Molecular dermatology research and development innovator DermaGenoma, Inc. today announced that the PsoriasisDX Genetic Test for Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) is now available as a CE Marked product under the European In Vitro Diagnostic Directive.
CE Marking is required for certain product groups to indicate conformity with the essential requirements set out in European Directives. The PsoriasisDX Genetic Test for Psoriatic Arthritis complies with the essential requirements of the European IVD Directive.
The PsoriasisDX Genetic Test helps identify those at high risk for developing Psoriatic Arthritis before they experience arthritic symptoms, providing the opportunity to lessen joint damage through early medical intervention.
"We are excited to extend this revolutionary genetics testing breakthrough to dermatologists in Europe," says Andy Goren, CEO of DermaGenoma, Inc. "It helps doctors determine the proper treatments for patients."
Source:
DermaGenoma, Inc.
среда, 28 сентября 2011 г.
воскресенье, 25 сентября 2011 г.
Blood Clotting Protein Linked To Rheumatoid Arthritis
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's have issued the first study showing that a protein normally involved in blood clotting (fibrin), also plays an important role in the inflammatory response and development of rheumatoid arthritis. Inflammatory joint disease appears to be driven by the engagement of inflammatory cells with fibrin matrices through a specific integrin receptor, aMB2. Writing in the November issue of The Journal of Clinical Investigation, researchers suggest that therapies designed to interrupt the localized interaction of inflammatory cells and fibrin may help arthritis patients.
"Our study establishes that fibrin is a powerful, although context dependent, determinant of inflammatory joint disease," said Jay Degen, Ph.D., a researcher in Developmental Biology at Cincinnati Children's and the study's lead author. "These findings also suggest that pharmacologically interrupting the interaction of fibrin and aMB2 might be efficacious in the treatment of arthritic disease as well as many other inflammatory diseases, such as multiple sclerosis."
Affecting 2.1 million people in the United States, rheumatoid arthritis is a painful and debilitating disease involving chronic inflammation, tissue degeneration, loss of cartilage and bone and ultimately loss of joint mobility and function, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Although the disease's precise cause is not fully known, activation of specific components in the body's immune system seem to play a major role in its onset and early progression, according to researchers. Fibrin deposits are a prominent feature of arthritic joints and the protein appears to be a link between systems that control inflammation and bleeding within joints. Dr. Degen and his colleagues explained that in arthritic joints, the mesh-like matrices formed by fibrin to create blood clots may control local activity of inflammatory cells as well as support inappropriate tissue reorganization.
The study was conducted by a team that includes researchers from Cincinnati Children's and the University of Cincinnati's College of Medicine using genetically engineered mice with collagen-induced arthritis of the knee and paw. The mice were designed to have selective alterations in the production of fibrinogen, a precursor to fibrin, to allow researchers to evaluate the inflammatory impact of fibrin, especially as it interacts with aMB2.
The study was supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health and the Arthritis Foundation. Dr. Degen and the research team are continuing their research to determine more definitively how the interruption of fibrin and aMB2 might translate into potential therapeutic treatment for patients.
Cincinnati Children's, one of the top five children's hospitals in the nation according to Child magazine, is a 475 bed institution devoted to bringing the world the joy of healthier kids. Cincinnati Children's is dedicated to providing care that is timely, efficient, effective, family-centered, equitable and safe. For its efforts to transform the way health care is provided, Cincinnati Children's received the 2006 American Hospital Association McKesson Quest for Quality Prize®. Cincinnati Children's ranks second nationally among all pediatric centers in research grants from the National Institutes of Health and is a teaching affiliate of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. The Cincinnati Children's vision is to be the leader in improving child health.
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
3333 Burnet Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039
United States
cincinnatichildrens
"Our study establishes that fibrin is a powerful, although context dependent, determinant of inflammatory joint disease," said Jay Degen, Ph.D., a researcher in Developmental Biology at Cincinnati Children's and the study's lead author. "These findings also suggest that pharmacologically interrupting the interaction of fibrin and aMB2 might be efficacious in the treatment of arthritic disease as well as many other inflammatory diseases, such as multiple sclerosis."
Affecting 2.1 million people in the United States, rheumatoid arthritis is a painful and debilitating disease involving chronic inflammation, tissue degeneration, loss of cartilage and bone and ultimately loss of joint mobility and function, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Although the disease's precise cause is not fully known, activation of specific components in the body's immune system seem to play a major role in its onset and early progression, according to researchers. Fibrin deposits are a prominent feature of arthritic joints and the protein appears to be a link between systems that control inflammation and bleeding within joints. Dr. Degen and his colleagues explained that in arthritic joints, the mesh-like matrices formed by fibrin to create blood clots may control local activity of inflammatory cells as well as support inappropriate tissue reorganization.
The study was conducted by a team that includes researchers from Cincinnati Children's and the University of Cincinnati's College of Medicine using genetically engineered mice with collagen-induced arthritis of the knee and paw. The mice were designed to have selective alterations in the production of fibrinogen, a precursor to fibrin, to allow researchers to evaluate the inflammatory impact of fibrin, especially as it interacts with aMB2.
The study was supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health and the Arthritis Foundation. Dr. Degen and the research team are continuing their research to determine more definitively how the interruption of fibrin and aMB2 might translate into potential therapeutic treatment for patients.
Cincinnati Children's, one of the top five children's hospitals in the nation according to Child magazine, is a 475 bed institution devoted to bringing the world the joy of healthier kids. Cincinnati Children's is dedicated to providing care that is timely, efficient, effective, family-centered, equitable and safe. For its efforts to transform the way health care is provided, Cincinnati Children's received the 2006 American Hospital Association McKesson Quest for Quality Prize®. Cincinnati Children's ranks second nationally among all pediatric centers in research grants from the National Institutes of Health and is a teaching affiliate of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. The Cincinnati Children's vision is to be the leader in improving child health.
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
3333 Burnet Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039
United States
cincinnatichildrens
четверг, 22 сентября 2011 г.
A Bit Of Reassurance On Lyme Disease
Tick bites generate fears of Lyme disease in every parent, but this study of
99 children finds that one of Lyme's complications -- arthritis -- has a
good prognosis. Researchers led by Robert Sundel, MD, a rheumatologist at
Children's, found that 77 percent of children were cured with less than 3
months of antibiotic treatment. The remainder were also ultimately relieved
of their arthritis, though additional treatment (usually one month of
intravenous antibiotics) was required. As long as children were treated
until joint inflammation was fully controlled, there were no long-term
problems.
Children's Hospital Boston is home to the world's largest research
enterprise based at a pediatric medical center, where its discoveries have
benefited both children and adults since 1869. More than 500 scientists,
including eight members of the National Academy of Sciences, 11 members of
the Institute of Medicine and 12 members of the Howard Hughes Medical
Institute comprise Children's research community. Founded as a 20-bed
hospital for children, Children's Hospital Boston today is a 397-bed
comprehensive center for pediatric and adolescent health care grounded in
the values of excellence in patient care and sensitivity to the complex
needs and diversity of children and families. Children's also is the primary
pediatric teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. For more information
about the hospital and its research visit:
childrenshospital/newsroom.
