Fw: RISG.ORG News Update http://www.risg.org/newspro/news.txt

[Guest guest]

From: <News@...>

Subject: RISG.ORG News Update http://www.risg.org/newspro/news.txt

>

> ---------------------------------

> Search: Misc. 5-23-02

> ---------------------------------

> Posted Thursday, May 23, 2002 by Rick:

>

> Understanding Scleroderma

> ... a professor of rheumatology at University of California, Los Angeles,

says Raynaud's syndrome is usually the first symptom of scleroderma.

Raynaud's causes the hands to turn white on exposure...... hardening of the

skin that causes it to feel like wood or plastic; fatigue; heartburn;

shortness of breath; and painful joints. Bunis says that when her disease

was......She says when you have a painful, chronic illness like scleroderma,

it's easy to get

> depressed, and she recommends taking anti-depressants...- May 22 11:58 PM

ET

> Found by: News

>

(link:http://story.news./news?tmpl=story & u=/hsn/20020523/hl_hsn/und

erstanding_scleroderma)

http://story.news./news?tmpl=story & u=/hsn/20020523/hl_hsn/understan

ding_scleroderma

>

> Immune System Balance Avoids Autoimmune Diseases new

> UniSci - Apr 17 2002

> Found by: News Full Coverage

> (link:http://unisci.com/stories/20022/0417023.htm)

http://unisci.com/stories/20022/0417023.htm

>

> Biotech Paying Attention to FDA

> ...And it hopes the drug could be useful in other autoimmune disorders,

including rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease and multiple sclerosis....-

May 22 5:09 PM ET

> Found by: News

>

(link:http://story.news./news?tmpl=story & u=/ap/20020522/ap_on_bi_ge

/biotech_decision_1)

http://story.news./news?tmpl=story & u=/ap/20020522/ap_on_bi_ge/biote

ch_decision_1

>

> Centocor Presents Long-Term Data From Accent II Trial With Remicade®

(infliximab) In Maintaining Fistula Closures In Crohn's Patients

> New 54-week data from the ACCENT II clinical trial assessing the

effectiveness of maintenance therapy with REMICADE® in sustaining closure

of draining fistulas in Crohn's disease were reported today at the Digestive

Disease Week meeting in San Francisco.- May 22 3:01 PM ET

> Found by: News

> (link:http://biz./iw/020522/042509.html)

http://biz./iw/020522/042509.html

>

> Factors explaining variance in perceived pain in women with fibromyalgia

(BMC Musculoskel Disord)

>

(link:http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/PaperFrameSet?OpenForm & id=8B7

4FB5E2F132EBC852568FA005CA25A & newsid=8525697700573E1885256BB80055C6CB & u=GOTO

//www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2474/3/12/abstract & ref=)

http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/PaperFrameSet?OpenForm & id=8B74FB5E2

F132EBC852568FA005CA25A & newsid=8525697700573E1885256BB80055C6CB & u=GOTO//www.

biomedcentral.com/1471-2474/3/12/abstract & ref=

>

> Possible association of non-binding of HSP70 to HLA-DRB1 peptide sequences

and protection from rheumatoid arthritis (Immunogenetics)

>

(link:http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/PaperFrameSet?OpenForm & id=8B7

4FB5E2F132EBC852568FA005CA25A & newsid=8525697700573E1885256BBA005E3AE1 & u=GOTO

//link.springer.de/link/service/journals/00251/contents/02/00444/ & ref=)

http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/PaperFrameSet?OpenForm & id=8B74FB5E2

F132EBC852568FA005CA25A & newsid=8525697700573E1885256BBA005E3AE1 & u=GOTO//link

..springer.de/link/service/journals/00251/contents/02/00444/ & ref=

>

>

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rick@...

http://www.risg.org

RISG.ORG News Update http://www.risg.org/newspro/news.txt

>

> http://www.risg.org/newspro/news.txt

>

> ---------------------------------

> Search: Misc. 6-19-02

> ---------------------------------

> Posted Wednesday, June 19, 2002 by Rick:

> 'No new drugs' fear: Govt new

> DIABETICS, people crippled by rheumatoid arthritis and sufferers of

Crohn's disease could miss out on breakthrough new treatments if the Senate

blocks a rise in prescription drug charges.

> Found by: FAST Search (alltheweb.com)

>

(link:http://www.themercury.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,4536446^421

,00.html)

http://www.themercury.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,4536446^421,00.ht

ml

>

> THE SYSTEM new

> Advocacy, for a Price His teenage daughter suffered from Crohn's disease,

a chronic digestive disorder. Compounding the problem was his insurance ...

