Posted on 12/24/2005 7:24:03 PM PST by neverdem
ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON -- Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. said the FDA has approved a new drug to treat moderate to severe cases of rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic disease that afflicts more than 2 million Americans.
The drug, abatacept, is to be marketed as Orencia and is designed to be given intravenously. The company, based in New York, intends to start selling it by the end of February.
The drug acts by suppressing part of the immune system to treat rheumatoid arthritis, which is marked by swelling, stiffness and pain in the linings of the joints. The linings become inflamed after the body's immune system acts against them.
Treatments for rheumatoid arthritis typically involve immunosuppressants. Abatacept uses a new mechanism, blocking the activation of T-cells. When T-cells proliferate, they play a role in the body's immune response.
The drug is expected to become a major seller for Bristol-Myers.
On the Net:
bump for later
Seems as a T-cell moderator, this may be effective as a treatment for MS.
blocking the activation of T-cells.
geez, thats AIDS-like.....
bump for later
Suppressing the immune system is problematic. It is constantly fighting off all kinds of problems. More details on the side effects would be good to know. My Dad has an extremely bad case of RA.
As with Vioxx, I imagine lawyers across the country are already designing their newspaper ads for impending lawsuits.
t-y-s-a-b-r-i
It's more complicated than that. Here's the most recent review article that I could find. Leukotrienes, mast cells, and T cells
I agree. From some of the things I've read on this... chronic infections that have impaired the immune system....leaves the body open to chronic inflammation....i.e., the basis for arthritis.
I'm a bit leery since discovering AZT (a frontrunner drug given to AIDS patients) used to be a chemotherapy drug which was so vicious to the immune system... they took it off the shelves.
Anything beats duct taping 4 or 5 ice-packs to my body and ingesting enough pain killers to immobilize 3 elephants.
Anything beats duct taping 4 or 5 ice-packs to my body and ingesting enough pain killers to immobilize 3 elephants.>>>>>
Have you tried taking MSM in therapeutic dosage?
I've noticed with some of our pediatric rheumatology patients receiving Enbrel that over time, the drug loses it's effectiveness, and they need to move on to other meds (Remicade).
Costco & probably Wal Mart have a liquid glocosamine, MSM, vitamin C mix that is dynamite on arthritis. I was at the pain level that your at but no more. I've been on some form of glucosamine for about ten years and saved myself from having plastic knees. It's a slow heal, might take weeks or months for you to see results. If your cartilage is already gone it doesn't work. I hope it works for you.
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