Arthritis drug 'could treat spine condition'
Key points
- A crippling spinal condition could be treated with a drug normally used to help people with rheumatoid arthritis, researchers suggest.
- AS, like rheumatoid arthritis, is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system can no longer control proteins called cytokines.
- Jennifer Gorman, assistant adjunct professor of medicine at UCSF, who led the US study said: "Both these results are very encouraging for patients with spondylitis.
- US scientists say the drug etanercept can significantly relieve ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
A crippling spinal condition could be treated with a drug normally used to help people with rheumatoid arthritis, researchers suggest.
US scientists say the drug etanercept can significantly relieve ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
In the study, it relieved symptoms in four-fifths of patients.
AS is a heredity back condition which causes progressive stiffening of the spine, and which, if left untreated, can cripple sufferers.
Other joints such as the hips, shoulders, knees, or ankles can also be affected.
There is currently no cure for the condition.
Every year, an estimated 200,000 visit their GP with AS.
Former England cricketer Mike Atherton is one of the most high-profile sufferers. His father was also affected.
Etanercept was recently approved for NHS use for patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis.
The US research showed it worked faster than the current therapies such as aspirin-like drugs, other immunosuppressives and physical therapy in treating AS.
The drug may reduce spinal inflammation and actually slow the progress of the disease, the researchers suggest.
Inflammation control
AS, like rheumatoid arthritis, is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system can no longer control proteins called cytokines.
These attack the body, prompting a damaging increase in inflammation.
Etanercept is a Tumour Necrosis Factor alpha blocker (anti-TNF).
It works by switching off TNF, which stimulates cells to produce that inflammation response.
"This is an excellent study, and it's great news for AS patients"
Dr Madeleine Devey, Arthritis Research Campaign
In the study, carried out by researchers from the University of California - San Francisco 20 patients were given the drug and 20 more a dummy version.
Of those who were given etanercept, 80% said they had less stiffness, less pain and improved functioning.
Only 30% of those in the other group showed such improvements.
The benefits of etanercept lasted for the duration of the study, and though there were side effects, they were mild.
A larger study is now underway.
In April, German researchers found another drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, infliximab, showed similarly promising results in the treatment of AS.
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Written and revised by
David Cohen, M.D.
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