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Daniel E Furst

Publications and source records attributed to Daniel E Furst.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Adalimumab, a fully human anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha monoclonal antibody, for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in patients taking concomitant methotrexate: the ARMADA trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of adalimumab (D2E7), a fully human monoclonal tumor necrosis factor alpha antibody, in combination with methotrexate (MTX) in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) despite treatment with MTX. METHODS: In a 24-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 271 patients with active RA were randomly assigned to receive injections of adalimumab (20 mg, 40 mg, or 80 mg subcutaneously) or placebo every other week while continuing to take their long-term stable dosage of MTX. The primary efficacy end point was the American College of Rheumatology criteria for 20% improvement (ACR20) at 24 weeks. RESULTS: An ACR20 response at week 24 was achieved by a significantly greater proportion of patients in the 20-mg, 40-mg, and 80-mg adalimumab plus MTX groups (47.8%, 67.2%, and 65.8%, respectively) than in the placebo plus MTX group (14.5%) (P < 0.001). ACR50 response rates with the 20-mg, 40-mg, and 80-mg adalimumab dosages (31.9%, 55.2%, and 42.5%, respectively) were significantly greater than that with placebo (8.1%) (P = 0.003, P < 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively). The 40-mg and 80-mg doses of adalimumab were associated with an ACR70 response (26.9% and 19.2%, respectively) that was statistically significantly greater than that with placebo (4.8%) (P < 0.001 and P = 0.020). Responses were rapid, with the greatest proportion of adalimumab-treated patients achieving an ACR20 response at the first scheduled visit (week 1). Adalimumab was safe and well tolerated; comparable numbers of adalimumab-treated patients and placebo-treated patients reported adverse events. CONCLUSION: The addition of adalimumab at a dosage of 20 mg, 40 mg, or 80 mg administered subcutaneously every other week to long-term MTX therapy in patients with active RA provided significant, rapid, and sustained improvement in disease activity over 24 weeks compared with MTX plus placebo.

Adalimumab↗
PubMed2003

Efficacy, pharmacokinetic, and safety assessment of adalimumab, a fully human anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha monoclonal antibody, in adults with rheumatoid arthritis receiving concomitant methotrexate: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Because traditional therapies for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) such as methotrexate (MTX) do not produce an adequate response in many patients, newer therapies that block the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) are increasingly being used in combination with MTX. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and safety profile of adalimumab, a fully human anti-TNF alpha monoclonal antibody, when added to continuing MTX therapy. METHODS: This Phase I, randomized, dose-titration study consisted of a 4-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled treatment phase and a 26-month, open-label continuation phase. Patients with RA who had been taking stable doses of MTX (mean dose, 17 mg/wk) for > or =3 months before enrollment with an inadequate response were randomly assigned to receive 2 single doses of either adalimumab 0.25, 0.5, 1, 3, or 5 mg/kg i.v. or placebo in the double-blind phase. In the open-label phase, patients received treatment with 1 of the doses of adalimumab every other week or monthly for 18 months; patients were then switched to adalimumab 40 mg i.v. or SC every other week or monthly. The main efficacy end point was 20% improvement in American College of Rheumatology response criteria (ACR20). Other efficacy end points included 50% (ACR50) and 70% improvements in ACR response criteria. Pharmacokinetic parameters were analyzed for adalimumab and MTX during both phases of the study. Serum adalimumab concentrations were analyzed using a validated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay relying on the double-antigen principle. Peak and trough concentrations were determined from observed concentration-time data, and a modeling approach was used to estimate total serum clearance, mean apparent terminal half-life, apparent volume of distribution at steady state, and area under the concentration-time curve. RESULTS: Sixty patients entered the double-blind phase, 45 receiving adalimumab and 15 receiving placebo; 1 placebo recipient chose not to continue into the open-label phase. Overall, the study population included 47 (78.3%) women and 13 (21.7%) men. The mean age was 52.9 years (range, 24-73 years), and the mean body weight was 69.7 kg (range, 43-98 kg). ACR20 and ACR50 responses were achieved on at least 1 assessment during the 4-week double-blind phase by a respective 29 (64.4%) and 11 (24.4%) of 45 patients receiving active treatment and by 4 (26.7%) and none of the 15 patients receiving placebo. Responses to adalimumab were rapid, with 10 (22.2%) of 45 patients achieving an ACR20 response within 24 hours of dosing. Of 29 adalimumab recipients who had an ACR20 response, 18 (62.1%) had a duration of response (time from first occurrence of a response to first occurrence of a nonresponse) of 1 to 2 weeks, and 11 (37.9%) had a duration of response of 3 to 13 weeks. The pharmacokinetic properties of adalimumab appeared to be linear. The mean apparent terminal half-life after a single intravenous dose of adalimumab ranged from 15 to 19 days in the 5 dose groups. Repeated administration of adalimumab had no statistically significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of MTX, indicating that dose adjustment of MTX is not necessary. Adalimumab was well tolerated, and there were no dose-related adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with active RA who had not had an adequate response to MTX, addition of adalimumab to MTX achieved statistically significant, long-term improvement compared with placebo plus MTX (P < or = 0.05), as indicated by ACR responses at 26 months. The combination was well tolerated. Adalimumab exhibited linear pharmacokinetics. In this selected patient population, adalimumab's long half-life of 15 to 19 days supports every-other-week dosing. Coadministration of adalimumab did not alter serum levels of MTX.