> Found by: Washington Post

> (link:http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A1406-2002Jun17.html)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A1406-2002Jun17.html

>

> USATODAY.com - Eugene Levy gets serious about IBD new

> Eugene Levy gets serious about IBD By Mike Falcon, Spotlight Health With

medical adviser A. Shoop, M.D. Eugene Levy's performances in the two

American Pie movies helped establish the Second City veteran as one of

Hollywood's funniest comic...

> Found by: USA TODAY

>

(link:http://www.usatoday.com/news/healthscience/health/2002-06-17-ibd.htm)

http://www.usatoday.com/news/healthscience/health/2002-06-17-ibd.htm

>

> Officials Confront Gray Areas of Smallpox Policy new

> ... infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV ( news - web

sites)) and those with autoimmune diseases such as lupus....- Jun 17 10:30

AM ET

> Found by: News

>

(link:http://story.news./news?tmpl=story & u=/nm/20020617/hl_nm/small

pox_policy_1)

http://story.news./news?tmpl=story & u=/nm/20020617/hl_nm/smallpox_po

licy_1

>

> Arthritis drug born here 'improved patients' lives' new

> WORCESTER -- A rheumatoid arthritis drug developed in Worcester was safe

and effective when used alone or with other drugs for up to two-and-a-half

years, according to study results released yesterday in Europe.

> Found by: FAST Search (alltheweb.com)

> (link:http://www.telegram.com/news/page_one/abbott.html)

http://www.telegram.com/news/page_one/abbott.html

>

> ---------------------------------

> Search results : spondyloarthropathies from http://www.docguide.com/

> ---------------------------------

> Posted Wednesday, June 19, 2002 by Rick:

> http://www.docguide.com/

>

> Confirming mycobacterial involvement in arthritis

> A DGReview of : " Detection of mycobacteria in joint samples from patients

with arthritis using a genus-specific polymerase chain reaction and sequence

analysis "

> Rheumatology Online

>

> 06/23/1999

> By Short

>

>

> Mycobacterial genus-specific PCR may be useful in confirming clinical

suspicion of a mycobacterial infection in a joint.

>

> This was the conclusion of a study involving 100 patients.

>

> The study was designed to examine the diagnostic potential of molecular

biological techniques as well as to investigate the pathogenetic role of

mycobacteria in chronic arthritis.

> Myocobacteria have been previously implicated in the pathogenesis of some

forms of arthritis.

> Says Dr IM van der Heijden, Department of Rheumatology, Leiden Unviersity

Medical Centre, The Netherlands: " The results

> suggest that the mycobacterial genus-specific PCR applied on DNA extracts

isolated directly from joint samples may be

> employed as an additional diagnostic tool in the case of clinical

suspicion of a mycobacterial infection. "

> Dr van der Heijden added that no evidence of a pathogenetic role of

mycobacteria in seronegative spondyloarthropathies,

> undifferentiated arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis was found in this

study.

>

> ===================================================

>

> A new look at reactive arthritis

> A DGReview of : " Two forms of reactive arthritis? "

> ls of the Rheumatic Diseases

>

> 01/21/2000

> By Mark Greener

>

>

> Infections outside the joint can trigger inflammatory arthritis.

Currently, these are known as either " reactive " or

> " post-infectious " arthritis, with the classification usually based on

HLA-B27 status and the causative agent. A recent

> paper, however, proposed a new classification.

> The authors suggest describing all cases as " reactive arthritis " for

greater clarity. They propose further dividing this

> broad class according to the trigger's association with HLA-B27.

> The authors note that factors other than the causative agents and HLA-B27

association distinguish the two forms of reactive

> arthritis. For example, HLA-B27-associated arthritis may lead to a

manifestation identical to Reiter's syndrome, including

> uretheritis and conjunctivitis.

> This contrasts with the non-associated form, where no studies describe

this similarity. Moreover, the authors note that only

> B27-associated arthritis belongs to the spondyloarthropathies.

>

> Two forms of reactive arthritis?

> Paavo Toivanen, Auli Toivanen

> Turku Immunology Centre, Departments of Medical Microbiology and Medicine,

Turku University, Turku, Finland

> Correspondence to: Dr P Toivanen, Department of Medical Microbiology,

Turku University, FIN-20520 Turku, Finland

> Accepted for publication 26 August 1999

>

> Inflammatory arthritides developing after a distant infection have so far

been called reactive or postinfectious, quite often depending on the

microbial trigger and/or HLA-B27 status of the patient. For clarity, it is

proposed that they all should be called reactive arthritis, which, according

to the trigger, occurs as an HLA-B27 associated or non-associated form. In

addition to the causative agents and HLA-B27, these two categories are also

distinguished by other characteristics.

> Most important, HLA-B27 associated arthritis may occur identical to the

Reiter's syndrome with accompanying uretheritis and/or conjunctivitis,

whereas in the B27 non-associated form this has not been clearly described.

Likewise, only the B27 associated form belongs to the group of

spondyloarthropathies.