Children's Hospital Boston
99 children finds that one of Lyme's complications -- arthritis -- has a
good prognosis. Researchers led by Robert Sundel, MD, a rheumatologist at
Children's, found that 77 percent of children were cured with less than 3
months of antibiotic treatment. The remainder were also ultimately relieved
of their arthritis, though additional treatment (usually one month of
intravenous antibiotics) was required. As long as children were treated
until joint inflammation was fully controlled, there were no long-term
problems.
Children's Hospital Boston is home to the world's largest research
enterprise based at a pediatric medical center, where its discoveries have
benefited both children and adults since 1869. More than 500 scientists,
including eight members of the National Academy of Sciences, 11 members of
the Institute of Medicine and 12 members of the Howard Hughes Medical
Institute comprise Children's research community. Founded as a 20-bed
hospital for children, Children's Hospital Boston today is a 397-bed
comprehensive center for pediatric and adolescent health care grounded in
the values of excellence in patient care and sensitivity to the complex
needs and diversity of children and families. Children's also is the primary
pediatric teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. For more information
about the hospital and its research visit:
childrenshospital/newsroom.
Children's Hospital Boston
понедельник, 19 сентября 2011 г.
Geisinger Researchers Awarded Funds For Personalized Healthcare Project
Researchers at Geisinger Medical Center recently received funding totaling more than $44,000 from a Geisinger Health System (GHS) - NYU Langone Medical Center (NYULMC) collaborative project focusing on personalized healthcare.
The grant, titled "Expanding Comparative Effectiveness Research in Orthopedics by Capturing Uniform Measures of Patient-Reported Functional Outcomes at Two Institutions", will permit Geisinger to administer electronic questionnaires to patients with osteoarthritis (OA) via new, touch-screen monitors in its orthopaedic clinics. Results from these questionnaires will allow physicians to track patient-reported outcomes, which are critical in developing evidence-based protocols in OA management.
"There is an urgent need to create evidence-based guidelines to assist health care providers in managing osteoarthritis. By integrating an electronic questionnaire into patient visits, we can collect valuable data regarding the effectiveness of our treatments and use that feedback to determine what's working well and what we can improve," said Wade Smith, Chairman, Orthopaedics, Geisinger Health System.
By partnering with NYULMC, data will be collected from two very divergent populations, allowing for interinstitutional research and collaboration. Both institutions will integrate the data into electronic health record systems.
"Our ultimate goal is to include patient-centered outcome data as an automatic part of the medical record here at Geisinger," Dr. Smith said. "This grant is the first step toward realizing that goal, which would be a transformative change in our ability to continually improve how we care for osteoarthritis patients."
Source
Geisinger Health System
The grant, titled "Expanding Comparative Effectiveness Research in Orthopedics by Capturing Uniform Measures of Patient-Reported Functional Outcomes at Two Institutions", will permit Geisinger to administer electronic questionnaires to patients with osteoarthritis (OA) via new, touch-screen monitors in its orthopaedic clinics. Results from these questionnaires will allow physicians to track patient-reported outcomes, which are critical in developing evidence-based protocols in OA management.
"There is an urgent need to create evidence-based guidelines to assist health care providers in managing osteoarthritis. By integrating an electronic questionnaire into patient visits, we can collect valuable data regarding the effectiveness of our treatments and use that feedback to determine what's working well and what we can improve," said Wade Smith, Chairman, Orthopaedics, Geisinger Health System.
By partnering with NYULMC, data will be collected from two very divergent populations, allowing for interinstitutional research and collaboration. Both institutions will integrate the data into electronic health record systems.
"Our ultimate goal is to include patient-centered outcome data as an automatic part of the medical record here at Geisinger," Dr. Smith said. "This grant is the first step toward realizing that goal, which would be a transformative change in our ability to continually improve how we care for osteoarthritis patients."
Source
Geisinger Health System
пятница, 16 сентября 2011 г.
Funding For Building Better Bones And Tissue In The Lab
Tissue engineering holds great promise for the treatment of conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, fibrosis, periodontal disease and traumatic injuries. However, bone and cartilage currently produced in the laboratory don't have sufficient strength to function in the body so they're not clinically viable. Dr. Douglas Hamilton, a dental researcher with the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at The University of Western Ontario has received funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to try to find solutions to that problem.
Hamilton and the Centre for the Study of Biomaterials and Tissue Regeneration has received nearly $163,000 from CFI to purchase specialized equipment to assess cell responses to a variety of mechanical forces and biomaterial types using state-of-the-art molecular biology and imaging techniques.
"In many instances our ability to help tissues such as bone to repair, is limited as we don't fully understand how human tissues respond to the presence of artificial materials. This becomes even more problematic in tissues that are loaded due to normal human activity," says Hamilton. "With the funding from the CFI, we are establishing an innovative laboratory that will allows us to study how cells respond to both mechanical stimulation and biomaterials such as titanium at the same time. We anticipate learning much about how cells sense their environment and subsequently regenerate tissues, which will be important in orthopaedics, dentistry, and cardiovascular medicine."
CFI just announced $45.5 million in new funds to support 251 projects across the country. Western received a total of $1.3 million to fund five research projects. The four other recipients are:
Dr. Timothy Regnault, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, $288,000, A Laboratory for Investigating the Role of Fetal Programming in Metabolic Syndrome. Regnault is also a scientist with the Lawson Health Research Institute.
Dr. Joan Knoll, Department of Pathology, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, $212,039, Translational Cytogenomic Infrastructure for Detection and Characterization of Chromosomal Abnormalities. Knoll is also an associate scientist at Lawson.
Dr. Samuel Siu, Department of Medicine, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, $359,419, Translational Imaging Centre for Cardiovascular Outcomes Research (TRICORE). Siu is the Chair and Chief of Cardiology.
Desmond Moser, PhD, Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science and Geography, Faculty of Social Sciences, $310,051, Nanobeam Materials Analyzer for Probing Planetary Evolution and Resources (NanoMAPPER); an Innovation in Planetary Materials Science
The CFI is an independent corporation created by the Government of Canada to fund research infrastructure. A complete list of funded projects can be found at innovation.ca.
Source: Kathy Wallis
University of Western Ontario
Hamilton and the Centre for the Study of Biomaterials and Tissue Regeneration has received nearly $163,000 from CFI to purchase specialized equipment to assess cell responses to a variety of mechanical forces and biomaterial types using state-of-the-art molecular biology and imaging techniques.
"In many instances our ability to help tissues such as bone to repair, is limited as we don't fully understand how human tissues respond to the presence of artificial materials. This becomes even more problematic in tissues that are loaded due to normal human activity," says Hamilton. "With the funding from the CFI, we are establishing an innovative laboratory that will allows us to study how cells respond to both mechanical stimulation and biomaterials such as titanium at the same time. We anticipate learning much about how cells sense their environment and subsequently regenerate tissues, which will be important in orthopaedics, dentistry, and cardiovascular medicine."