Adalimumab↗
PubMed2003

Update on disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in the treatment of systemic sclerosis.

Treatment of systemic sclerosis has been somewhat haphazard and treatment has often been "borrowed" from the experience gained from treating other connective tissue diseases. There was a period of time that was focused mainly on organ-specific manifestations of systemic sclerosis and some advance in preventing vital organ damage (such as renal crisis) was achieved. The vast improvement in mortality from the use of ACE inhibitors raises one's hopes for other effective therapeutic interventions. At this juncture, the evidence is strong that the ACE inhibitors that are used in scleroderma renal crisis are disease-modifying, even without proving it by a randomized controlled trial. The evidence is strong that the use of epoprostenol for primary pulmonary hypertension is life-saving; however, whether epoprostenol is life-saving in the pulmonary hypertension in scleroderma remains to be proven. There are suggestions that bosentan (for the pulmonary hypertension of scleroderma), cyclophosphamide (for SSc alveolitis), stem cell transplant, interferon-gamma (for interstitial pulmonary fibrosis), and methotrexate (for the skin thickening of diffuse scleroderma) may improve organ function or functional activities, but whether they are truly disease-modifying remains to be proven. As we increase our understanding of the pathophysiology of systemic sclerosis and we learn how better to design trials for systemic sclerosis, we may be more successful in developing optimal disease-modifying therapy. Although the treatment of systemic sclerosis remains difficult, there are an increasing number of potentially effective regimens that are undergoing clinical investigations. A rational approach to therapy seems possible, based on a hypothesis of the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis. Thus, there is accumulating evidence that supports the use of prostacyclin derivatives to treat systemic sclerosis, some evidence that antifibrotic regimens may be effective, and moderate evidence that immunosuppression also may be effective in certain stages of this disease.

Antirheumatic Agents↗
PubMed2003

Plasmapheresis for rheumatic diseases in the twenty-first century: take it or leave it?

As is often the case, one cannot give a simple answer to the question: plasmapheresis-take it or leave it? A thorough review of the current data on the possible mechanisms of action, the efficacy, and the safety of plasmapheresis in rheumatic diseases demonstrates that the answer depends on the disease and the patients involved.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMed2003

Current status of outcome measure development for clinical trials in systemic sclerosis. Report from OMERACT 6.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc), also known as scleroderma, is a complex, multisystem disease that results in severe morbidity, disability, and life-threatening complications. The wide range of biological systems clinically involved, and the large spectrum of disease activity and damage that occurs in this disease have limited clinical investigation of SSc, especially therapeutic trials. The OMERACT 6 Workshop on Systemic Sclerosis was conceived as a starting point for the process of assessing the current state of the science in outcome assessment in SSc and then setting a realistic research agenda and priorities for future work in this area This article reviews the current status of assessment tools for research in SSc within the main fundamental domains of illness in SSc, including problems related to skin, pulmonary, cardiac, peripheral vascular (Raynaud's phenomenon and digital ulceration), renal, and musculoskeletal systems as well as health-related quality of life and physical functioning. The current level of validation of outcome measures in SSc is assessed according to the guidelines set forth by prior OMERACT meetings.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗
PubMed2002

