Adalimumab Therapy Is Significantly Beneficial For Arthritis Patients With Chronic Pain

According to results of research presented today at EULAR 2008 (the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology in Paris, France), adalimumab therapy is effective and well-tolerated in ankylosing spondylitis (AS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients with a previously inadequate response to anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapies etanercept and infliximab.

This positive response to adalimumab was greatest for patients who had been intolerant of their anti-TNF therapies, or had lost their initial responses, compared with those who had had no response to prior anti-TNF therapies at all.

After 12 weeks of treatment with adalimumab, AS patients were found to have a mean reduction in BASDAI (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index) of -2.4 following previous etanercept and/or infliximab treatment, and a reduction of -2.9 in those who have not had prior anti-TNF therapy. RA patients had a mean reduction in DAS28 (Disease Activity Scale 28) of -1.9 following previous treatment with either etanercept or infliximab.

According to lead researcher, Dr G R Burmester of Berlin University Hospital:

“An increasing number of patients with rheumatic diseases, such as AS, RA or PsA, are experiencing an inadequate response to, or are intolerant of, treatment with existing anti-TNFs including etanercept or infliximab. The results of our study show that adalimumab offers new hope for those who have tried, but not responded well, to other treatment options for their diseases.”

Adalimumab – popularly known under the brand name Humira (product of Abbott) – is a Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) blocker is used to reduce the signs and symptoms of the following:

• moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults. HUMIRA can be used alone or with methotrexate or with certain other medicines. HUMIRA may prevent further damage to your bones and joints and may help your ability to perform daily activities.
• moderate to severe polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in children 4 years of age and older. HUMIRA can be used alone or with methotrexate or with certain other medicines.
• psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in adults. HUMIRA can be used alone or with certain other medicines. HUMIRA may prevent further damage to your bones and joints and may help your ability to perform daily activities.
• ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in adults.
• moderate to severe Crohn’s disease (CD) in adults who have not responded well to conventional treatments.
• HUMIRA is also for these adults who have lost response or are unable to tolerate infliximab.

Also, Humira (adalimumab) is also used for the treatment of moderate to severe chronic (lasting a long time) plaque psoriasis (Ps) in adults who have the condition in many areas of their body and who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (treatment using ultraviolet light alone or with pills). More about this on Humira’s official website: humira.com

Read more about the above findings on adalimumab from Medical News Today.