>

> ========================================================

>

> Understanding Juvenile Spondyloarthropathy

> A DGReview of : " Juvenile spondyloarthropathies "

> Current Opinion in Rheumatology

>

> 08/17/2000

> By Mark Greener

>

>

> Juvenile spondyloarthropathy is a potentially disabling condition, so

diagnosis and treatment needs to be rapid and effective.

> Against this background, a recent review considered the diagnosis,

immunology and treatment of children with spondyloarthropathies.

> Clinical manifestations of spondyloarthropathies arise, at least in part,

through the balance of cytokines expressed by the patient. For example,

anti-inflammatory cytokines contribute to the milder forms of juvenile

arthritis, including juvenile spondyloarthropathies.

>

> Nevertheless, the patients' genotype is influential in determining

outcome. Studies of Mexican spondyloarthropathy patients, including 80

suffering with juvenile spondyloarthropathy, for instance, linked the

low-molecular-weight polypeptide gene polymorphism with increased

susceptibility to acute anterior uveitis.

>

> Against this background, rapid diagnosis and treatment helps optimise

outcome. For example, the authors note that magnetic resonance imaging

enhances the detection of sacroiliitis among children with

spondyloarthropathies.

> Currently, sulfasalazine is the first-line therapy. The review concluded

that sulfasalazine is safe and effective for children suffering with

arthritis, including juvenile spondyloarthropathy. Nevertheless, a study

that enrolled children whose spondyloarthropathy was in remission suggested

that physical fitness declined as they got older.

>

> =====================================================================

>

> High Soluble Human Leucocyte Antigen Molecules Identified In Rheumatoid

Arthritis

> A DGReview of : " Soluble HLA class I antigens in serum and synovial fluid

from patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other arthropathies "

> Rheumatology Online

>

> 01/04/2002

> By Rose

>

> There is a notably higher presence of soluble human leucocyte antigen

molecules in serum and synovial fluid from patients with rheumatoid

arthritis (RA) compared with whose with osteoarthritis.

> Spanish clinicians say that this correlated inversely with variables of

disease activity in-patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

> Researchers from the Hospital Universitario La Paz at the Universidad

Autonoma de Madrid, undertook studies of clinical and

> analytical data, together with serum samples from 300 patients to

investigate the presence of soluble human leucocyte

> antigens (s-HLA) class-1 in serum and synovial fluid (SF). The group

comprised 122 patients with RA, 38 with osteoarthritis

> or osteoporosis, 29 who had seronegative spondyloarthropathies, and 45

with other rheumatic diseases. The control group consisted of 66 healthy

subjects.

> There were slightly higher mean concentrations of s-HLA molecules

identified in the serum of patients with RA (1.2 µg/m) by

> comparison with the other groups (1.08,1.011, 1.09 and 0.94 µg/ml)

respectively. There was no correlation seen between serums-HLA levels and

variables of inflammatory disease activity in patients with RA.

> Researchers noted the presence of s-HLA molecules in serum fluid at levels

correlating with those in serum. (P=0.04;r=0.4).

> Soluble-HLA levels were also noted to be higher in the SF from patients

with RA (1.3 µg/ml) or crystal-induced arthritis

> (0.98 µg/ml) than in the SF of those with osteoarthritis (0.38 µg/ml) (P

<0.05 and P <0.005 respectively.

> These levels correlated inversely significantly with the visual analogue

scale of pain score (P=0.02), the number of painful

> joints (P=0.05) and the C-reactive protein level (P=0.03) in patients with

RA Soluble HLA class I antigens in serum and synovial fluid from patients

with rheumatoid arthritis and other arthropathies

> S. Muñoz-Fernández, J. Martín1, E. Martín-Mola, M. C. García-1,

M. Cantalejo, G. Fontán1 and A. Ferreira1

> Rheumatology and

> 1 Immunology Units, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Universidad Autónoma de

Madrid, Madrid, Spain

> Objectives. To investigate the presence of soluble HLA class I (s-HLA)

antigens in serum and synovial fluid (SF) from a large cohort of rheumatic

patients.

> Methods. We studied clinical and analytical data and serum samples from

300 patients [122 patients with rheumatoid arthritis

> (RA), 38 with osteoarthritis or osteoporosis, 29 with seronegative

spondyloarthropathies, 45 patients with other rheumatic

> diseases] and 66 healthy controls. In addition, we studied 25 paired

samples of serum and SF from these groups of subjects.

> In RA patients, we examined whether the levels of s-HLA in serum and SF

were related to the activity of the disease.

