Re: Rituximab Clinical Trial in British Columbia

[Guest guest]

Hi

This info is from the Canadian Arthritis Society news letter

On June 20, 2006, Health Canada approved a new drug to treat people with

moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis. Rituximab (which is also

known by its trade name of Rituxan ®) got the green light to be used in

combination with methotrexate for patients who have had an inadequate

response or intolerance to one or more of the biologics that have been

approved-Enbrel, Remicade, Humira or Kineret.

Interested in a Clinical Trial?

The Arthritis Research Centre of Canada is currently recruiting for an

early RA " trial for rituximab. Patients with RA who have not yet used

methotrexate are being targeted for this trial. One-third will receive

methotrexate and two-thirds will receive methotrexate and rituximab. The

trials are fully funded by the pharmaceutical company, which is a benefit

for qualifying patients who do not have private health care. Patients should

have had very active rheumatoid arthritis for less than five years, positive

RF and no other serious medical problems.

If you are interested in participating, please call at 604 - 871- 4573.