Arthritis & Rheumatology News and Research

Latest Arthritis & Rheumatology News and Research

CD4 T cells orchestrate inflammatory attack on the artery wall

Most people probably know that heart disease remains the nation's No. 1 killer. But what many may be surprised to learn is that cholesterol has a major accomplice in causing dangerous arterial plaque buildup that can trigger a heart attack. The culprit? Inflammatory cells produced by the immune system.

15 Aug 2012

Cathepsins may attack one another instead of the bodily proteins

Researchers for the first time have shown that members of a family of enzymes known as cathepsins - which are implicated in many disease processes - may attack one another instead of the bodily proteins they normally degrade. Dubbed "cathepsin cannibalism," the phenomenon may help explain problems with drugs that have been developed to inhibit the effects of these powerful proteases.

15 Aug 2012

New class of drugs may prove useful in treating cancer and aging-associated disorders

In a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) on Aug. 6, an international team led by Igor Roninson, of the University of South Carolina and the Medical University of South Carolina, reported the development of a new class of drugs that may prove useful in the treatment of cancer and aging-associated disorders.

14 Aug 2012

Tofacitinib efficacy suggested for rheumatoid arthritis

The novel oral Janus kinase inhibitor tofacitinib significantly reduces signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, report two phase III trials published in TheNew England Journal of Medicine.

13 Aug 2012

Mercury exposure hypertension concerns ‘unfounded’

Mercury exposure is not associated with an increased risk for hypertension, US research shows.

13 Aug 2012

Twelve states currently have adult obesity rate above 30%

Twelve states currently have an adult obesity rate above 30 percent, according to a new analysis released today by the Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF).

13 Aug 2012

NYU Langone offers chance to participate in lung cancer early detection study

NYU Langone Medical Center is a pioneer in lung cancer screening and offers comprehensive screening for individuals at risk for lung cancer. The NYU Langone Lung Cancer Screening Center is distinguished by its multidisciplinary approach and wealth of experience and is under the direction of the Divisions of Pulmonary Medicine, Thoracic Radiology and Thoracic Surgery.

13 Aug 2012

Promising stem cell therapy may prevent osteoarthritis after joint injury

Duke researchers may have found a promising stem cell therapy for preventing osteoarthritis after a joint injury.

10 Aug 2012

Longer looks: Waking up to the need for sleep

Among the more than 11,000 dearly departed inhabitants of Southeast Portland's Multnomah Park Cemetery, friends Eric Cordingley and David Anderson have their favorites: a reputed French madam, a young Norwegian institutionalized for being gay, and Louis Napoleon Lepley -- or, as they call him, "Louis the cannibal." Intriguing as their individual stories may be, together they help tell a bigger, darker tale

10 Aug 2012

Internet poor for foot and ankle patients

Foot and ankle patients seeking education on the internet are likely to come across poor quality information on their diagnosis, US researchers warn.

9 Aug 2012

Pay more than lip service to sun-screen advice for antihypertensive users

Users of common antihypertensive drugs, such as hydrochlorothiazide and nifedipine, may be at increased risk for developing lip cancer.

9 Aug 2012

Link between chronic exposure to staph bacteria and risk of lupus

Chronic exposure to even small amounts of staph bacteria could be a risk factor for the chronic inflammatory disease lupus, Mayo Clinic research shows. Staph, short for Staphylococcus aureus, is a germ commonly found on the skin or in the nose, sometimes causing infections.

9 Aug 2012

Amgen announces decision to stop ganitumab Phase 3 trial in advanced pancreatic cancer

Amgen today announced a decision to stop the ganitumab (AMG 479) Phase 3 GAMMA (Gemcitabine and AMG 479 in Metastatic Adenocarcinoma of the Pancreas) trial following the recommendation of an independent Data Monitoring Committee (DMC) overseeing the trial.

9 Aug 2012

Study examines trends in serum lipid concentrations among U.S. children and adolescents

In a study involving more than 16,000 U.S. children and adolescents, there has been a decrease in average total cholesterol levels over the past 2 decades, although almost 1 in 10 had elevated total cholesterol in 2007-2010, according to a study in the August 8 issue of JAMA.

8 Aug 2012

Study compares mortality rates among RA patients treated with individual TNF inhibitors

New research confirms no significant difference in the rates of death among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were exposed to one of several TNF inhibitors used to treat RA, adalimumab (Humira), etanercept (Enbrel), and infliximab (Remicade).

8 Aug 2012

New class of drugs reduces adverse effects of cellular damage from cancer chemotherapy

Chemotherapy kills tumor cells, but it also wreaks havoc on the rest of the body. A team of researchers led by Igor Roninson of the South Carolina College of Pharmacy just reported the discovery of a new class of drugs that reduces the adverse effects of cellular damage from chemotherapy.

8 Aug 2012

IOF to hold major osteoporosis meeting from December 13-16 in Malaysia

The International Osteoporosis Foundation will hold its 3rd IOF Regionals - Asia-Pacific Osteoporosis Meeting from December 13 to 16, 2012 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. IOF looks forward to the participation of more than 1000 health professionals from varied fields including orthopaedics, endocrinology, rheumatology, gynaecology, radiology, rehabilitation and general practice.

8 Aug 2012