CFI just announced $45.5 million in new funds to support 251 projects across the country. Western received a total of $1.3 million to fund five research projects. The four other recipients are:
Dr. Timothy Regnault, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, $288,000, A Laboratory for Investigating the Role of Fetal Programming in Metabolic Syndrome. Regnault is also a scientist with the Lawson Health Research Institute.
Dr. Joan Knoll, Department of Pathology, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, $212,039, Translational Cytogenomic Infrastructure for Detection and Characterization of Chromosomal Abnormalities. Knoll is also an associate scientist at Lawson.
Dr. Samuel Siu, Department of Medicine, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, $359,419, Translational Imaging Centre for Cardiovascular Outcomes Research (TRICORE). Siu is the Chair and Chief of Cardiology.
Desmond Moser, PhD, Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science and Geography, Faculty of Social Sciences, $310,051, Nanobeam Materials Analyzer for Probing Planetary Evolution and Resources (NanoMAPPER); an Innovation in Planetary Materials Science
The CFI is an independent corporation created by the Government of Canada to fund research infrastructure. A complete list of funded projects can be found at innovation.ca.
Source: Kathy Wallis
University of Western Ontario
вторник, 13 сентября 2011 г.
Long-Term Follow-Up Data Confirm Cox-2 Inhibitor Rofecoxib Substantially Increases Risk Of Stroke, Heart Attack, And Death
Long term follow-up data from the APPROVe trial confirms that use of the Cox-2 inhibitor rofecoxib* substantially increases the risk of stroke, heart attack and death compared with placebo. These are the conclusions of an Article published early Online and in an upcoming edition of The Lancet. The paper was written by Professor John A Baron, Dartmouth Medical School, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA, Dr Robert Bresalier, MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, USA, and Professor Dion Morton, University of Birmingham, UK and colleagues.
The APPROVe study was a randomised, placebo-controlled trial, which aimed to assess the effects of 3-year treatment with rofecoxib on recurrence of cancerous polyps in the bowel. The study looked at 2587 patients from 108 centres worldwide during 2000 and 2001, and patients were initially monitored for adverse events only while on treatment and for 14 days afterwards. In this paper, the researchers attempted to follow-up for one year all patients that had had to stop treatment because of cardiovascular toxicity. The end-point studied was the combined incidence of non-fatal heart attack, non-fatal stroke, and death from cardiovascular, haemorrhagic, or unknown causes (the Antiplatelet Trialists' Collaboration [APTC] combined endpoint).
Follow-up data were obtained for 84% of participants, and the researchers found that the relative risk of reaching APTC was increased by 79% in the rofecoxib group compared with placebo. This was consistent with earlier findings of increased risk while on treatment or 14 days afterwards, in which the relative risk of reaching APTC was more than doubled (a 112% increased risk). In terms of the individual outcomes after one-year follow up, the risk of heart attack or stroke was roughly doubled for rofecoxib patients compared with placebo, while the relative risk of death increased by 31%. There was no substantial change in the increased relative risk of cardiovascular events over time.
The authors conclude: "Our data are compatible with an early increase in risk that seems to persist for about 1 year after 3 years of treatment. The cardiovascular toxicity seems to be a class effect; indeed, studies of other selective COX-2 inhibitors have reported similar findings. Conventional non-aspirin NSAIDs?? may share the same toxicity to the extent that they are COX-2 selective. All these drugs are effective analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents, and seem to reduce risks of colorectal neoplasia. However, these benefits will have to be weighed against their proven or possible cardiovascular risks in assessing their suitability in various clinical settings."
In an accompanying Comment, Dr Colin Baigent, Clinical Trial Service Unit and Epidemiological Studies Unit, University of Oxford, UK, and Dr Carlo Patrono, Catholic University of Rome, Italy, say: "The results of randomised trials are consistent with all coxibs having some vascular risk, but also with some traditional NSAIDs carrying similar risks. Switching from a coxib to a traditional NSAID will not necessarily avoid these vascular hazards, but will result in a two-to-three-fold increase in the risk of a serious upper gastrointestinal complication - ie, perforation, obstruction, or bleed. A physician choosing between alternative anti-inflammatory regimens for a patient needs to be able to weigh each regimen's hazards, especially cardiovascular and gastrointestinal risks." They add that further research is needed to create a validated method for estimating the risk of a serious gastrointestinal complication.
*In 2004, Merck voluntarily withdrew rofecoxib (Vioxx) from the market because of concerns about increased risk of heart attack and stroke associated with long-term, high-dosage use.
?? NSAID=Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Article
"Cardiovascular events associated with rofecoxib: final analysis of the APPROVe trial"
John A Baron, Robert S Sandler, Robert S Bresalier, Angel Lanas, Dion G Morton, Robert Riddell, Erik R Iverson, David L DeMets
The Lancet - October 14, 2008DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(08)61490-7
Click here to view Summary online (no login required)
Comment
"Selective COX-2 inhibitors: where do we go from here?"
Colin Baigent, Carlo Patrono
The Lancet -10.1016/S0140-6736(08)61491-9
Click here to see Full Comment (login required)
View drug information on Vioxx.
The APPROVe study was a randomised, placebo-controlled trial, which aimed to assess the effects of 3-year treatment with rofecoxib on recurrence of cancerous polyps in the bowel. The study looked at 2587 patients from 108 centres worldwide during 2000 and 2001, and patients were initially monitored for adverse events only while on treatment and for 14 days afterwards. In this paper, the researchers attempted to follow-up for one year all patients that had had to stop treatment because of cardiovascular toxicity. The end-point studied was the combined incidence of non-fatal heart attack, non-fatal stroke, and death from cardiovascular, haemorrhagic, or unknown causes (the Antiplatelet Trialists' Collaboration [APTC] combined endpoint).
Follow-up data were obtained for 84% of participants, and the researchers found that the relative risk of reaching APTC was increased by 79% in the rofecoxib group compared with placebo. This was consistent with earlier findings of increased risk while on treatment or 14 days afterwards, in which the relative risk of reaching APTC was more than doubled (a 112% increased risk). In terms of the individual outcomes after one-year follow up, the risk of heart attack or stroke was roughly doubled for rofecoxib patients compared with placebo, while the relative risk of death increased by 31%. There was no substantial change in the increased relative risk of cardiovascular events over time.
The authors conclude: "Our data are compatible with an early increase in risk that seems to persist for about 1 year after 3 years of treatment. The cardiovascular toxicity seems to be a class effect; indeed, studies of other selective COX-2 inhibitors have reported similar findings. Conventional non-aspirin NSAIDs?? may share the same toxicity to the extent that they are COX-2 selective. All these drugs are effective analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents, and seem to reduce risks of colorectal neoplasia. However, these benefits will have to be weighed against their proven or possible cardiovascular risks in assessing their suitability in various clinical settings."
