I read this article on cnn.com, and thought of you guys. Looks like there
will be a new class of rheumatoid arthritis drugs coming along.....

Katherine

====================================

http://www.cnn.com/2004/HEALTH/condi....ap/index.html

Drug makes 'smart' assault on arthritis

BOSTON, Massachusetts (AP) -- For the first time, a drug has relieved
rheumatoid arthritis by knocking out a certain type of immune cell -- an
approach that could open the way for precisely targeted, "smart" treatments
for the joint disease and other illnesses, too.

Other arthritis drugs on the market either treat just the symptoms, or
employ a broader, more scattershot effect against the underlying process.
Such drugs can have toxic side effects because they kill healthy cells along
with the diseased ones.

The latest research, an international study led at University College London
and published in Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine, looked at a
drug called rituximab, and the results were promising.

"I think this is a pivotal study," said Dr. John Klippel, president of the
Arthritis Foundation. "This is opening up a new era of targeted biologic
therapies for rheumatoid arthritis."

In rheumatoid arthritis, antibodies misdirect friendly fire against the
body's own joint linings. Joints become inflamed, swollen and painful. More
than 2 million Americans, mostly women, have the disease.

Rituximab, which is sold under the brand name Rituxan and is already
approved for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, targets B cells, which manufacture
these antibodies.

The researchers compared rituximab to other drugs in 161 patients with
arthritis.

For two weeks, patients took rituximab alone or in combination with two
other drugs: the standard drug, methotrexate, and the less widely used
cyclophosphamide. Another group took methotrexate alone. Roche, a
distributor of rituximab, funded and participated in the study.

After six months, more than 40 percent of patients who took rituximab
combinations were greatly improved. One-third of patients on rituximab alone
were greatly improved. But only 13 percent of those on the standard drug
alone improved that much.

"One of the things that is truly unique is that a very short course ...
appears to have a very long-lasting effect," Klippel said.

Some doctors, including the study's authors, said rituximab needs more
testing before any widespread use. They said other B-cell-killing drugs are
under development and could eventually outperform rituximab.

Researchers are also testing similar targeted approaches against lupus,
multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases.

Both methotrexate and cyclophosphamide are sometimes employed as
chemotherapy drugs and attack a broader range of tissue than rituximab. The
newer drug kills close to 90 percent of B cells, which the body then
replenishes with healthy new ones.

Rituximab is one of the most narrowly aimed and efficient members in the
modern family of targeted drugs that include the breast cancer treatment
Herceptin.

Of all the tested treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, "it goes closest to
the root of the disease," said the study's lead author, Dr. Jonathan Edwards
of University College London.

However, the drug could pose a danger of chest infection, especially if
given repeatedly, Edwards said. One rituximab patient in the study died of
pneumonia, though it was not clear if the drug was responsible.

Thank you Katherine and yes,,, the future is now.
Harv

"Katherine Wolfe" <wolfmoon@aracnet.com> wrote in message
news:cb349j02rk1@enews1.newsguy.com...

Guys, when chemistry is involved is not good. Arthritis is generated by an
over-active immune system, this means that the body attacks itself.

I suffered terrible pain as well. My left hip and ankle were very stiff and
when it was to step upstairs always I was bending only the right leg and the
exercise was still very painful.

I've tried many medicines and nutritional supplements including the ones I
consider the best in the world (Reliv) but the enhancements were always
minor and not lasting.

But my research paid off: I discovered the best for my condition, namely the
best immune system moderator in the world: this is called Transfer Factor in
combination with a strong anti-oxidant (Choice 50). Well, in only 2 weeks my
pain disappeared and in one month my joints were as in my youth (I am 60
now).

Due to the spectacular results I joined the distribution network for such
miracle products. I am really sorry to tell you about the business when you
suffer atrocious pain, but this is only my excuse coming from the bottom of
my heart for being obliged to send you to the sites where you could find
best information. These are:

http://www.4-life.com

http://www.wellnesswatch.net

and the last one from where you could buy these products (please consider
the above excuses) is:

http://www.my4life.com/choice

I hope you'll find this piece of info useful.

Regards,

Michael Balutescu

"Katherine Wolfe" <wolfmoon@aracnet.com> wrote in message
news:cb349j02rk1@enews1.newsguy.com...

"Michael Balutescu" <bamigo@optusnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:40d680be$0$16106$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...
Reported for advertising. This man has no shame.
Harv

"Michael Balutescu" <bamigo@optusnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:40d680be$0$16106$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...

Ah, then you're giving up driving your car, or drinking purified water, or
using a computer? After all, the demon chemistry is involved in all those
things, and that's not good, is it?

But, of course, the whole object of this vaguely ominous handwaving is to
steer unsuspecting sufferers to your untested and unproven brand of
supplements. The fact that the study the article I posted references shows
real, long-lasting relief doesn't matter at all. Nope, can't have those
suckers, er, I mean customers, er, I mean fellow sufferers, that's right,
fellow sufferers, using something that might work, can we? That might mean
you'd make less money!

You'd think that every human being has a conscience, that would keep them
from this kind of blatant exploitation of people in pain. You'd think, if
nothing else, that we'd all have some degree of shame that would keep us
from so plainly demonstrating our lack of concern for anything other than
lining our own pockets at the expense of the sick and infirm. But you'd be
wrong.

Katherine

i need to find out if medicaid will pay for this treatment , i am
disabled and need to try to keep my arthritis from getting wrse, right
now my hand will not close.it is even affected my teeth, i have also had
congestive heart failure and lung problems. whish goes right along with
rhumatoid arthritis. i hope this helps someone reading this, i am 43 and
have had for 16 years. thanks for responding

Don't you feel a bit guilty preying on those who have a real disease
and promoting quack products?

Michael Balutescu wrote:

Related to Ralph Morris?

Debora Morris wrote:

Don't you feel a little silly sharing this message with those of us who had
the idiot blocked and would never have seen it otherwise?

<kiltyone@dslextreme.com> wrote in message
news:10e9613fp8bvn4d@corp.supernews.com...