> Results. The mean concentrations of s-HLA molecules in serum were slightly

higher in RA patients (1.2 µg/ml) than in the

> other four groups (1.08, 1.01, 1.09 and 0.94 µg/ml respectively). We found

no correlation between serum s-HLA levels and any

> variable of inflammatory disease activity in RA patients. s-HLA molecules

were found in SF and at levels that correlated

> with those found in serum (P=0.04; r=0.4). Furthermore, s-HLA levels were

higher in SF from patients with RA (1.3 µg/ml) or

> crystal-induced arthritis (0.98 µg/ml) than in SF from those with

osteoarthritis (0.38 µg/ml) (P<0.05 and P<0.005 respectively), and these

levels were correlated inversely and significantly with the score on the

visual analogue scale of pain (P=0.02), the number of painful joints

(P=0.05) and the level of C-reactive protein (P=0.03) in RA patients.

> Conclusions. This is the first report to demonstrate the presence of s-HLA

molecules in SF at levels that correlate with

> serum levels. The mean levels of s-HLA molecules were significantly higher

in SF from patients with RA and crystal-induced

> arthritis than in SF from cases of osteoarthritis, and correlated

inversely with certain variables of disease activity in RA

> patients.

>

> KEY WORDS: s-HLA, Arthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis.

>

> Correspondence to: S. Muñoz Fernández, Servicio de Reumatología, Hospital

Universitario La Paz, Paseo de la Castellana 261,

>

> 28046 Madrid, Spain.

>

>

============================================================================

===

>

> Radiological Screening Key For Some Psoriatic Arthritis Patients

> A DGReview of : " Prevalence and Predictors of Cervical Involvement in

Psoriatic Spondyloarthropathy "

> JCR: Journal of Clinical Rheumatology

>

> 02/20/2002

> By Anne MacLennan

>

> Previous reports of a high frequency of cervical spondylitis among

patients with psoriatic spondyloarthropathy have been confirmed.

> Furthermore, clinical symptoms of cervical pain and stiffness are not a

universal predictor of involvement of the cervical spine, this study shows.

> Thus, patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) with longer disease duration

and erosive disease should be screened

>

> radiologically to detect those cervical lesions (ie, atlantoaxial

subluxation) with potential catastrophic complications, these authors

underline.

> This retrospective cross-sectional study of the prevalence and predictors

of cervical involvement in psoriatic

> spondyloarthropathy was done by Rubén Queiro and colleagues from Hospital

San Agustín, Avilés-Asturias; Hospital Nuestra

> Señora de Aránzazu, San Sebastian-Guipúzcoa; and Hospital Monte Naranco,

Oviedo-Asturias, all in Spain.

> Cervical spondylitis is reported to occur between 35 and 75 percent of PsA

patients, and this likely represents the highest

> frequency of cervical involvement among the spondyloarthropathies.

However, although two patterns of cervical spondylitis have been recognized

in PsA, this may reflect a lack of a satisfactory definition of cervical

spondylitis in PsA.

> The researchers analysed the clinical records of 100 consecutive patients

at a single university hospital who were diagnosed

> as having psoriatic spondyloarthropathy on the basis of radiographic

sacroiliitis. All of the patients were involved in a

> clinicoradiologic study of the cervical column to evaluate the frequency

and predictors of this involvement.

> Forty-one patients showed radiographic signs of cervical involvement, and

24 of them (58.5 percent) complained of cervical

> pain and stiffness, whereas 17 (41.5 percent) had radiologic disease with

no symptoms. Both arthritis duration and

> peripheral erosive disease were found to be associated with cervical

spondylitis development.

> None of the patients in this study developed neurologic sequellae.

> The finding that clinical symptoms of cervical pain and stiffness are not

a universal predictor of involvement of the

> cervical spine underline the need for patients with PsA with longer

disease duration and erosive disease to be screened

> radiologically, these authors conclude.

> =====================================================

>

> SAPHO Syndrome Like Yet Distinct From Seronegative Spondyloarthropathies

> A DGReview of : " A Study of Musculoskeletal Manifestations in 12 Patients

with SAPHO Syndrome "

> JCR: Journal of Clinical Rheumatology

>

> 02/20/2002

> By Anne MacLennan

> Sites of chronic infection by the synovitis, acne, pustulosis,

hyperostosis, and osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome need aggressive

> antibiotic therapy and, possibly, surgical resection, say researchers.

> A study of musculoskeletal manifestations in a group of patients with

SAPHO syndrome indicates that it may present with

> clinical manifestations similar to those seen with seronegative

spondyloarthropathies. However, this syndrome has

> distinctive cutaneous, radiographic articular and bone manifestations.

>

> Until now, synovium and synovial fluid findings in SAPHO syndrome have not

been well characterized and only a few patients

> have been described in the Americas. These authors sought to describe

clinical, pathologic, and synovial fluid findings in

> 12 SAPHO patients.

> Jeff P. Steinhoff and colleagues from the Department of Medicine, Rhode

Island Hospital, The Miriam Hospital, Providence,

> Rhode Island, United States, with others from the US and Chile, did this

multicentre study.