In an accompanying Comment, Dr Colin Baigent, Clinical Trial Service Unit and Epidemiological Studies Unit, University of Oxford, UK, and Dr Carlo Patrono, Catholic University of Rome, Italy, say: "The results of randomised trials are consistent with all coxibs having some vascular risk, but also with some traditional NSAIDs carrying similar risks. Switching from a coxib to a traditional NSAID will not necessarily avoid these vascular hazards, but will result in a two-to-three-fold increase in the risk of a serious upper gastrointestinal complication - ie, perforation, obstruction, or bleed. A physician choosing between alternative anti-inflammatory regimens for a patient needs to be able to weigh each regimen's hazards, especially cardiovascular and gastrointestinal risks." They add that further research is needed to create a validated method for estimating the risk of a serious gastrointestinal complication.
*In 2004, Merck voluntarily withdrew rofecoxib (Vioxx) from the market because of concerns about increased risk of heart attack and stroke associated with long-term, high-dosage use.
?? NSAID=Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Article
"Cardiovascular events associated with rofecoxib: final analysis of the APPROVe trial"
John A Baron, Robert S Sandler, Robert S Bresalier, Angel Lanas, Dion G Morton, Robert Riddell, Erik R Iverson, David L DeMets
The Lancet - October 14, 2008DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(08)61490-7
Click here to view Summary online (no login required)
Comment
"Selective COX-2 inhibitors: where do we go from here?"
Colin Baigent, Carlo Patrono
The Lancet -10.1016/S0140-6736(08)61491-9
Click here to see Full Comment (login required)
View drug information on Vioxx.
суббота, 10 сентября 2011 г.
Success in Treatment of Children with Juvenile Arthritis
In the May 2, 2005, issue of The Journal of Experimental Medicine, Virginia Pascual, MD, and Jacques Banchereau, Ph D,
from the Baylor Institute for Immunology Research in Dallas (BIIR), report on the successful treatment of children with
systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SoJIA). The findings are highly significant for SoJIA patients for whom
previous therapies have failed.
Approximately 250,000 children in the U.S. suffer from juvenile arthritis. SoJIA accounts for about 10 percent of all
juvenile arthritis cases with unknown causes. Early symptoms, which often go undiagnosed, may include fever and a rash. As
the disease progresses, anemia and other blood-related issues develop, as do inflammation and joint pain. Depending on the
duration and severity of the disease long-term disabilities may develop.
"Most of the children in our study have suffered from persistent fever and arthritis for years. Additionally, they have
suffered from side effects resulting from conventional medications. Through this research, we found that we could not only
control the disease, but also allow these children to grow and carry out normal lives," said Dr. Pascual.
In collaboration with researchers from Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas, the BIIR team identified children
with this form of juvenile arthritis who had not responded to other treatment regimens. They discovered that white blood
cells from these SoJIA patients expressed higher levels of certain immune system genes than white blood cells from healthy
individuals. They also found that blood serum from the SoJIA patients caused healthy white blood cells to start
overexpressing these genes and to secrete higher levels of interleukin-1b. Interleukins are proteins made by white blood
cells that help regulate the immune system. The researchers observed that higher IL-1b secretion also occurred in SoJIA
patients.
"We felt that oversecretion of IL-1b might play a significant role in SoJIA and that inhibiting IL-1b activity could be
beneficial," said Dr. Banchereau, director, BIIR.
To test this hypothesis, nine SoJIA patients received a drug, called Anakinra, which inactivated IL-1. Anakinra, marketed by
Amgen, is a genetically engineered version of the IL-1 receptor that has been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. All nine
patients responded to the therapy. Seven patients had systemic symptoms, such as fever. A week after the first treatment the
fever was gone from all seven and did not return for the length of the one-year follow up. Eight of the nine had active
arthritis. In these patients, the researchers observed decreases in the arthritic symptoms in the joints as well as
improvement of hemoglobin levels, white blood cell count and a number of other indicators of arthritis. They found that the
therapy completely restored the function of six of the eight patients and lessened the symptoms of the remaining two.
The findings were also presented by Dr. Pascual at the recent Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies Meeting held in
Boston.
Dallas-based Baylor Institute for Immunology Research is the immunology research component of Baylor Research Institute, an
affiliate of Baylor Health Care System. Opened in 1996, Baylor Institute for Immunology Research brings laboratory scientists
and clinicians together in an effort to increase understanding of how the immune system works. The institute is devoted to
translating basic laboratory discoveries made about the immune system into effective treatments for humans. This
interdisciplinary program focuses on developing new therapies, such as dendritic cell therapy, which involves the use of
dendritic cells to modulate the immune response in beneficial ways to treat cancer, infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases,
and transplant rejection.
For more information about Baylor Institute for Immunology Research, visit baylorhealth.
from the Baylor Institute for Immunology Research in Dallas (BIIR), report on the successful treatment of children with
systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SoJIA). The findings are highly significant for SoJIA patients for whom
previous therapies have failed.
Approximately 250,000 children in the U.S. suffer from juvenile arthritis. SoJIA accounts for about 10 percent of all
juvenile arthritis cases with unknown causes. Early symptoms, which often go undiagnosed, may include fever and a rash. As
the disease progresses, anemia and other blood-related issues develop, as do inflammation and joint pain. Depending on the
duration and severity of the disease long-term disabilities may develop.
"Most of the children in our study have suffered from persistent fever and arthritis for years. Additionally, they have
suffered from side effects resulting from conventional medications. Through this research, we found that we could not only
control the disease, but also allow these children to grow and carry out normal lives," said Dr. Pascual.
In collaboration with researchers from Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas, the BIIR team identified children
with this form of juvenile arthritis who had not responded to other treatment regimens. They discovered that white blood
cells from these SoJIA patients expressed higher levels of certain immune system genes than white blood cells from healthy
individuals. They also found that blood serum from the SoJIA patients caused healthy white blood cells to start
overexpressing these genes and to secrete higher levels of interleukin-1b. Interleukins are proteins made by white blood
cells that help regulate the immune system. The researchers observed that higher IL-1b secretion also occurred in SoJIA
patients.
"We felt that oversecretion of IL-1b might play a significant role in SoJIA and that inhibiting IL-1b activity could be
beneficial," said Dr. Banchereau, director, BIIR.
To test this hypothesis, nine SoJIA patients received a drug, called Anakinra, which inactivated IL-1. Anakinra, marketed by
Amgen, is a genetically engineered version of the IL-1 receptor that has been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. All nine
patients responded to the therapy. Seven patients had systemic symptoms, such as fever. A week after the first treatment the
fever was gone from all seven and did not return for the length of the one-year follow up. Eight of the nine had active
arthritis. In these patients, the researchers observed decreases in the arthritic symptoms in the joints as well as
improvement of hemoglobin levels, white blood cell count and a number of other indicators of arthritis. They found that the
therapy completely restored the function of six of the eight patients and lessened the symptoms of the remaining two.
The findings were also presented by Dr. Pascual at the recent Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies Meeting held in
Boston.
Dallas-based Baylor Institute for Immunology Research is the immunology research component of Baylor Research Institute, an
affiliate of Baylor Health Care System. Opened in 1996, Baylor Institute for Immunology Research brings laboratory scientists
and clinicians together in an effort to increase understanding of how the immune system works. The institute is devoted to
translating basic laboratory discoveries made about the immune system into effective treatments for humans. This
interdisciplinary program focuses on developing new therapies, such as dendritic cell therapy, which involves the use of
dendritic cells to modulate the immune response in beneficial ways to treat cancer, infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases,
and transplant rejection.
