Results Promising for Experimental Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug

An experimental drug that blocks an immune protein suspected of playing a role in rheumatoid arthritis "significantly improved the signs and symptoms" of the disease in a small study, according to researchers.

Dr. Ernest H.S. Choy of Kings College in London said that in a study involving 45 patients, a "significant treatment difference" was seen by the second week between patients taking the drug known as MRA, a recombinant human anti-interleukin-6 (anti-IL-6) receptor monoclonal antibody, and those taking a placebo.

"This is the first randomized controlled trial showing that inhibition of IL-6 significantly improved the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and normalized the acute-phase reactants," the researchers said.

"Further research with multiple dosing is necessary to define the most appropriate therapeutic regimen of MRA in rheumatoid arthritis," they added. Results of a larger trial of the drug are expected to be announced early in 2003.

Other sources: Arthritis and Rheumatism