> The 12 patients included seven with hidradenitis suppurativa, three with

acne fulminans or conglobata, one with acneiform

> folliculitis and one with palmoplantar pustulosis.

> The doctors performed routine synovial fluid studies in six patients.

Light and transmission electron microscopic studies in

> synovium were done with two patients and in bone in one.

> The most common musculoskeletal manifestations included erosive or

nonerosive oligoarthritis involving metacarpal phalangeal

> (MCP) and metatarsal phalangeal (MTP) joints as seen in nine patients,

sclerosis of the sacroiliac joints as seen in five

> patients, and osteitis pubis as seen in one.

> There were signs of skeletal hyperostosis in three of the patients. Those

with acne fulminans and acneiform folliculitis had

> chronic aseptic multifocal osteomyelitis.

> The synovial fluid was found to be sterile in seven patients, mildly

inflammatory in five and highly inflammatory in two.

> The electron microscopic studies of synovium in two patients and of bone

in one were not useful to detect microorganisms.

> Three African-American patients with hidradenitis suppurativa presented

with pyoderma gangrenosum. Two had leukocytoclastic

> vasculitis and a life threatening course unresponsive to antibiotics,

corticosteroids and immunosuppressive therapy.

> In the Americas, the authors note, SAPHO is most severe in

African-Americans with hidradenitis suppurativa, and it presents

> with heterogeneous musculoskeletal and cutaneous manifestations, including

erosive polyarthritis or oligoarthritis with

> nonspecific mild inflammatory fluid.

> Leukocytoclastic vasculitis and recalcitrant pyoderma gangrenosum were

seen in two of the patients with the most severe

> hidradenitis suppurativa.

> A Study of Musculoskeletal Manifestations in 12 Patients with SAPHO

Syndrome Jeff P. Steinhoff; Ana Cilursu; Gerald F. Falasca; Leonardo Guzman;

J. Reginato Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, The

Miriam Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA (JPS); Atlantic City Medical

Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA (AC); University Medical

Center, Wood School of

> Medicine, Camden, New Jersey, USA (GFF); Head Teaching Program, Division

of Internal Medicine, Salvador Hospital, University

> of Chile, Santiago, Chile (LG); Professor of Medicine, Chief Rheumatology

Section, University Medical Center,

> Wood Medical Center, Camden New Jersey, USA (AJR).

> JCR: JOURNAL OF CLINICAL RHEUMATOLOGY 2002;8:13-22

>

> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

------

>

> JCR: Journal of Clinical Rheumatology 2002;8:13-22. " A Study of

Musculoskeletal Manifestations in 12 Patients with SAPHO Syndrome "

> Synovium and synovial fluid findings in SAPHO (synovitis, acne,

pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis) syndrome have not

> been well characterized, and only a few patients have been described in

the Americas. We describe clinical, pathologic, and

> synovial fluid findings in 12 patients with the SAPHO syndrome:

hidradenitis suppurativa (7), acne fulminans or conglobata

> (3), acneiform folliculitis (1) and palmoplantar pustulosis (1). Routine

synovial fluid studies were performed in 6

> patients, and light and transmission electron microscopic studies were

performed in synovium in 2 patients and in bone in 1.

> The most common musculoskeletal manifestations included erosive or

nonerosive oligoarthritis involving metacarpal phalangeal

> (MCP) and metatarsal phalangeal (MTP) joints as seen in 9 patients,

sclerosis of the sacroiliac joints as seen in 5

> patients, and osteitis pubis as seen in 1. Three patients had signs of

skeletal hyperostosis. The patients with acne

> fulminans and acneiform folliculitis had chronic aseptic multifocal

osteomyelitis. Synovial fluid was sterile in 7, mildly

> inflammatory in 5, and highly inflammatory in 2. Electron microscopic

studies of synovium in 2 patients and of bone in 1

> were not useful to detect microorganisms. Three African-American patients

with hidradenitis suppurativa presented with

> pyoderma gangrenosum, and 2 of them had leukocytoclastic vasculitis, and a

life threatening course unresponsive to

> antibiotics, corticosteroids and immunosuppressive therapy.

> SAPHO in the Americas is most severe in African-Americans with

hidradenitis suppurativa, and it presents with heterogeneous

> musculoskeletal and cutaneous manifestations including erosive

polyarthritis or oligoarthritis with nonspecific mild

> inflammatory fluid. Leukocytoclastic vasculitis and recalcitrant pyoderma

gangrenosum were seen in 2 of our patients with

> the most severe hidradenitis suppurativa. SAPHO syndrome may present with

clinical manifestations similar to those seen with

> seronegative spondyloarthropathies, but it has distinctive cutaneous,

radiographic articular, and bone manifestations. Sites

> of chronic infection need aggressive antibiotic therapy and may need

surgical resection.