For more information about Baylor Institute for Immunology Research, visit baylorhealth.
среда, 7 сентября 2011 г.
Orencia(R) (Abatacept) Demonstrates Consistent Safety And Effectiveness Over 7 Years
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) announced results of two ORENCIA® (abatacept) studies at the 2009 Annual European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR) currently being held in Copenhagen, Denmark.
I. Phase IIb 100 trial (7 years)[1]
The first, a long-term extension (LTE) study, analysed ORENCIA's safety and efficacy profile over 7 years of treatment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who have had an inadequate response to methotrexate (MTX).
Study design
During the 1 year randomised, double-blind (DB) placebo controlled period of this Phase IIb study, 339 patients with active RA and an inadequate response to MTX were randomised to receive either ORENCIA plus MTX or placebo plus MTX. On completion of the DB period, 219 patients entered the open-label LTE, receiving a fixed dose of ORENCIA 10 mg/kg (according to weight range) plus MTX every 4 weeks. During the LTE, safety assessments were performed once a month, and efficacy assessments quarterly.
Outcomes
During the LTE, treatment with ORENCIA and MTX in combination was generally well tolerated, with no increase in the frequency of safety events over time. The cumulative incidence of adverse events (AEs) was 366.1 per 100 patient years, serious AEs was 17.4 per 100 patient years and serious infections was 3.18 per 100 patient years. These data are consistent with previous data on ORENCIA in combination with MTX.
After 7 years, over half (52.1%) of ORENCIA patients (n=85) entering the LTE period remained on treatment. Over this 7 year period, discontinuations due to lack of efficacy and AEs were 11.0% and 19.2%, respectively.
While the LTE was principally designed to examine the long-term safety of ORENCIA, efficacy data were also collected (as observed) in those patients who remained in the LTE. At 7 years, of those patients still on ORENCIA (n=85):
- 69.7% achieved a low disease activity score (LDAS)
- 51.5% achieved remission (DAS28-CRP defined)
- 51.4% achieved an ACR 70 score
"The relevance of these long-term data should not be underestimated for a chronic and progressive disease such as rheumatoid arthritis," commented Professor Ren?© Westhovens, University Hospital Leuven, Belgium. "These patients have to live with the disease, and in many cases, undergo treatment, for the rest of their lives. For both patients and clinicians therefore, it is important that a treatment has a proven long-term safety and efficacy profile.
As part of a comprehensive clinical trial programme, ORENCIA's safety profile has already been studied through more than 10,000 patient years of exposure. These new data further reinforce ORENCIA, in combination with MTX, as a proven treatment option for moderate to severe active RA in adult patients who have had an insufficient response or intolerance to other disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, including at least one tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor.[2]
II. AIM trial (5 years)[3]
The second study, also presented in Copenhagen this week is the AIM (Abatacept in Inadequate responders to Methotrexate) study LTE, which reinforces the long-term safety and efficacy profile of ORENCIA.
Study design
Of the 433 ORENCIA and 219 placebo treated patients who completed the 1 year, randomised DB, placebo controlled AIM trial, 378 ORENCIA and 161 placebo treated patients entered the open-label LTE period, receiving ORENCIA [~10 mg/kg] plus MTX.
Outcomes: efficacy & safety
ORENCIA patient retention rates remained high in the AIM LTE, with 70.4% of patients (n=266/378) remaining on treatment with ORENCIA plus MTX at year 5. Of these, 33.7% achieved clinical remission (DAS28 defined), and ACR 20, 50 and 70 response rates were 83.6%, 61.1% and 39.6%, respectively, at 5 years.
The types and incidence of AEs and serious AEs were similar between the DB and cumulative (combined DB + LTE) phases. During the DB phase, incidence rates of AEs were 303.4 per 100 patient years and serious AEs, 17.7 per 100 patient years. During the cumulative phase, incidence rates of AEs were 242.3 per 100 patient years and serious AEs, 13.9 per 100 patient years. Incidence rates of serious infections were 4.2 per 100 patient years in the DB period and 2.8 per 100 patient years in the cumulative phase.
Outcomes: inhibition of structural damage progression[4]
X-ray data from the AIM LTE, also presented at EULAR this week, demonstrated that over 5 years, ORENCIA inhibited structural damage progression in the majority of patients on treatment. 45.1% of patients (n=120) assessed at year 5 continued to show no progression in structural damage. 98% of patients who were non-progressors during years 1-4 remained non-progressors at year 5.
About ORENCIA
ORENCIA is a selective co-stimulation modulator of T-cell activation. ORENCIA is designed to prevent full T-cell activation and inhibit the release of chemicals leading to joint inflammation and destruction as observed in RA.[5]
ORENCIA is the first biologic discovered and developed in Bristol-Myers Squibb research centres and was approved in May 2007 by the European Commission.
ORENCIA in combination with methotrexate is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis in adult patients who have had an insufficient response or intolerance to other disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs including at least one tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor.
A reduction in the progression of joint damage and improvement of physical function have been demonstrated during combination treatment with ORENCIA and methotrexate.
The safety profile of ORENCIA has been studied through more than 10,000 patient-years of exposure and has demonstrated a consistent safety profile to 7 years.[2]
Medicinal products, including ORENCIA, which affect the immune system, may affect host defences against infections and malignancies. Serious infections, at least possibly related to treatment, were reported in 1.8% of patients with ORENCIA and in 1.0% of patients not treated by ORENCIA (receiving placebo). There is a need to evaluate and monitor patients regarding the risk of infection prior to and during treatment. In the placebo-controlled clinical trials, the frequency of malignancies with ORENCIA was 1.4% and with placebo 1.1%. These rates are similar to that observed in the general RA population.[6]
ORENCIA, like other biologics, is contraindicated in patients with severe and uncontrolled infections such as sepsis and opportunistic infections and in patients with hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients. Allergic reactions have been reported uncommonly with ORENCIA in clinical trials, where patients were not required to be pretreated to prevent allergic reactions. In the case of any serious allergic/anaphylactic reaction, ORENCIA should be discontinued.
About Rheumatoid Arthritis
RA is a systemic, chronic, autoimmune disease characterised by inflammation in the lining of joints (or synovium), causing joint damage with chronic pain, stiffness and swelling. RA causes limited range of motion and decreased function as a result of affected joints losing their shape and alignment. RA may affect up to 7 million people in Europe.[7],[8]
References:
[1] Westhovens, R et al. Consistent Safety and Sustained Improvement in Disease Activity and Treatment Response Over 7 Years of Abatacept Treatment in Biologic-Na??ve Patients with RA. EULAR 2009, abstract no. FRI0108.
[2] Smitten, A et al. Descriptive Analysis of Serious Infections, Hospitalized Infections and Malignancies Over Time in the Abatacept Clinical Development Program: A Safety Update with >10,000 Person-Years of Exposure. EULAR 2008, abstract no. 1065.
