New hope for arthritis sufferers

A new smart drug – Tocilizumab, sold as Actemra – that could transform the lives of rheumatoid arthritis patients, may be available in

Australia within a year.

It is seen as three times more effective at halting progress of the disease than current drugs, and has been shown to improve symptoms by 20% after six months.

About 500,000 Australians suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, which causes the immune system to attack the membrane lining producing inflammation.

Rheumatoid arthritis sufferers have an excess of protein IL-6 and the new drug Actemra acts to block this protein.

Two recent studies involving 1200 patients have confirmed the drug’s promising results.  It comes from a new class of drugs known as biologics, which modify the immune system to target the specific problem of inflammation.

Graeme Jones, of the

University of
Tasmania, who did one of the studies, said it was the first time a biologic treatment had proved more effective than the current usage of methotrexate after six months of use.

“These compelling results further establish the efficacy and safety of Actemra in treating the chronic signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis” he said.