> Key words: SAPHO syndrome; Acneiform folliculitis; Hidradenitis

suppurativa; Palmoplantar pustulosis; Acne fulminans; Acne conglobata

>

>

===========================================================================

>

> FDA Approves Remicade (Infliximab)/Methotrexate Combination to Improve

Physical Function in Rheumatoid Arthritis

>

> MALVERN, PA -- February 28, 2002 -- For the first time, the U.S. Food and

Drug Administration (FDA) has granted marketing approval for a drug shown to

improve physical function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

> Remicade® (infliximab), in combination with methotrexate, is now the only

therapy approved by the FDA to improve physical function, as well as inhibit

the progression of structural damage and reduce signs and symptoms in

patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis who have

had an inadequate response to methotrexate therapy alone. Remicade is the

worldwide market share leader among tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)

therapies and the only biologic drug indicated for the treatment of RA and

Crohn's disease, a potentially devastating gastrointestinal disorder.

>

> More than two million Americans are affected by RA, and many c an become

disabled from the irreversible joint damage caused by the disease, severely

limiting their ability to function -- both in their personal and

professional lives. In fact, studies have shown that as many as 50 percent

of RA patients experience work disability within a decade of diagnosis.

>

> " According to the American College of Rheumatology's Guidelines for the

Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis, the ultimate goal of therapy is to stop

disease progression and return patients to normal activity, " said

Yocum, M.D., Professor of Medicine, Director, Arizona Arthritis Center. " For

the first time we have a therapy that can improve physical function, while

positively impacting quality of life activities such as bathing and

dressing. This is groundbreaking news for patients and physicians. The

results clearly demonstrate that Remicade fulfills a significant unmet

medical need in the treatment of RA. "

>

> Remicade is a monoclonal antibody that specifically targets and

irreversibly binds to TNF-alpha. Overproduction of TNF-alpha is believed to

play a role in not only RA and Crohn's disease, but also in a wide range of

immune-mediated inflammatory disorders in which Remicade is currently being

studied, including ulcerative colitis, psoriasis and spondyloarthropathies,

such as ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis.

>

> SOURCE: Centocor, Inc.

>

>

============================================================================

====

>

> Remicade (Infliximab) Shows Impact on Severe Spondyloarthropathy

>

> GHENT, BELGIUM -- March 11, 2002 -- For the first time, there may be an

effective therapeutic option for severe cases of spondyloarthropathies

(SpA), a group of rheumatic inflammatory diseases that affect the spinal

column, peripheral joints and tendons.

>

> A study, published in the March 6 issue of Arthritis and Rheumatism, found

that patients treated with infliximab (also known as Remicade®) monotherapy,

experienced median improvements in disease activity of 73 and 78 percent as

determined by validated patient and physician global assessment measurement

tools, respectively. In comparison, patients treated with placebo

experienced virtually no response.

>

> " The future of patients suffering from spondyloarthropathy is hopeful, "

stated Professor M. Veys, MD, Ghent University Hospital. " It seems as

if all requirements have been met to allow us to hope that this treatment

will be able to prevent the stiffening of the spinal column and the

destruction of the peripheral joints, and that the quality of life of these

patients will improve considerably. "

>

> Spondyloarthropathies are a group of chronic related disorders of the

joints that include ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and the

arthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or

ulcerative colitis). SpA may also include severe inflammation in the eye

(uveitis). These diseases affect about 1 percent of the total population and

often develop into seriously debilitating conditions with complete

stiffening of the spinal column and destruction of the peripheral joints

(hips, knees, wrists and/or fingers).

>

> Thus far, treatment of these diseases has been limited to the

administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. While these drugs

may help to relieve pain for some patients, they do not impact the

progression of the disease.

>

> Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a messenger molecule (cytokine) that is

released by stimulated immune cells when inflammation occurs and which, in

the case of spondyloarthropathy, induces changes in the bone, joints and

tendons. The objective of the 12-week double-blind, placebo-controlled study

was to confirm the safety and efficacy of infliximab, a monoclonal antibody

that specifically targets TNF-alpha, in forty patients with several

sub-types of spondyloarthropathies.

>

> " The results were impressive with regard to subjective complaints,

symptoms of inflammation of the spinal column and the peripheral joints, and

inflammation markers measured in the blood, " stated Prof. Veys.

>

> These results confirm the findings of a separate, long-term, open-label

study initiated by the department of rheumatology of the RUG [state

University of Ghent, Belgium], involving intravenous injections of

infliximab in 21 patients suffering from various forms SpA (E. Kruithof et

al, Ann Rheum Dis, 2002; 61: 207-212).

>

> SOURCE: University of Ghent

>

>

[Guest guest]

sometimes splits up the URL's and make them non-functional. If this

has happened with this post then you can go to

http://www.risg.org/newspro/news.txt and find functional links. You can

also subscribe at the bottom of the page so you will receive functional

links in an email each week.