[3] Kremer JM et al. Abatacept Demonstrates Consistent Safety and Sustained Improvements in Efficacy Through 5 Years of Treatment in Biologic-Na??ve Patients with RA. EULAR 2009, abstract no. FRI0263.
[4] Genant, HK el al. Abatacept Increases the Proportion of Patients who Remain Free From Structural Damage Progression Through 5 Years in Methotrexate Inadequate Responders with RA.EULAR 2009, abstract no. FRI0253.
[5] Kremer, JM et al. Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis by Selective Inhibition of T-Cell Activation with Fusion Protein CTLA4Ig. N. Engl. J. Med. 2003;349:1907-1915.
[6] Simon, T et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2006;65(Suppl II):489.
[7] United Nations. 2008 Revision Population Database. esa.un/unpp/ Accessed 14-05-09.
[8] Symons, D et al. The Global Burden of Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Year 2000. See here. Accessed 14-05-09.
Source
Bristol-Myers Squibb
View drug information on Orencia.
I. Phase IIb 100 trial (7 years)[1]
The first, a long-term extension (LTE) study, analysed ORENCIA's safety and efficacy profile over 7 years of treatment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who have had an inadequate response to methotrexate (MTX).
Study design
During the 1 year randomised, double-blind (DB) placebo controlled period of this Phase IIb study, 339 patients with active RA and an inadequate response to MTX were randomised to receive either ORENCIA plus MTX or placebo plus MTX. On completion of the DB period, 219 patients entered the open-label LTE, receiving a fixed dose of ORENCIA 10 mg/kg (according to weight range) plus MTX every 4 weeks. During the LTE, safety assessments were performed once a month, and efficacy assessments quarterly.
Outcomes
During the LTE, treatment with ORENCIA and MTX in combination was generally well tolerated, with no increase in the frequency of safety events over time. The cumulative incidence of adverse events (AEs) was 366.1 per 100 patient years, serious AEs was 17.4 per 100 patient years and serious infections was 3.18 per 100 patient years. These data are consistent with previous data on ORENCIA in combination with MTX.
After 7 years, over half (52.1%) of ORENCIA patients (n=85) entering the LTE period remained on treatment. Over this 7 year period, discontinuations due to lack of efficacy and AEs were 11.0% and 19.2%, respectively.
While the LTE was principally designed to examine the long-term safety of ORENCIA, efficacy data were also collected (as observed) in those patients who remained in the LTE. At 7 years, of those patients still on ORENCIA (n=85):
- 69.7% achieved a low disease activity score (LDAS)
- 51.5% achieved remission (DAS28-CRP defined)
- 51.4% achieved an ACR 70 score
"The relevance of these long-term data should not be underestimated for a chronic and progressive disease such as rheumatoid arthritis," commented Professor Ren?© Westhovens, University Hospital Leuven, Belgium. "These patients have to live with the disease, and in many cases, undergo treatment, for the rest of their lives. For both patients and clinicians therefore, it is important that a treatment has a proven long-term safety and efficacy profile.
As part of a comprehensive clinical trial programme, ORENCIA's safety profile has already been studied through more than 10,000 patient years of exposure. These new data further reinforce ORENCIA, in combination with MTX, as a proven treatment option for moderate to severe active RA in adult patients who have had an insufficient response or intolerance to other disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, including at least one tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor.[2]
II. AIM trial (5 years)[3]
The second study, also presented in Copenhagen this week is the AIM (Abatacept in Inadequate responders to Methotrexate) study LTE, which reinforces the long-term safety and efficacy profile of ORENCIA.
Study design
Of the 433 ORENCIA and 219 placebo treated patients who completed the 1 year, randomised DB, placebo controlled AIM trial, 378 ORENCIA and 161 placebo treated patients entered the open-label LTE period, receiving ORENCIA [~10 mg/kg] plus MTX.
Outcomes: efficacy & safety
ORENCIA patient retention rates remained high in the AIM LTE, with 70.4% of patients (n=266/378) remaining on treatment with ORENCIA plus MTX at year 5. Of these, 33.7% achieved clinical remission (DAS28 defined), and ACR 20, 50 and 70 response rates were 83.6%, 61.1% and 39.6%, respectively, at 5 years.
The types and incidence of AEs and serious AEs were similar between the DB and cumulative (combined DB + LTE) phases. During the DB phase, incidence rates of AEs were 303.4 per 100 patient years and serious AEs, 17.7 per 100 patient years. During the cumulative phase, incidence rates of AEs were 242.3 per 100 patient years and serious AEs, 13.9 per 100 patient years. Incidence rates of serious infections were 4.2 per 100 patient years in the DB period and 2.8 per 100 patient years in the cumulative phase.
Outcomes: inhibition of structural damage progression[4]
X-ray data from the AIM LTE, also presented at EULAR this week, demonstrated that over 5 years, ORENCIA inhibited structural damage progression in the majority of patients on treatment. 45.1% of patients (n=120) assessed at year 5 continued to show no progression in structural damage. 98% of patients who were non-progressors during years 1-4 remained non-progressors at year 5.
About ORENCIA
ORENCIA is a selective co-stimulation modulator of T-cell activation. ORENCIA is designed to prevent full T-cell activation and inhibit the release of chemicals leading to joint inflammation and destruction as observed in RA.[5]
ORENCIA is the first biologic discovered and developed in Bristol-Myers Squibb research centres and was approved in May 2007 by the European Commission.
ORENCIA in combination with methotrexate is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis in adult patients who have had an insufficient response or intolerance to other disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs including at least one tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor.
A reduction in the progression of joint damage and improvement of physical function have been demonstrated during combination treatment with ORENCIA and methotrexate.
The safety profile of ORENCIA has been studied through more than 10,000 patient-years of exposure and has demonstrated a consistent safety profile to 7 years.[2]
Medicinal products, including ORENCIA, which affect the immune system, may affect host defences against infections and malignancies. Serious infections, at least possibly related to treatment, were reported in 1.8% of patients with ORENCIA and in 1.0% of patients not treated by ORENCIA (receiving placebo). There is a need to evaluate and monitor patients regarding the risk of infection prior to and during treatment. In the placebo-controlled clinical trials, the frequency of malignancies with ORENCIA was 1.4% and with placebo 1.1%. These rates are similar to that observed in the general RA population.[6]
ORENCIA, like other biologics, is contraindicated in patients with severe and uncontrolled infections such as sepsis and opportunistic infections and in patients with hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients. Allergic reactions have been reported uncommonly with ORENCIA in clinical trials, where patients were not required to be pretreated to prevent allergic reactions. In the case of any serious allergic/anaphylactic reaction, ORENCIA should be discontinued.
About Rheumatoid Arthritis
RA is a systemic, chronic, autoimmune disease characterised by inflammation in the lining of joints (or synovium), causing joint damage with chronic pain, stiffness and swelling. RA causes limited range of motion and decreased function as a result of affected joints losing their shape and alignment. RA may affect up to 7 million people in Europe.[7],[8]
References:
[1] Westhovens, R et al. Consistent Safety and Sustained Improvement in Disease Activity and Treatment Response Over 7 Years of Abatacept Treatment in Biologic-Na??ve Patients with RA. EULAR 2009, abstract no. FRI0108.
