Guest guest Posted August 2, 2004 Report Share Posted August 2, 2004 is anyone out there with PSC participating in Humira studies? I heard that they might be testing it. Lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 2, 2004 Report Share Posted August 2, 2004 Hi Lee; I don't know of anyone participating in ongoing " Humira (Adalimumab) " studies. I think that " Humira (Adalimumab) " is similar in its mode of action to " Etanercept (Enbrel) " . They both target tumor necrosis factor alpha. Pilot studies with " Etanercept " did not show anything too excting (see below), but this is not to say that " Humira " will be without effect in PSC? ______________________ Dig Dis Sci. 2004 Jan;49(1):1-4. A pilot study of etanercept in the treatment of primary sclerosing cholangitis. Epstein MP, Kaplan MM. Division of Gastroenterology, Tufts New England Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA. There is no effective medical treatment for primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a chronic cholestatic liver disease that usually progresses to cirrhosis and liver failure. The aim of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of etanercept, an inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor, in the treatment of PSC. Ten patients with clinically active PSC were studied. All had elevated serum alkaline phosphatase levels, cholangiograms that were diagnostic of PSC, and liver histology consistent with PSC. Five patients had elevated serum bilirubin levels, five had pruritus, eight had failed to respond to ursodiol and/or methotrexate, and six had rapidly recurring dominant bile duct strictures. Patients were to receive etanercept, 25 mg subcutaneously twice weekly, for 6 months if there were no side effects and for 1 year if there was evidence of efficacy after 6 months. Biochemical tests of liver function did not improve in any patient. Mean serum bilirubin levels increased significantly, from 2.0 to 3.6 mg/dl (P = 0.026). Two of the five patients with pruritus had resolution of pruritus during treatment with etanercept, recurrence when etanercept was stopped, and resolution when it was restarted, although there was little change in liver enzymes or bilirubin levels. There was no decrease in the rate of stricture formation and there were no side effects. Etanercept, at the dosage used, was well tolerated but not effective in the treatment of PSC. It may be helpful in treating pruritus due to cholestasis. Publication Types: Clinical Trial PMID: 14992426 ______________________ Perhaps these kinds of medications will be more important initially in treating inflammatory bowel disease, as described in the following article: http://www.uchospitals.edu/news/2004/20040521-ibd.php Best regards, and I hope that your son is doing well and responding to the asacol. Dave (father of (19); PSC 07/03; UC 08/03) > is anyone out there with PSC participating in Humira studies? I heard > that they might be testing it. > Lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 3, 2004 Report Share Posted August 3, 2004 Thanks Dave, I read the article which was just as you said. Not exciting. Oh well, on to the next one. Lee > Hi Lee; > > I don't know of anyone participating in ongoing " Humira (Adalimumab) " > studies. I think that " Humira (Adalimumab) " is similar in its mode of > action to " Etanercept (Enbrel) " . They both target tumor necrosis > factor alpha. Pilot studies with " Etanercept " did not show anything > too excting (see below), but this is not to say that " Humira " will be > without effect in PSC? > > ______ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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