Concomitant leflunomide therapy in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis despite stable doses of methotrexate. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs may confer greater benefits when combined with the antimetabolite methotrexate. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of leflunomide versus placebo when added to ongoing, stable-dose methotrexate therapy in patients with persistently active rheumatoid arthritis. DESIGN: 24-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING: 20 centers in the United States and Canada. PATIENTS: Patients with persistent rheumatoid arthritis, as defined by American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria, despite receiving methotrexate for at least 6 months. INTERVENTION: Leflunomide or matching placebo added to existing methotrexate therapy. MEASUREMENTS: The primary efficacy variable was the rate of achievement of 20% improvement in ACR criteria (ACR20) at the end of the study. The Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index was assessed at each visit, and the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form was completed as an end point analysis. RESULTS: In the leflunomide and placebo groups, 46.2% and 19.5% of patients, respectively, met ACR20 criteria at 24 weeks (P < 0.001). Clinical improvement was demonstrated by statistically significant mean changes in individual components of the ACR20 response criteria. Discontinuation rates were similar in both treatment groups (23.1% in the leflunomide group and 24.8% in the placebo group), as were the overall incidences of adverse events (89.2% vs. 89.5%, respectively). Adverse events were predominantly mild or moderate. CONCLUSIONS: Combination therapy with leflunomide and methotrexate provides statistically significant clinical benefit in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis who are receiving methotrexate therapy. Leflunomide plus methotrexate is generally well tolerated and can be used safely with appropriate liver enzyme and hematologic monitoring.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Male microchimerism in healthy women and women with scleroderma: cells or circulating DNA? A quantitative answer.

Male DNA, of presumed fetal origin, can be detected in the maternal circulation decades after delivery and is referred to as fetal microchimerism (FM). We previously found quantitatively greater FM in the circulation of women with the autoimmune disease scleroderma (SSc) than of healthy women. However, it is unknown whether this difference is due to intact circulating cells or free DNA released from breakdown in disease-affected tissues. To distinguish the origin of FM, we developed a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for the Y-chromosome-specific sequence DYS14, and tested 114 women in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and/or plasma. Fifty-seven controls and 57 SSc patients were studied, 48 and 43 of whom, respectively, had given birth to at least one son. Circulating FM was quantitatively greater in PBMCs from SSc patients (n = 39; range, 0.0-12.5 male genome-equivalent cells per million maternal cells), compared with healthy women (n = 39; range, 0.0-4.4; P =.03). In contrast, there was no difference between patients (n = 25) and controls (n = 22) in plasma, and no evidence of free DNA. FM was enriched among T lymphocytes compared with PBMCs (P =.01) in controls (n = 14), but not in SSc patients (n = 14); the latter finding was most likely due to immunosuppressive medications. In conclusion, this real-time quantitative assay showed that quantitative differences in the circulation of women with SSc are due to cells and not to free DNA. As FM was not uncommon in healthy women, including among T cells, and because graft-versus-host disease has similarities to SSc, these results also suggest that FM merits investigation in pheresis products used for stem cell transplantation.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2002

