
Increased concentrations of serum TNF- , an inflammatory marker, were found in women who had insufficient vitamin D levels. This study is the first to find an inverse relationship between vitamin D levels and concentrations of TNF- in a healthy, non-diseased population. (Science Daily)
Vitamin D Deficiency Increases Inflammation Apr 10, 2009
Increased concentrations of serum TNF ... This study is the first to find an inverse relationship between vitamin D levels and concentrations of TNF. (Newsmax)
A paradigm shift in immune response regulation Mar 20, 2009
As a consequence, molecular cues are produced in the blood, such as Tumor Receptor Factors (TNF) or interleukin-1, and these stimulate further reactions in the immune system. But what exactly happens after the molecular cues have docked onto the cell receptors that specialize in immune response. (EurekAlert!)
Chugai Defends Actemra Arthritis Drug After Stock Falls on Reported Death Mar 18, 2009
Other arthritis medicines include s Enbrel, s Remicade and s Humira, known as TNF inhibitors ... Some scientists advising the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in July that the dose should be cut in half or limited to patients who dont respond to the older TNF- inhibitors, until Roche finishes a planned longer-term safety review of the drug. (Bloomberg -- Asia)
Scientists ID Biomarkers for Rheumatoid Arthritis Mar 14, 2009
The researchers found that levels of two cytokines (proteins released by the immune system) called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were elevated before the women developed RA symptoms ... Because TNF degrades rapidly in stored blood samples, the researchers used soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor II (sTNFRII) as a surrogate ... Levels of sTNFRII were elevated up to 12 years before development of RA symptoms and were associated with a twofold increased risk of RA. Levels... (MEDLINEplus)
Type Of Rheumatoid Arthritis Medication May Be Associated With Increased Risk For Shingles Mar 1, 2009
28, 2009) Use of certain medications known as monoclonal anti tumor necrosis factor (TNF- ) antibodies for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis appears to be associated with an increased risk for herpes zoster (shingles), the painful infection characterized by blisters, according to a new study ... There has been evidence from some studies that patients treated with anti TNF- agents are at an increased risk of bacterial infections, but little is known about the risk of viral infections, such as... (Science Daily)
How Inflammatory Disease Causes Fatigue Mar 1, 2009
Liver inflammation also stimulated cells in the blood to make an immune chemical (TNF ). When the researchers blocked the signaling of this immune chemical, microglia produced less CCL2, and monocytes stayed out of the brain. (Science Daily)
La Jolla Institute signs exclusive license agreement with Medimmune on major asthma discovery Feb 26, 2009
OX40 ligand is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily of molecules, which are signaling proteins used by inflammation-causing cells to communicate with the rest of the immune system. Blockade of interactions of TNF, the first member of the family to be discovered, with its receptors, is an approved treatment for several diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. (EurekAlert! -- Business News)
New clues to healing arthritis caused by traumatic injury Feb 23, 2009
A second cytokine, TNF- , was also expressed at a significantly higher rate in the control mice after the fracture (from a 13-fold peak just after fracture to 5-fold at 7 days), while the superhealer mice showed no change in their levels of TNF- at all over time. "Current treatments on the market for rheumatoid arthritist include anakinra (Kineret, an IL-1 receptor antagonist) and etanercept (Enbrel, a tumor necrosis factor blocker)," said Farshid Guilak, Ph. (EurekAlert!)
Inhibiting Proteins May Prevent Cartilage Breakdown In Arthritis Patients Feb 20, 2009
31, 2007) Researchers tested the effectiveness of etanercept, an established TNF receptor, on animal models of arthritis. Their cast doubts on the feasibility of preventing joint and spine ankylosis with. (Science Daily)
Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs Raise Shingles Risk Feb 19, 2009
Although the link between TNF blockers and fungal and bacterial infections is fairly well-established, associations with viral infections are less clear. There have, however, been reports of severe herpes zoster in people taking TNF blockers ... TNF blockers, which suppress the immune system, are used for a variety of autoimmune disorders, including Crohn's disease and psoriasis. (MEDLINEplus)
Probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri biofilms produce antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory factors Feb 12, 2009
Immunomodulatory activities of biofilms were demonstrated by the abilities of specific L. reuteri strains to suppress human TNF production by LPS-activated monocytoid cells. Quantification of the antimicrobial glycerol derivative, reuterin, was assessed in order to document the anti-pathogenic potential of probiotic biofilms. (BioMed Central)
TNF-Blocker Therapy for RA May Trigger Psoriasis Feb 7, 2009
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Evidence continues to mount that so-called TNF-blockers used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may lead to psoriasis. The latest study by UK researchers adds to individual case reports of psoriasis occurring in RA patients treated with TNF blockers ... "We observed 25 cases of new-onset psoriasis in our cohort of almost 10,000 patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving anti-TNF therapy," investigator Dr. Kimme L. Hyrich told Reuters Health. (MEDLINEplus)
