Rheumatoid arthritis drug may alleviate rare genetic disease
There are several Canadian prescriptions that can help treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis at a fraction of what they would cost in the U.S.
There are several Canadian prescriptions that can help treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis at a fraction of what they would cost in the U.S. One such product is Kineret, which the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) has recently studied for its possible benefits in treating a rare genetic disease.
Neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease (NOMID) causes chronic inflammation which may lead to organ failure. Patients may develop blindness, hearing loss, rashes, meningitis or mental retardation. About one-fifth of children with this disease do not live to adulthood, said NIAMS researcher Raphaela Goldbach-Mansky.
Because Kineret blocks the activity of interleukin-1 (IL-1), which is a protein that is overproduced in cases of NOMID, the scientists decided to test its effects in a clinical trial on patients, aged 10 months to 42 years, who had the disease. Kineret regimens lasted between 36 and 60 months.
The initial treatments were not effective, but after increasing the dosages, the scientists were able to preserve organ function. These effects last only for as long as the drug is taken.
"We are continuing the study with an emphasis on enrolling very young children to prospectively show that we can prevent any organ damage from developing if we start treatment early in life," Goldbach-Mansky said.
The study was published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism.
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