Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center
Leflunomide use during early pregnancy is associated with fetal malformations in animal studies and is classified as a pregnancy category X by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. However, little is known about pregnancy outcomes in humans exposed to leflunomide in early pregnancy, particularly in those who receive “wash-out” with cholestyramine (a drug sequestrant). Here, [...]
Recently, it has been recognized that a subset of T cells producing the cytokine IL-17 contribute to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Animal studies have suggested that blockade of IL-17 may reduce the inflammatory signs and symptoms of inflammatory arthritis and reduce bone erosion. Here, Genovese et al report Phase I/II data for LY2439821, [...]
Despite being used for decades as a primary treatment for acute gout, optimal colchicine dosing has not been systematically evaluated. This is potentially important, as higher doses of colchicine can frequently be associated with the undesired consequence of severe diarrhea and gastrointestinal distress.
Reactivation of latent tuberculosis is a recognized risk of TNF inhibitor use. While there has been circumstantial evidence of greater risk with the monoclonal antibody TNF inhibitors (e.g. infliximab and adalimumab) compared with decoy receptor TNF inhibitors (e.g. etanercept), there have been few direct comparisons. Here, Dixon et al (Ann Rheum Dis 2010; 69: 522-528) [...]
Limited data have suggested that the selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may have anti-inflammatory properties in addition to their antidepressant effects. Here, Sacre et al (Arthritis Rheum 2010; 62(43): 683) explore the mechanisms of two SSRIs (fluoxetine and citalopram) in models of experimental arthritis. Methods Inflammation was induced in the paws of male DBA/1 mice by [...]
