Practice

UK Researchers Hope Adalimumab Will Prove to be Cost Effective in Dupuytren Disease

May 4th 2019

Dupuytren disease (DD), a common, fibroproliferative condition of the hand that can cause contracture of the fingers, currently has no approved treatment for its early stages, and surgical intervention is often required as the disease progresses.

Biosimilar Infliximab, Zessly, Maintains Safety and Efficacy Under Extended In-Use Conditions

May 3rd 2019

By The Center for Biosimilars Staff

The authors concluded that the physiochemical and biological analyses demonstrated that the biosimilar is not affected by reconstitution, dilution, and extended storage in infusion bags. These findings, they write, provide added reassurance to healthcare providers that the biosimilar is safe and effective under extended in-use conditions.

ACR and AF Release Guidelines for 2 Subtypes of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

May 2nd 2019

By Allison Inserro

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and the Arthritis Foundation (AF) released guidelines for treating 2 subtypes of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), which affects nearly 300,000 children in the United States. One guideline discusses therapeutic approaches for non-systemic polyarthritis, sacroiliitis, and enthesitis; the other focuses on the screening, monitoring, and treatment of JIA with associated uveitis. The second guideline focuses on uveitis, which can be a chronic or acute disease.

Eculizumab May Allow Patients With MG to Reduce Immunosuppressive Therapy

May 2nd 2019

By Kelly Davio

The researchers wrote that that a numerically larger proportion of patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) stopped or reduced their doses of immunosuppressive therapies than started or increased, and that symptom improvement or worsening were the main reasons for changes to concomitant therapy.

Study Finds That Disability in RA Begins 1 to 2 Years Before Diagnosis

May 1st 2019

By Allison Inserro

Functional disabilities start to appear in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) 1 to 2 years before diagnosis, signaling that earlier diagnosis and more aggressive treatment may lessen the burden of disease, according to a study released today.

Use of Retail Pharmacies Linked to Higher Nonadherence in RA

April 27th 2019

By Allison Inserro

A recent exploratory study found signs that retail pharmacies may be associated with higher nonadherence to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) medications.

Switching Between Biosimilar Infliximab Products Not Associated With AEs or Change in PASI

April 26th 2019

By Kelly Davio

This week, dermatology experts are gathering in Paris, France, for the 6th Congress of Skin Inflammation and Psoriasis International Network to discuss advances in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases. During the congress, researchers from the University of Verona in Verona, Italy, will report findings from a study in which patients were switched between 2 different biosimilar infliximab products during treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis.

Review Highlights Biosimilar Epoetin Alfa in Treating Anemia in Myelodysplastic Syndromes

April 23rd 2019

By The Center for Biosimilars Staff

Myelodysplastic syndromes, which are a diverse group of neoplasms that arise from hematopoietic stem cells, are characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis, leading to cytopenias such as anemia and neutropenia.

ANSWER Study: More Patients With RA Discontinue Adalimumab and Infliximab Due to Remission

April 22nd 2019

By Allison Inserro

Adalimumab and infliximab showed the highest discontinuation rate due to patient remission, followed by golimumab, in the study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Withdrawal of Infliximab in AS Leads to Relapse for Majority of Patients, Study Finds

April 21st 2019

By The Center for Biosimilars Staff

After treatment withdrawal, 58.3% of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) had relapsed. Half of the relapses appeared within 6 months.