High-dose immunosuppressive therapy for severe systemic sclerosis: initial outcomes.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem disease of presumed autoimmune pathogenesis for which no proven effective treatment exists. High-dose immunosuppressive therapy (HDIT) has been proposed as an investigational treatment for severe autoimmune diseases. Nineteen patients with poor-prognosis SSc underwent HDIT. The median age was 40 years (range, 23-61 years), the median modified Rodnan skin score (a measure of dermal sclerosis) was 31, and the median DLCO was 57%. Conditioning therapy involved 800 cGy total body irradiation (TBI) (+/- lung shielding to approximately 200 cGy), 120 mg/kg cyclophosphamide, and 90 mg/kg equine antithymocyte globulin. CD34-selected granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor-mobilized autologous blood stem cells provided hematopoietic rescue. With median follow-up at 14.7 months, the Kaplan-Meier estimated 2-year survival rate was 79%. Three patients died of treatment complications and one of disease progression. Two of the first 8 patients had fatal regimen-related pulmonary injury, a complication not found among 11 subsequent patients who received lung shielding for TBI. Overall, internal organ functions were stable to slightly worse after HDIT, and 4 patients had progressive or nonresponsive disease. As measured by modified Rodnan skin scores and modified health assessment questionnaire disability index (mHAQ-DI) scores, significant disease responses occurred in 12 of 12 patients evaluated at 1 year after HDIT. In conclusion, though important treatment-related toxicities occurred after HDIT for SSc, modifications of initial approaches appear to reduce treatment risks. Responses in skin and mHAQ-DI scores exceed those reported with other therapies, suggesting that HDIT is a promising new therapy for SSc that should be evaluated in prospective randomized studies.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Hydroxychloroquine concentration-response relationships in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: A dose-response relationship for hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), in terms of the proportion of patients achieving the Paulus 20% criteria for improvement, had previously been observed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receiving a 6-week loading regimen of 400, 800, or 1,200 mg HCQ daily. This present retrospective analysis was performed to investigate possible relationships between the blood HCQ and HCQ-metabolite concentrations and measures of efficacy and toxicity. In addition, we sought to ascertain whether further investigation of HCQ/HCQ-metabolite levels might lead to testing of one of these substances as a new antirheumatic drug. METHODS: Patients with active RA (n = 212) began a 6-week, double-blind trial comparing 3 different doses of HCQ at 400, 800, or 1,200 mg/day, followed by 18 weeks of open-label HCQ treatment at 400 mg/day. Patients were repeatedly evaluated for treatment efficacy and toxicity. Blood samples were available from 123 patients for analysis of HCQ, desethylhydroxychloroquine (DHCQ), desethylchloroquine (DCQ), and bisdesethylchloroquine (BDCQ) levels using high-performance liquid chromatography. Achievement of the modified Paulus 20% improvement criteria for response in RA was used as the primary efficacy parameter. Spontaneously reported adverse events were categorized and analyzed as toxicity outcome variables. The relationship between response (efficacy and toxicity) and drug levels was evaluated using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The subset of patients with blood concentration data was equivalent to the larger study population in all demographic and outcome characteristics. The mean HCQ, DHCQ, and DCQ elimination half-lives were 123, 161, and 180 hours, respectively. There was a positive correlation between the Paulus 20% improvement criteria response and blood DHCQ concentrations during weeks 1-6 (P < 0.001). A potential relationship between ocular adverse events and BDCQ levels was found (P = 0.036). Logistic regression analysis of adverse events data showed that adverse gastrointestinal events were associated with higher HCQ levels (P = 0.001-0.021) during weeks 1, 2, and 3. CONCLUSION: There is a weak, but predictable, relationship between blood DHCQ concentrations and efficacy of treatment with HCQ. In addition, there is an association between gastrointestinal adverse events and elevated blood HCQ concentrations. Further investigation of these relationships is warranted to see if DHCQ may be introduced as a new antirheumatic drug.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Efficacy of tacrolimus in rheumatoid arthritis patients who have been treated unsuccessfully with methotrexate: a six-month, double-blind, randomized, dose-ranging study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy, safety, and optimal dose of tacrolimus monotherapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: This phase II, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled monotherapy study was set in 12 community sites and 9 university-based sites. Two hundred sixty-eight patients with RA who were resistant to or intolerant of methotrexate (mean dose 15.2 mg/week) and had active disease for at least 6 months (mean tender joint count 28.2, mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate 46.5 mm/hour) were randomized to receive treatment after discontinuation of methotrexate. Those who received at least 1 dose of tacrolimus were analyzed; 141 completed the study. Stable dosages of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and low-dose prednisone were allowed during treatment. All patients were given 1, 3, or 5 mg of tacrolimus or placebo once daily for 24 weeks. The American College of Rheumatology definition of 20% improvement (ACR20) and the tender and swollen joint counts at the end of treatment were the primary outcomes. RESULTS: ACR20 response rates demonstrated a clear dose response. The ACR20 response was observed in 15.5% of patients receiving placebo (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 7.1-23.9%), 29% of the 1 mg tacrolimus group (95% CI 18.3-39.7%) (P < 0.058); 34.4% of the 3 mg group (95% CI 22.7-46.0%) (P < 0.013), and 50% of the 5 mg group (95% CI 37.8-62.3%) (P < or = 0.001). The tender joint count improved statistically significantly in all tacrolimus groups. The swollen joint count, physical function, and patient-assessed pain improved statistically significantly in the 3 mg and 5 mg groups. The incidence of creatinine elevation > or =40% above baseline levels increased in a dose-dependent manner. Dropout rates were high (41-59%) and were more common for inefficacy in the placebo patients (71.4%), whereas they were more common for toxicity in the high-dose tacrolimus groups (31-33%). Discontinuation for creatinine elevation occurred in the 3 mg (3.1%) and 5 mg (10.9%) tacrolimus groups. CONCLUSION: Tacrolimus improved disease activity in methotrexate-resistant or -intolerant patients with RA. A dose response was observed when efficacy and toxicity were assessed at different doses. The optimal dose of tacrolimus appears to be >1 mg but < or=3 mg daily.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗
PubMed2002

