Ralph
30.10.2000, 12:17
Enbrel (Anmerk.: DER Blockbuster von Immunex), an arthritis drug made by Immunex Inc. (NasdaqNM:IMNX - news), works better
than methotrexate, the long-standing standard treatment for relief of joint pain and swelling associated with the ailment,according to a new study.
``It looks as though patients using etanercept (the generic name for Enbrel) are getting better and not having as many side effects compared with those on methotrexate,'' Dr. Mark Genovese, assistant professor of medicine at Stanford University's department of immunology and rheumatology, and one of the multi-center study's investigators, said in an interview.
Enbrel has been approved in the United States for treatment of early rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and moderate to severe forms of the disease.
Enbrel, an injected drug which works by inhibiting a protein linked to inflammation, is more expensive than methotrexate, which comes in pill form.
Results of the 2-year clinical trial comparing the two drugs in 424 patients with early-stage arthritis were scheduled to be presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) annual meeting in Philadelphia.
Genovese said Enbrel demonstrated a statistically significant lead compared with methotrexate in halting progress of the disease both in terms of patient
response and X-ray evidence of joint erosion.
At the end of the study, 72 percent of the Enbrel patients met the ACR's criteria -- including measurement of swollen joints, assessment of pain and physical
function -- for a 20 percent improvement in the symptoms of arthritis, compared with 59 percent of the patient's on methotrexate.
The results were less dramatic at higher measurement levels, with 49 percent of Enbrel patients and 42 percent of methotrexate patients meeting the ACR's
criteria for a 50 percent improvement.
Both drugs caused ``adverse reactions'' in some patients, with Enbrel causing skin reactions at the injection site and methotrexate associated with nausea,
mouth ulcers and hair loss.
``Etanercept was tolerated as well as, if not better than, methotrexate,'' Genovese said, noting that at the end of the study, 74 percent of the patients on Enbrel
opted to continue receiving it, compared with 59 percent of those on methotrexate.
Quelle: http://biz.yahoo.com/rb/001029/q.html
Ralph
than methotrexate, the long-standing standard treatment for relief of joint pain and swelling associated with the ailment,according to a new study.
``It looks as though patients using etanercept (the generic name for Enbrel) are getting better and not having as many side effects compared with those on methotrexate,'' Dr. Mark Genovese, assistant professor of medicine at Stanford University's department of immunology and rheumatology, and one of the multi-center study's investigators, said in an interview.
Enbrel has been approved in the United States for treatment of early rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and moderate to severe forms of the disease.
Enbrel, an injected drug which works by inhibiting a protein linked to inflammation, is more expensive than methotrexate, which comes in pill form.
Results of the 2-year clinical trial comparing the two drugs in 424 patients with early-stage arthritis were scheduled to be presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) annual meeting in Philadelphia.
Genovese said Enbrel demonstrated a statistically significant lead compared with methotrexate in halting progress of the disease both in terms of patient
response and X-ray evidence of joint erosion.
At the end of the study, 72 percent of the Enbrel patients met the ACR's criteria -- including measurement of swollen joints, assessment of pain and physical
function -- for a 20 percent improvement in the symptoms of arthritis, compared with 59 percent of the patient's on methotrexate.
The results were less dramatic at higher measurement levels, with 49 percent of Enbrel patients and 42 percent of methotrexate patients meeting the ACR's
criteria for a 50 percent improvement.
Both drugs caused ``adverse reactions'' in some patients, with Enbrel causing skin reactions at the injection site and methotrexate associated with nausea,
mouth ulcers and hair loss.
``Etanercept was tolerated as well as, if not better than, methotrexate,'' Genovese said, noting that at the end of the study, 74 percent of the patients on Enbrel
opted to continue receiving it, compared with 59 percent of those on methotrexate.
Quelle: http://biz.yahoo.com/rb/001029/q.html
Ralph