Rick Hahn

rick@...

http://www.risg.org

RISG.ORG News Update http://www.risg.org/newspro/news.txt

> http://www.risg.org/newspro/news.txt

>

> ---------------------------------

> Search: Misc. 7-10-02

> ---------------------------------

> Posted Wednesday, July 10, 2002 by Rick:

>

> Drug backed for Crohn's patients new

> Patients with hard-to-treat Crohn's disease are more likely to achieve

long-term remission if they get regular infusions of the rheumatoid drug

Remicade, a new study confirms.

> Found by: MSNBC

> (link:http://www.msnbc.com/news/746869.asp)

http://www.msnbc.com/news/746869.asp

>

> Skin Deep new

> ...Immunex's rheumatoid arthritis remedy, Enbrel; and & 's

Crohn's disease drug Remicade may each prove useful in psoriasis

treatment....- Jul 08 10:01 AM ET

> Found by: News

> (link:http://biz./fo/020708/skin_deep_2.html)

http://biz./fo/020708/skin_deep_2.html

>

> Unraveling the genetics of disease Experts say multiple genes play role in

CrohnÂ's disease, ALS MSNBC STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS WASHINGTON, Oct. 3 Â-

Scientists say they have tracked down additional genes linked to two

incurable disorders: CrohnÂ's

> Found by: MSNBC

> (link:http://www.msnbc.com/news/637465.asp)

http://www.msnbc.com/news/637465.asp

>

> Many with Breast Implants Have 2nd Operation new

> ...The FDA banned silicone breast implants in 1992 over concerns they were

causing autoimmune disease, but limited numbers have been allowed under

rules restricting use to clinical studies....- Jul 10 10:42 AM ET

> Found by: News

>

(link:http://story.news./news?tmpl=story & u=/nm/20020710/hl_nm/impla

nts_women_dc_1)

http://story.news./news?tmpl=story & u=/nm/20020710/hl_nm/implants_wo

men_dc_1

>

> PNNL, Russians team up to fight autoimmune diseasees new

> Fri Jul 05 13:50 EST - Tri-City Herald - Kennewick WA

> Found by: Dogpile

> (link:http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/2002/0705/story3.html)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/2002/0705/story3.html

>

> Lupus expert gets grant new

> July 10, 2002 Hoffman, a professor of internal medicine at MU,

spends most of his time in the lab studying patients with lupus, a

little-known autoimmune disease.

> Found by: FAST Search (alltheweb.com)

> (link:http://digmo.org/news/local/premium/0710local12673.html)

http://digmo.org/news/local/premium/0710local12673.html

>

> Sjögren's syndrome: viewpoint on pathogenesis (Scand J Rheumatol)

>

(link:http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/PaperFrameSet?OpenForm & id=8B7

4FB5E2F132EBC852568FA005CA25A & newsid=852569780017887A85256BE90065E517 & u=GOTO

//rosina.catchword.com/vl=14993111/cl=37/nw=1/rpsv/cgi-bin/linker?ini=tandf &

reqidx=/catchword/tandf/03009742/v31n2x116/s3/p15 & ref=)

http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/PaperFrameSet?OpenForm & id=8B74FB5E2

F132EBC852568FA005CA25A & newsid=852569780017887A85256BE90065E517 & u=GOTO//rosi

na.catchword.com/vl=14993111/cl=37/nw=1/rpsv/cgi-bin/linker?ini=tandf & reqidx

=/catchword/tandf/03009742/v31n2x116/s3/p15 & ref=

>

> Sjögren's syndrome: mechanisms of pathogenesis involve interaction of

immune and neurosecretory systems (Scand J Rheumatol)

>

(link:http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/PaperFrameSet?OpenForm & id=8B7

4FB5E2F132EBC852568FA005CA25A & newsid=852569780017887A85256BE900652C52 & u=GOTO

//rosina.catchword.com/vl=15064848/cl=15/nw=1/rpsv/cgi-bin/linker?ini=tandf &

reqidx=/catchword/tandf/03009742/v31n2x116/s2/p3 & ref=)

http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/PaperFrameSet?OpenForm & id=8B74FB5E2

F132EBC852568FA005CA25A & newsid=852569780017887A85256BE900652C52 & u=GOTO//rosi

na.catchword.com/vl=15064848/cl=15/nw=1/rpsv/cgi-bin/linker?ini=tandf & reqidx

=/catchword/tandf/03009742/v31n2x116/s2/p3 & ref=

>

> Severe Complication of a Commonly Prescribed Drug: Minocycline-Induced

Lupus (J Am Board Fam Pract)

>

(link:http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/PaperFrameSet?OpenForm & id=8B7

