Arthritis and rheumatism
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Apr 2008
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyGolimumab in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis despite treatment with methotrexate: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging study.
To assess the efficacy, safety, and pharmacology of subcutaneous administration of golimumab in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) despite treatment with methotrexate (MTX). ⋯ Golimumab plus MTX effectively reduces the signs and symptoms of RA and is generally well tolerated in patients with an inadequate response to MTX.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Apr 2008
Multicenter StudyIncreased cortisol relative to adrenocorticotropic hormone predicts improvement during anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy in rheumatoid arthritis.
Some patients with chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) improve rapidly from anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy. No sensitive markers are available that might predict outcome of anti-TNF therapy. We undertook this study to investigate the predictive value of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hormones for clinical improvement during anti-TNF therapy. ⋯ This is the first study in a human chronic inflammatory disease to demonstrate that inflammation-induced TNF interferes with HPA axis integrity, which is linked to the disease outcome. These findings position the HPA axis centrally in the vicious circle of perpetuation of chronic inflammation.