Measuring disease activity and functional status in patients with scleroderma and Raynaud's phenomenon.

OBJECTIVE: To document disease activity and functional status in patients with scleroderma (systemic sclerosis [SSc]) and Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) and to determine the sensitivity to change, reliability, ease of use, and validity of various outcome measures in these patients. METHODS: Patients with SSc and moderate-to-severe RP participating in a multicenter RP treatment trial completed daily diaries documenting the frequency and duration of RP attacks and recorded a daily Raynaud's Condition Score (RCS). Mean scores for the 2-week periods prior to baseline (week 0), end of trial (week 6), and posttrial followup (week 12) were calculated. At weeks 0, 6, and 12, physicians completed 3 global assessment scales and performed clinical assessments of digital ulcers and infarcts; patients completed the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales 2 (AIMS2) mood and tension subscales, 5 specific SSc/RP-related visual analog scales (VAS), and 3 other VAS global assessments. We used these measures to document baseline disease activity and to assess their construct validity, sensitivity to change, and reliability in trial data. RESULTS: Two hundred eighty-one patients (248 women, 33 men; mean age 50.4 years [range 18-82 years]) from 14 centers participated. Forty-eight percent had limited cutaneous SSc; 52% had diffuse cutaneous SSc. Fifty-nine patients (21%) had digital ulcers at baseline. Patients had 3.89 +/- 2.33 (mean +/- SD) daily RP attacks (range 0.8-14.6), with a duration of 82.1 +/- 91.6 minutes/attack. RCS for RP activity (possible range 0-10) was 4.30 +/- 1.92. HAQ scores (0-3 scale) indicated substantial disability at baseline (total disability 0.86, pain 1.19), especially among the subscales pertaining to hand function (grip, eating, dressing). AIMS2 mood and tension scores were fairly high, as were many of the VAS scores. Patients with digital ulcers had worse RCS, pain, HAQ disability (overall, grip, eating, and dressing), physician's global assessment, and tension, but no significant difference in the frequency of RP, duration of RP, patient's global assessment, or mood, compared with patients without digital ulcers. VAS scores for digital ulcers as rated by the patients were not consistent with the physician's ratings. Factor analysis of the 18 measures showed strong associations among variables in 4 distinct domains: disease activity, RP measures, digital ulcer measures, and mood/tension. Reliability of the RCS, HAQ pain and disability scales, and AIMS2 mood and tension subscales was high. The RP measures demonstrated good sensitivity to change (effect sizes 0.33-0.76). CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that the significant activity, disability, pain, and psychological impact of RP and digital ulcers in SSc can be measured by a small set of valid and reliable outcome measures. These outcome measures provide information beyond the quantitative metrics of RP attacks. We propose a core set of measures for use in clinical trials of RP in SSc patients that includes the RCS, patient and physician VAS ratings of RP activity, a digital ulcer/infarct measure, measures of disability and pain (HAQ), and measures of psychological function (AIMS2).

