Study: Drug Combination Benefits Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients With Amyloid A Amyloidosis

The drug combination of cyclophosphamide and prednisolone appears to benefit rheumatoid arthritis patients who have a condition known as secondary amyloid A amyloidosis, according to a study in the December issue of Clinical Rheumatology.

Secondary amyloid A amyloidosis is a complication of rheumatoid arthritis in which an excessive buildup of a protein known as amyloid occurs in the vital organs, usually in the kidneys of rheumatoid arthritis patients. While uncommon, this complication can be dangerous as it can lead to renal dysfunction.

Cyclophosphamide, which is mainly used to slow or stop the growth of cancer cells, belongs to a family of drugs known as alkylating agents. Prednisolone is a corticosteroid, which have potent anti-inflammatory properties and are used in a wide variety of inflammatory conditions such as arthritis.

Researchers from the Kumamoto Center for Arthritis and Rheumatology in Japan studied the effectiveness of this drug combination in 15 rheumatoid arthritis patients with amyloid A amyloidosis.

The researchers found significant improvements in the levels of agents and proteins in the body that indicate inflammation as well as an amelioration of clinical rheumatoid activity.

Other sources: Clinical Rheumatology. 2003 Dec;22(6):371-5