Scientists at University of Tampere discuss research in monoclonal antibodies
2007 OCT 15 -- According to a study from Tampere, Finland, "Infliximab is effective and well tolerated in the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The aim of the present study was to measure circulating levels of inflammatory mediators in patients with JIA during treatment with infliximab." "Eight patients with active JIA refractory to standard treatments were treated with infliximab (3-4 mg/kg) at weeks 0, 2 and 6 and thereafter at approximately 6-week intervals up to 24 weeks. All patients (n = 8) responded to the treatment. By 6 weeks of treatment the number of active joints had reduced from 16 +/- 4 (mean +/- SEM) to 4 +/- 1 (p < 0.01) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels had fallen from 31 +/- 8 to 8 +/- 3 (p <0.001). Infliximab treatment also reduced the serum concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and soluble adhesion molecules ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule-1), and E-selectin. Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) levels tended to increase while the concentrations of endogenous TNF antagonists (sTNF-RI and sTNF-RII) reduced in most patients during treatment," wrote T. Levalampi and colleagues, University of Tampere. The researchers concluded: "Infliximab reduced serum levels of IL-6, MPO and soluble adhesion molecules in JIA patients, producing a good clinical response to the treatment." Levalampi and colleagues published their study in Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology (Effects of infliximab on cytokines, myeloperoxidase, and soluble adhesion molecules in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology, 2007;36(3):189-193). For more information, contact T. Levalampi, University of Tampere, Medical School Pharmacology, FIN-33014 Tampere, Finland. Publisher contact information for the Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology is: Taylor & Francis as, PO Box 12 Posthuset, NO-0051 Oslo, Norway. Keywords: Finland, Tampere, Arthritis, Biotechnology, Drugs, Enzyme Research, Infliximab, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, Medical Device, Methotrexate, Monoclonal Antibodies, Monoclonal Antibody, Myeloperoxidase, Pharmaceuticals, Rheumatology, Therapy, Treatment, University of Tampere. This article was prepared by Pain & Central Nervous System Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Pain & Central Nervous System Week via NewsRx.com.
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