Rheumatology

Nonmedical Switches Reduce Treatment Costs, Increase Healthcare Utilization

June 13th 2018

By Kelly Davio

During the European League Against Rheumatism’s Annual European Congress of Rheumatology, researchers published findings on the economic impacts of nonmedical switching; while 1 study found that switching to biosimilar infliximab brought down costs without sacrificing efficacy or safety, but another raised concerns about increases in overall healthcare utilization.

European Study: Patients Remain on Ineffective RA Treatment for Too Long

June 12th 2018

By The Center for Biosimilars Staff

Article

If European League Against Rheumatism guidelines are followed, when a patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) does not reach remission or a state of low disease activity after 6 months of treatment, then the patient’s treatment should be modified regardless of the drug therapy being used (biologic or small molecule).

Trastuzumab and Adalimumab Biosimilars Receive Positive CHMP Opinions

June 1st 2018

By Kelly Davio

Article

Two biosimilar developers today announced that they have received positive opinions for products from the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP).

Most Patients With RA Can Self-Administer BI's Adalimumab Biosimilar, Study Reports

May 31st 2018

By Kelly Davio

Article

Boehringer Ingelheim’s (BI) adalimumab biosimilar, Cyltezo, can be successfully self-administered—via auto-injector—by most patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Obesity Is a Predictor of Inferior Response to Anti-TNF Drugs

May 29th 2018

By The Center for Biosimilars Staff

Article

While it is already known that obesity may contribute to an increased risk developing some immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, as well as more severe disease activity and a higher burden of hospitalization, a new review found that obesity is also a predictor of inferior response to anti–tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agents.

Adding a DMARD or Switching Away From Anti-TNF Drugs Helps Patients With IBD and Paradoxical Arthritis

May 28th 2018

By The Center for Biosimilars Staff

Article

The authors of a recent study report that the addition of a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) or a switch to ustekinumab showed greater efficacy than changing anti–tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) treatments in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who develop paradoxical arthritis.

European Commission Authorizes Sandoz's Infliximab Biosimilar

May 24th 2018

By Samantha DiGrande

Article

Novartis has announced that Sandoz, a subsidiary division of the company, has received the European Commission’s (EC) authorization for its infliximab biosimilar, to be sold as Zessly in the European Union.

DAS28 and Mental Health Could Predict Disease Flare in Patients Tapering Anti-TNF Drugs

May 21st 2018

By Samantha DiGrande

Article

Currently, beyond the evaluation of a patient’s 28-joint disease activity score (DAS28), there are no standard methods to determine whether patients will respond well to dose reduction of anti–tumor necrosis factor therapy.

HLA Alleles May Play a Role in Formation of Anti-Drug Antibodies to Adalimumab

May 21st 2018

By Jackie Syrop

Article

Specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles are associated with the formation of anti-drug antibodies to adalimumab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and hidradenitis suppurativa, potentially causing reduced therapeutic response.

ACR Members Push for Legislation on Rising Costs and Barriers to Care

May 19th 2018

By Samantha DiGrande

Article

This week, rheumatologists and rheumatology stakeholders from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) took to Capitol Hill to advocate on pressing issues in rheumatology care, such as the rising costs of treatment and lack of access to care.