[2] Smitten, A et al. Descriptive Analysis of Serious Infections, Hospitalized Infections and Malignancies Over Time in the Abatacept Clinical Development Program: A Safety Update with >10,000 Person-Years of Exposure. EULAR 2008, abstract no. 1065.
[3] Kremer JM et al. Abatacept Demonstrates Consistent Safety and Sustained Improvements in Efficacy Through 5 Years of Treatment in Biologic-Na??ve Patients with RA. EULAR 2009, abstract no. FRI0263.
[4] Genant, HK el al. Abatacept Increases the Proportion of Patients who Remain Free From Structural Damage Progression Through 5 Years in Methotrexate Inadequate Responders with RA.EULAR 2009, abstract no. FRI0253.
[5] Kremer, JM et al. Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis by Selective Inhibition of T-Cell Activation with Fusion Protein CTLA4Ig. N. Engl. J. Med. 2003;349:1907-1915.
[6] Simon, T et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2006;65(Suppl II):489.
[7] United Nations. 2008 Revision Population Database. esa.un/unpp/ Accessed 14-05-09.
[8] Symons, D et al. The Global Burden of Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Year 2000. See here. Accessed 14-05-09.
Source
Bristol-Myers Squibb
View drug information on Orencia.
воскресенье, 4 сентября 2011 г.
The Gerontological Society Of America Announces 2008 Hartford Faculty Scholars
Ten outstanding geriatric social work faculty members have been chosen as the newest inductees into the Hartford Faculty Scholars Program, a venture funded by the John A. Hartford Foundation, administered by The Gerontological Society of America, and directed by Dr. Barbara Berkman. The individuals who receive this distinction are provided with opportunities for professional development and $100,000 in funding over the next two years for research on topics related to improving health and care for older adults and their caregivers.
Now in its ninth year, the award aims to improve the well-being of older adults by increasing the number of adequately trained geriatric social workers. Listed below are the new faculty scholars and the primary topics of their research.
Richard Beaulaurier, PhD
Florida International University
School of Social Work
Research Focus: Older Latinos and HIV: Provider Perspectives
Victoria Rizzo, PhD
Columbia University
School of Social Work
Research Focus: A Social Work Care Coordination Program for Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Study
Banghwa Lee Casado, PhD
University of Maryland
School of Social Work
Research Focus: An Examination of the Caregiving Experience and Home and Community-Based Services Needs among Caregivers of Older Korean Americans
Louise Quijano, PhD
Colorado State University
School of Social Work
Research Focus: Vida Tranquila II: A Skills-Based Therapeutic Intervention for Older Latino Primary Care Patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Rita Chou, PhD
University of South Carolina
College of Social Work
Research Focus: Job Satisfaction and Productive Aging: A Longitudinal Study of Older Workers Based on a Nationally Representative Sample
Sudershan Pasupuleti, PhD
University of Toledo
Social Work Department
Research Focus: Impact of Computer-Based Brain Fitness Program on Cognitive Functioning and Quality of Life of Older Adults in Public Dwellings
Kim Stansbury, PhD
Eastern Washington University
School of Social Work & Human Services
Research Focus: Attitudes and Knowledge of Older Adults toward Casinos and Disordered Gambling
Marilyn Luptak, PhD
University of Utah
College of Social Work
Research Focus: Caring for Older Adults with Depression: A Family Perspective
Angela Curl, PhD
University of Missouri
School of Social Work
Research Focus: The Impact of Retirement on Heart Problems: A Multilevel Dyadic Analysis of Longitudinal Secondary Data
Scott Wilks, PhD
Louisiana State University
School of Social Work
Research Focus: Examining an Appraisal Model of Burden, Coping, and Resilience: Differences among African American and Caucasian Alzheimer's Caregivers
Berkman, the Helen Rehr/Ruth Fizdale Professor at Columbia University's School of Social Work, works together with a national program committee involved in the selection of Scholars. This committee consists of David E. Biegel of Case Western Reserve University, Letha Chadiha of the University of Michigan, Namkee Choi of the University of Texas at Austin, Ruth Dunkle of the University of Michigan, Nancy R. Hooyman of the University of Washington, Amy Horowitz of the Jewish Home and Hospital Lifecare System, Rosalie A. Kane of the University of Minnesota, Philip McCallion of the State University of New York at Albany, and Victoria Raveis of Columbia University. Ad hoc members include James Lubben of Boston College and the Hartford Doctoral Fellows Program and Jack R. Sellers of the University of North Alabama.
The Gerontological Society of America is the nation's oldest and largest multidisciplinary organization devoted to research, education, and practice in the field of aging. The principal mission of the Society - and its 5,000+ members - is to advance the study of aging and disseminate information among scientists, decision makers, and the general public.
Source: Todd Kluss
The Gerontological Society of America
Now in its ninth year, the award aims to improve the well-being of older adults by increasing the number of adequately trained geriatric social workers. Listed below are the new faculty scholars and the primary topics of their research.
Richard Beaulaurier, PhD
Florida International University
School of Social Work
Research Focus: Older Latinos and HIV: Provider Perspectives
Victoria Rizzo, PhD
Columbia University
School of Social Work
Research Focus: A Social Work Care Coordination Program for Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Study
Banghwa Lee Casado, PhD
University of Maryland
School of Social Work
Research Focus: An Examination of the Caregiving Experience and Home and Community-Based Services Needs among Caregivers of Older Korean Americans
Louise Quijano, PhD
Colorado State University
School of Social Work
Research Focus: Vida Tranquila II: A Skills-Based Therapeutic Intervention for Older Latino Primary Care Patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Rita Chou, PhD
University of South Carolina
College of Social Work
Research Focus: Job Satisfaction and Productive Aging: A Longitudinal Study of Older Workers Based on a Nationally Representative Sample
Sudershan Pasupuleti, PhD
University of Toledo
Social Work Department
Research Focus: Impact of Computer-Based Brain Fitness Program on Cognitive Functioning and Quality of Life of Older Adults in Public Dwellings
Kim Stansbury, PhD
Eastern Washington University
School of Social Work & Human Services
Research Focus: Attitudes and Knowledge of Older Adults toward Casinos and Disordered Gambling
Marilyn Luptak, PhD
University of Utah
College of Social Work
Research Focus: Caring for Older Adults with Depression: A Family Perspective
Angela Curl, PhD
University of Missouri
School of Social Work
Research Focus: The Impact of Retirement on Heart Problems: A Multilevel Dyadic Analysis of Longitudinal Secondary Data
Scott Wilks, PhD
Louisiana State University
School of Social Work
Research Focus: Examining an Appraisal Model of Burden, Coping, and Resilience: Differences among African American and Caucasian Alzheimer's Caregivers
Berkman, the Helen Rehr/Ruth Fizdale Professor at Columbia University's School of Social Work, works together with a national program committee involved in the selection of Scholars. This committee consists of David E. Biegel of Case Western Reserve University, Letha Chadiha of the University of Michigan, Namkee Choi of the University of Texas at Austin, Ruth Dunkle of the University of Michigan, Nancy R. Hooyman of the University of Washington, Amy Horowitz of the Jewish Home and Hospital Lifecare System, Rosalie A. Kane of the University of Minnesota, Philip McCallion of the State University of New York at Albany, and Victoria Raveis of Columbia University. Ad hoc members include James Lubben of Boston College and the Hartford Doctoral Fellows Program and Jack R. Sellers of the University of North Alabama.