Affect↗
PubMed2002

Predictors and outcomes of scleroderma renal crisis: the high-dose versus low-dose D-penicillamine in early diffuse systemic sclerosis trial.

OBJECTIVE: The reported frequency of scleroderma M01-R renal crisis (SRC) in diffuse systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma) is 15-20%. Early use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors has markedly improved outcome. The present analysis reexamines the prognostic factors for and outcome of SRC in a prospective cohort of patients with early diffuse SSc. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the cohort of SSc patients who participated in the High-Dose Versus Low-Dose D-Penicillamine in Early Diffuse SSc trial. Patients with diffuse cutaneous scleroderma were enrolled if their disease duration was <18 months. Because the trial failed to show a difference between treatment groups, the data were pooled. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-four SSc patients entered the observation period a mean +/- SD of 0.8 +/- 0.3 years after onset of SSc. SRC occurred in 18 patients a mean +/- SD of 0.9 +/- 1.1 years after entry. During a mean +/- SD 4.0 +/- 1.1 years of followup after entry, 9 of the 18 patients died (mean +/- SD 0.6 +/- 0.9 years after SRC onset). Baseline characteristics that predicted SRC included a modified Rodnan skin thickness score of >or=20 (P < 0.01), enlarged cardiac silhouette on radiograph (P = 0.04), large joint contractures (wrist, elbow, knee) (P = 0.008), and prednisone use at entry (P = 0.01). Baseline characteristics that did not predict SRC included age, sex, race, Health Assessment Questionnaire score, fist closure, handspread, lung involvement, muscle weakness, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and platelet count. In 5 of 10 subjects for whom at least 2 sequential skin scores were available, skin scores increased significantly (P = 0.012) in the 6 months before onset of SRC. CONCLUSION: SRC occurred in 13% of patients soon (mean 11 months) after entry into the cohort. Predictors of SRC identified in this study included higher than average skin score, prednisone use at study entry, large joint contractures, and heart enlargement. Our data suggest, however, that low-dose prednisone alone was not associated with the onset of SRC, except in the appropriate clinical setting. Although ACE inhibitors and dialysis are now readily available, SRC continues to be associated with poor survival (in this study, 50% of patients with SRC died).

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Stem cell transplantation for autoimmune disease: progress and problems.

The current status of stem cell transplantation in rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile chronic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and systemic sclerosis are reviewed. From a large European bone marrow transplant registry, a birds' eye view of stem cell transplantation for autoimmune disease can be obtained. Among 43 rheumatoid arthritis patients, 35 juvenile chronic arthritis patients, 34 systemic lupus erythematosus patients, and 58 systemic sclerosis patients who underwent stem cell transplantation, initial responses in most patients were good to excellent. Although initial transplant related mortality was low for rheumatoid arthritis, somewhat higher rates for juvenile chronic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and systemic sclerosis may be falling with modifications in the stem cell transplantation regimens. In rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus treatment, the criteria for patient selection are still not clear and the therapeutic regimens for stem cell transplantation (and whether follow-up treatment is necessary) are not fully defined. In juvenile chronic arthritis, responses are encouraging although little fully published data beyond that from the European Bone Marrow Transplant Registry exist. In systemic sclerosis, criteria for patient selection and a limited number of stem cell transplantation regimens have been agreed on and controlled trials are underway.

Arthritis, Juvenile↗
PubMed2002

Stem cell therapy in scleroderma.

Scleroderma has a high mortality rate, especially in patients with early diffuse disease and poor prognostic features (such as high skin scores and internal organ involvement). In addition, there is no proven therapy for this disease. Finally, scleroderma has an autoimmune-related pathogenesis, particularly in early illness. In this setting, stem cell therapy is a reasonable potential choice. The rationale behind high-dose immunosuppressive therapy and stem cell transplantation in scleroderma, the regimens used, and the recent data from pilot studies are reviewed. The encouraging data, proper patient selection criteria, and appropriate therapy regimen make controlled studies appropriate, and such studies are currently under way in Europe and are soon to begin in the United States.

