Study: Cancer Drug Rituximab Useful in Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis

A drug used to treat non-Hodgkins lymphoma may help patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

The cancer drug rituximab treats rheumatoid arthritis in a new way by more selectively targeting the cells that make the antibodies that contribute to the disease process, according to research presented at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in New Orleans.

Preliminary results on the effectiveness of rituximab in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis were initially reported in 2000. In this follow-up 24-week study, researchers recruited 161 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis who were taking methotrexate.

Patients were divided into four groups: those continuing methotrexate alone, those receiving rituximab alone, those receiving rituximab along with cyclophosphamide and those receiving rituximab along with methotrexate.

Patietns taking rituximab alone or in combination with either methotrexate or cyclophosphamide showed a significant improvement in their arthritis.

"Rituximab has a great advantage in that benefits lasts for many months at a time," said Dr. Jonathan CW Edwards, Professor at University College London and an investigator in the study. "However, further studies to ensure a high level of safety are needed before the drug can be generally recommended."

Other sources: American College of Rheumatology