Dr. Alan Matsumoto reviews data from ACR 2007 on the efficacy and safety of anti-TNF therapy for ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and sarcoidosis. Medscape Rheumatology
Long-term treatment with the complement inhibitor eculizumab dramatically reduced the rate of thromboembolism in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) in an ongoing multinational, phase 3, open-label extension study. Reuters Health Information
Adding bevacizumab to paclitaxel did not prolong overall survival in women with metastatic breast cancer, but it did prolong progression-free survival when given as an initial therapy. Medscape Medical News
The risk of embolic stroke in infective endocarditis falls significantly after a week of antibiotic therapy, according to a report in the December issue of the American Heart Journal. Reuters Health Information
One year of treatment with cyclophosphamide results in significant improvements in lung function, skin scores, dyspnea, and quality of life in patients with scleroderma lung disease, new findings indicate. While these effects persist for several months after treatment cessation, they are generally no longer apparent after 24 months. Reuters Health Information
In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, baseline serum RANKL (receptor activator for nuclear factor kappa-B ligand) levels and the RANKL-to-osteoprotegerin (OPG) ratio may help predict a therapeutic response to TNF-antagonist therapy, according to results of a study conducted in Spain. Reuters Health Information
Aspiration is very common in patients with advanced head and neck cancer, is more severe following chemoradiation therapy, and is often without symptoms, according to Illinois-based researchers. Reuters Health Information
In patients with chronic lymphoproliferative diseases receiving alemtuzumab-based therapies, a low serum albumin level is associated with cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation, according to Houston-based researchers. Reuters Health Information
A variety of measures indicate that patients with long-standing severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who are receiving chronic treatment with adalimumab have reduced fatigue and enhanced quality of life, according to German and US researchers. Reuters Health Information
Treatment with sildenafil can improve exercise capacity in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with connective tissue disease (PAH-CTD), new research shows. Reuters Health Information