4FB5E2F132EBC852568FA005CA25A & newsid=8525697700573E1885256BEC004C3FD7 & u=GOTO

//www.familypractice.com/journal/2002/v15.n03/1503.10/art-1503.10.htm & ref=)

http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/PaperFrameSet?OpenForm & id=8B74FB5E2

F132EBC852568FA005CA25A & newsid=8525697700573E1885256BEC004C3FD7 & u=GOTO//www.

familypractice.com/journal/2002/v15.n03/1503.10/art-1503.10.htm & ref=

>

[Guest guest]

> http://www.risg.org/newspro/news.txt

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Search: Misc. 7-24-02

> ---------------------------------

> Posted Wednesday, July 24, 2002 by Rick:

> Thalidomide for ankylosing spondylitis new

> HealthandAge.com - Jul 18 2002 6:41AM GMT

> Found by: Moreover

>

(link:http://www.healthandage.com/Home/gm=1!gid1=1800;jsessionid=PTcnlFnyMig

I2ClqJB0hXT4V6DeEghxw3Rx7nNnsFQwZxAVMgrmQ!6629866781159986084!180357125!80!7

002)

http://www.healthandage.com/Home/gm=1!gid1=1800;jsessionid=PTcnlFnyMigI2ClqJ

B0hXT4V6DeEghxw3Rx7nNnsFQwZxAVMgrmQ!6629866781159986084!180357125!80!7002

>

> Echocardiographic Evidence of Cardiac Involvement in Ankylosing

Spondylitis

> Cardiac involvement with no clinical manifestations may be seen in

patients with ankylosing spondylitis. During this asymptomatic period,

echocardiographic examination of diastolic function can be used, suggest a

study from Turkey. At the same time, however, further study is critical to

clarify the prognostic significance of diastolic ...

>

(link:http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/EAC/8525697700573E1885256BF10

04BE158?Open & type=DGReview)

http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/EAC/8525697700573E1885256BF1004BE15

8?Open & type=DGReview

>

> Patients try 'camera' pill new

> Doctors are using tiny cameras swallowed as a pill to detect stomach

illness in patients. The capsule endoscopes - about the size of a jelly

bean - transmit information to a belt which stores the images.

> Found by: FAST Search (alltheweb.com)

> (link:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2148973.stm)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2148973.stm

>

> German firm to take over Immunex drug, workers new

> Leukine wasn't the highest-profile drug ever developed by Immunex, but the

people who worked on it have more job security than many of their former

colleagues. About 190 of the...

> Found by: Seattle Times

>

(link:http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex

/display?slug=leukine180 & date=20020718)

http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/displ

ay?slug=leukine180 & date=20020718

>

> FDA OKs Controversial Bowel Drug new

> ... on Wednesday became the only FDA-approved therapy for women with

> constipation-predominant IBS....- Jul 24 2:43 PM ET

> Found by: News

>

(link:http://story.news./news?tmpl=story & u=/ap/20020724/ap_on_he_me

/bowel_drug_1)

http://story.news./news?tmpl=story & u=/ap/20020724/ap_on_he_me/bowel

_drug_1

>

> The measles debate new

> New Scientist - Jul 20 2002 5:58AM GMT

> Found by: Moreover

> (link:http://www.newscientist.com/opinion/opletters.jsp?id=ns235212)

http://www.newscientist.com/opinion/opletters.jsp?id=ns235212

>

> Medical Marijuana Users Get Relief new

> SAN FRANCISCO- Medical marijuana users are immune from criminal

prosecution in California state courts under a ruling by the state's Supreme

Court. Under ...

> Found by: Las Vegas Sun

>

(link:http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/archives/2002/jul/19/0719024

31.html?)

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/archives/2002/jul/19/071902431.htm

l?

>

> Reno public officials slam marijuana ballot measure new

> RENO, Nev. (AP) - A statewide measure headed for the November ballot to

legalize possession of up to three ounces of marijuana marks another step

for a ...

> Found by: Las Vegas Sun

>

(link:http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/archives/2002/jul/21/0721101

15.html?)

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/archives/2002/jul/21/072110115.htm

l?

>

> Friendship Helps Girl Handle Disease new

> ...Both girls have scleroderma, a chronic, sometimes fatal autoimmune

disease related to rheumatoid arthritis and lupus....- Jul 21 3:18 PM ET

Found by: News

>

(link:http://story.news./news?tmpl=story & u=/ap/20020721/ap_on_re_us

/not_so_alone_2)

http://story.news./news?tmpl=story & u=/ap/20020721/ap_on_re_us/not_s

o_alone_2

>

> Fibromyalgia diagnosis numbers growing new

> Independent News Herald - Jul 18 2002 1:10PM GMT

> Found by: Moreover

> (link:http://www.inhnews.com/year02/july/july17/fibro.html)

http://www.inhnews.com/year02/july/july17/fibro.html