New Drug To Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis

New drug to treat rheumatoid arthritis was successful in Phase III clinical trial and the testing has been completed by an international research group led by Charit� - Universit�tsmedizin Berlin. This drug is effective in patients with moderate to severe disease condition who have shown less response to conventional disease modifying drugs. Results from this research have been published in The Lancet.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful inflammatory condition affecting the joints and tendons, which is typically characterized by periods of increased disease activity.

‘New drug for rheumatoid arthritis upadacitinib successfully completed Phase III clinical trial. The drug shows improvement in patients with an inadequate response to 'conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs'.’

Prof. Dr. Gerd-R�diger Burmester, Head of Charit�'s Medical Department, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, conducted a study to assess the efficacy of upadacitinib in patients with an inadequate response to 'conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs'.

Upadacitinib is a selective inhibitor of the enzyme Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) and has been shown to be efficacious in this patient group in earlier phase II clinical trials.

By inhibiting JAK1, upadacitinib disrupts an important signaling pathway that is responsible for triggering inflammatory responses.

In the phase III study presented, patients treated with upadacitinib showed significant improvements in joint swelling when compared to patients receiving placebo.

Patients also experienced less pain and showed improvements in joint function. Prof. Burmester is very pleased to see this new tablet-based treatment produce such significant improvements in clinical symptoms.

"Our results prove that JAK inhibitors represent an effective treatment alternative in patients with long-term conditions who do not respond adequately to conventional drugs, and in those for whom biologics are not a good treatment option.

JAK inhibitors could help these patients achieve a quick response to treatment, allowing them to gain control over their illness.

The trial sponsor AbbVie is currently in the process of collating all trial results and submitting them to the European and US regulatory authorities for review."



Source: Eurekalert