The Gerontological Society of America is the nation's oldest and largest multidisciplinary organization devoted to research, education, and practice in the field of aging. The principal mission of the Society - and its 5,000+ members - is to advance the study of aging and disseminate information among scientists, decision makers, and the general public.
Source: Todd Kluss
The Gerontological Society of America
четверг, 1 сентября 2011 г.
Blood Test Can Predict Rheumatoid Arthritis Before Symptoms Arise
Researchers from University Hospital in Umea, Sweden, have identified several cytokines, cytokine-related factors, and chemokines that increase significantly prior to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease onset. These findings confirm those of earlier studies which suggest that the risk of developing RA can be predicted and disease progression may be prevented. Complete findings of this study are published in the February issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by joint inflammation involving the synovial (lubricating fluid of the joints) tissue and eventually leading to destruction of cartilage and bone. The cause leading to disease development and progression is not completely understood, although various cells of the immune system and of synovial origin are suggested to be involved. Numerous cytokines are expressed and are functionally active in the synovial tissue once the disease has developed. Now a research team led by Solbritt Rantap?¤?¤-Dahlqvist, M.D. has found that several of these cytokine levels spike as much as several years prior to the development of arthritic symptoms.
An early and accurate diagnosis of RA is crucial. According to the American College of Rheumatology, RA can be difficult to diagnose because it may begin with only subtle symptoms, such as achy joints or early morning stiffness. Many diseases including lupus, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia, especially early on, mimic the symptoms of RA making diagnosis more difficult. Studies have shown that people who receive early treatment for RA feel better sooner and more often, are more likely to lead an active life, and are less likely to experience the type of joint damage that leads to joint replacement.
To determine whether cytokines, cytokine-related factors, and chemokines are up-regulated prior to the development of RA, and which ones are involved, the team conducted a nested case-control study within the Medical Biobank of Northern Sweden. Blood samples were analyzed from 86 individuals before the appearance of symptoms of RA (pre-patients), from 69 of the pre-patients after the onset of RA, and from 256 matched control subjects (1:3 ratio). A consecutive time-dependent involvement of the immune system in disease development and progression was evaluated. The plasma levels of 30 cytokines, related factors, and chemokines were measured using a multiplex system. Individuals in whom RA subsequently developed were discriminated from control subjects mainly by the presence of Th1 cell-, Th2 cell-, and Treg cell-related cytokines, while chemokines, stromal cell-derived cytokines, and angiogenic-related markers separated patients after the development of RA from individuals before the onset of RA.
"We observed a clear relationship between cytokines related not only to Th1, Th2, and Treg cells but also to Th17 and the presence of anti-CCP antibodies, thereby supporting the concept that the immune system was already stimulated and disease was developing toward RA," explains Dr. Rantap?¤?¤-Dahlqvist. Researchers found that blood samples obtained from individuals had elevated concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines, cytokine-related factors, and chemokines, indicating immune system activation prior to any symptoms of joint involvement. "Our findings present an opportunity for better predicting the risk of developing RA and possibly preventing disease progression," concluded Dr. Rantap?¤?¤-Dahlqvist.
Article: "Up-Regulation of Cytokines and Chemokines Predates the Onset of Rheumatoid Arthritis." Heidi Kokkonen, Ingegerd S?¶derstr?¶m, Joacim Rockl?¶v, G?¶ran Hallmans, Kristina Lejon, and Solbritt Rantap?¤?¤-Dahlqvist. Arthritis & Rheumatism; Published Online: January 28, 2010 (DOI: 10.1002/art.27186); Print Issue Date: February 2010.
Source:
Dawn Peters
Wiley-Blackwell
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by joint inflammation involving the synovial (lubricating fluid of the joints) tissue and eventually leading to destruction of cartilage and bone. The cause leading to disease development and progression is not completely understood, although various cells of the immune system and of synovial origin are suggested to be involved. Numerous cytokines are expressed and are functionally active in the synovial tissue once the disease has developed. Now a research team led by Solbritt Rantap?¤?¤-Dahlqvist, M.D. has found that several of these cytokine levels spike as much as several years prior to the development of arthritic symptoms.
An early and accurate diagnosis of RA is crucial. According to the American College of Rheumatology, RA can be difficult to diagnose because it may begin with only subtle symptoms, such as achy joints or early morning stiffness. Many diseases including lupus, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia, especially early on, mimic the symptoms of RA making diagnosis more difficult. Studies have shown that people who receive early treatment for RA feel better sooner and more often, are more likely to lead an active life, and are less likely to experience the type of joint damage that leads to joint replacement.
To determine whether cytokines, cytokine-related factors, and chemokines are up-regulated prior to the development of RA, and which ones are involved, the team conducted a nested case-control study within the Medical Biobank of Northern Sweden. Blood samples were analyzed from 86 individuals before the appearance of symptoms of RA (pre-patients), from 69 of the pre-patients after the onset of RA, and from 256 matched control subjects (1:3 ratio). A consecutive time-dependent involvement of the immune system in disease development and progression was evaluated. The plasma levels of 30 cytokines, related factors, and chemokines were measured using a multiplex system. Individuals in whom RA subsequently developed were discriminated from control subjects mainly by the presence of Th1 cell-, Th2 cell-, and Treg cell-related cytokines, while chemokines, stromal cell-derived cytokines, and angiogenic-related markers separated patients after the development of RA from individuals before the onset of RA.
"We observed a clear relationship between cytokines related not only to Th1, Th2, and Treg cells but also to Th17 and the presence of anti-CCP antibodies, thereby supporting the concept that the immune system was already stimulated and disease was developing toward RA," explains Dr. Rantap?¤?¤-Dahlqvist. Researchers found that blood samples obtained from individuals had elevated concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines, cytokine-related factors, and chemokines, indicating immune system activation prior to any symptoms of joint involvement. "Our findings present an opportunity for better predicting the risk of developing RA and possibly preventing disease progression," concluded Dr. Rantap?¤?¤-Dahlqvist.
Article: "Up-Regulation of Cytokines and Chemokines Predates the Onset of Rheumatoid Arthritis." Heidi Kokkonen, Ingegerd S?¶derstr?¶m, Joacim Rockl?¶v, G?¶ran Hallmans, Kristina Lejon, and Solbritt Rantap?¤?¤-Dahlqvist. Arthritis & Rheumatism; Published Online: January 28, 2010 (DOI: 10.1002/art.27186); Print Issue Date: February 2010.
Source:
Dawn Peters
Wiley-Blackwell
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