Arthritis fight using immune system
A single dose of a new drug could ‘reboot’ the immune system of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, say researchers. British researchers have developed a protein agent modelled on the body’s own natural defences to combat the inflammation that can destroy joints.
A single dose of a new drug could ‘reboot’ the immune system of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, say researchers.
British researchers have developed a protein agent modelled on the body’s own natural defences to combat the inflammation that can destroy joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis causes joint pain and swelling, stiffness, fatigue, and disability.
Researchers from King’s College London and clinicians from Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, are to start what has been described as the first human trial of BiP – binding immunoglobulin protein – involving up to 50 patients.
The protein is part of the body’s normal anti-inflammatory response, but it is found in insufficient quantities in the joints of people with rheumatoid arthritis to have a therapeutic effect.
Previous work by the team indicates that giving an intravenous dose will quickly boost a patient’s anti-inflammatory response.
A single infusion appears to ‘reset’ their immune system and may give a long lasting effect.
Gabriel Panayi, professor emeritus of rheumatology at King’s College London, and honorary consultant rheumatologist at Guy’s and St Thomas, said: “If BiP works as we expect then a single dose should be sufficient to put patients into remission for months.”
The trial was the culmination of 15 years of work.
Dr Valerie Corrigall of King’s College London added using patients’ own immune system to help protect against the disease was a new approach to treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.
“As well as being a very promising therapy, we’ve purposefully designed BiP to be more cost effective than biologic therapies which work well but are extremely expensive.”
