Rheumatology

Study: Corticosteroid Use May Delay Initiation of Biologics in Patients With RA

February 22nd 2018

By Kaitlynn Ely

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who use corticosteroids can delay the initiation of biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), have higher incidence of adverse events (AEs), and have more healthcare costs before the initiation of biologic DMARDs than patients who do not use corticosteroids.

New Studies Investigate Infliximab Biosimilars in Treating CD, UC, and RA

February 20th 2018

By Samantha DiGrande

At the recent European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation’s 13th Congress in Vienna, Austria, several studies investigated the efficacy of infliximab biosimilars in treating Crohn disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

TITRATE Study to Investigate Intensive Management of RA

February 16th 2018

By Samantha DiGrande

The TITRATE study is designed to investigate whether intensive management of RA leads to a greater number of remissions at 12 months, in addition to examining levels of disability, quality of life and acceptability, and cost-effectiveness.

Eli Lilly Announces Positive Results for IL-17 Inhibitor in Treating Ankylosing Spondylitis

February 15th 2018

By Samantha DiGrande

Yesterday, Eli Lilly announced that its anti–IL-17 monoclonal antibody ixekizumab (Taltz) met the primary and key secondary endpoints in the phase 3 COAST-V trial evaluating its safety and efficacy in ankylosing spondylitis.

Rheumatologist Sees Gray Areas in ACR White Paper on Biosimilars

February 14th 2018

By Kelly Davio

According to Roy Fleischmann, MD, a recent American College of Rheumatology (ACR) white paper appropriately describes issues including the nomenclature of biosimilars, the biosimilar approval pathway, and differences between biosimilars for biologic drugs and generics for small-molecule drugs. However, he takes issue with ACR's stance on substitution, extrapolation, and interchangeability.

Dr Hope Rugo: Talking With Other Prescribers About Biosimilars

February 14th 2018

Hope Rugo, MD, director of the breast oncology clinical trials program at the University of California at San Francisco, disucusses the conversations she is having and expects to have with fellow prescribers about biosimilars in oncology.

Early Adalimumab Leads to Better Outcomes for Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis

February 9th 2018

By Samantha DiGrande

In late 2017, a study was published in Acta Reumatologica Portuguesa evaluating the effect adalimumab (Humira), an anti–tumor necrosis factor therapy in the treatment of patients with both short- and long-term psoriatic arthritis (PsA) disease duration.

ACR Backs Biosimilars in New White Paper

February 8th 2018

By Kelly Davio

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR)'s previous position on biosimilars was one of caution during the initial development, evaluation, and approval of these drugs, but, writes the organization, “Now that biosimilars have been used successfully in Europe, with rigorously acquired data supporting their broader use, and as the [United States] is on the verge of a similar transition, the ACR is poised to reconsider its position.”

ACR Urges HHS to Reform Policies on Part B, Prior Authorizations

February 1st 2018

By Samantha DiGrande

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR), which represents over 9500 rheumatologists and rheumatology health professionals, recently submitted a letter to HHS in response to the department’s request for information on Promoting Healthcare Choice and Competition Across the United States.

Do Inadequate Storage Practices Play a Role in Loss of Response to Subcutaneous Biologic Agents?

January 29th 2018

By Jackie Syrop

A recent study, set in the Netherlands, sought to assess patients’ attitudes about redistributing unused, subcutaneously administered biologic drugs, which could allow potential cost savings for the health system. However, the study unexpectedly found alarming storage inconsistencies and patient nonadherence to storage guidelines for these drugs.