Dose-Response Relationship, Drug↗
PubMed2002

Dose response and safety study of meloxicam up to 22.5 mg daily in rheumatoid arthritis: a 12 week multicenter, double blind, dose response study versus placebo and diclofenac.

OBJECTIVE: This Phase III, placebo and active controlled, multicenter trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of meloxicam 7.5, 15, and 22.5 mg daily for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: A 12 week, randomized, double blind, double dummy, parallel group trial compared daily oral meloxicam 7.5, 15, and 22.5 mg to placebo (negative control) and diclofenac 75 mg BID (positive control). A total of 894 patients (18 years of age with confirmed RA who flared following an NSAID-free period) were randomized to be treated. Baseline scores for all endpoints were similar among the treatment groups. Patient assessments were at 0, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks or early termination. RESULTS: All treatment groups demonstrated significant improvement from baseline (p < 0.001). Meloxicam 7.5 and 22.5 mg was significantly superior to placebo in all 5 primary efficacy endpoints (swollen joint count, tender joint count, patient pain, patient and physician global; all p < 0.05). Diclofenac 150 mg was superior to placebo for 4 of 5 primary efficacy measures (all but swollen joint count; p < 0.05) and meloxicam 15 mg was superior for 3 of 5 primary endpoints (patient pain and patient and physician global). AUC of patient global, patient pain, and modified Health Assessment Questionnaire demonstrated dose-response (p < 0.04), while AUC ACR20 showed a qualitative trend in the same direction. The rate of gastrointestinal (GI) events during the 12 week trial for all doses of meloxicam and diclofenac did not differ significantly from placebo (23.2-32.0%). GI withdrawals were comparable and not significantly different across all treatment groups (4.3-5.7%). CONCLUSION: This trial demonstrated a dose response relationship for meloxicam 7.5, 15, and 22.5 mg using AUC measurement of response for the treatment of RA. All 3 doses of meloxicam. and positive control, were effective in the treatment of RA. The overall incidence rate of GI events did not differ significantly from placebo in either the meloxicam treatment groups or the positive control.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Longitudinal measurement of methotrexate liver concentrations does not correlate with liver damage, clinical efficacy, or toxicity during a 3.5 year double blind study in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: In patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we examined whether methotrexate (MTX) and MTX polyglutamate accumulation in the liver correlated with clinical efficacy or clinical/laboratory toxicity. We also began preliminary examination of a new histologic index of liver histology (the Iowa Score) relative to the Roenigk grading system. METHODS: Forty patients with RA participated in a prospective, double blind, 3.5 year study of MTX treatment. Liver biopsies, liver MTX and MTX polyglutamate concentrations, laboratory tests, evaluation of disease activity, and evaluation of adverse events were done prospectively at baseline and at 1, 2, and 3.5 years. Biopsies were examined using the Roenigk grading system and an additional histological scoring system. Radiochemical ligand binding assays and HPLC methods were used to measure MTX and MTX polyglutamates. Statistical analysis included ANOVA, linear regression, and logistic regression modeling. RESULTS: No significant changes in the mean values of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase, albumin, or hemoglobin occurred. A significant percentage of patients had at least one abnormal alkaline phosphatase, AST, or ALT (25 to 52%), although most abnormalities were small and transient. Histological abnormalities did not progress using either the Roenigk or the Iowa score. The last abnormal AST, the number of abnormal AST and ALT, and female sex correlated with histological liver abnormalities (r2 = 0.41) using a new preliminary histologic scoring system (the Iowa Score). Amount of alcohol use correlated with fatty change, and the MTX dose at biopsy was associated with liver histological abnormalities (p = 0.03 and 0.049, respectively). Total liver MTX concentrations were stable from Year 1 to Year 3.5 and the percentage of higher order polyglutamates was relatively high (38 to 56%) relative to monoglutamates. No correlation of these concentrations with clinical response or toxicity, histology, or liver function tests could be documented. CONCLUSION: This analysis describes the accumulation and stabilization of MTX concentrations in the liver and examined correlations between MTX liver concentrations, patient demographics, liver histology, concomitant medications, and disease activity. No such correlations were found, decreasing the likelihood that MTX concentrations in serum would be useful measures to predict significant hepatotoxicity.

Antirheumatic Agents↗