INTRODUCTION: An increasing body of evidence indicates that interferon (IFN )-gamma is an immunoregulator and may play a key role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and tolerability of anti-IFN-gamma in patients with active RA. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind trial, 30 patients with active RA were randomly assigned to receive intramuscular injections of anti-IFN-gamma, anti-TNF-alpha, or placebo for 5 consecutive days. RESULTS: Both anti-cytokines were significantly superior to placebo. Patients stopping treatment due to lack of efficacy included I receiving anti-TNF-alpha, 2 receiving anti-IFN-gamma, and 9 receiving placebo. According to the physician's assessment, improvement was achieved by the 7th day in 9 patients receiving anti-TNF-alpha, 7 receiving anti-IFN-gamma, and 2 receiving placebo. By day 28 the corresponding figures were 8, 8, and 0, respectively. CONCLUSION: Antibodies to IFN-gamma could be a promising approach to treating RA, especially its treatment-resistant forms.
RCT Entities:
INTRODUCTION: An increasing body of evidence indicates that interferon (IFN )-gamma is an immunoregulator and may play a key role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and tolerability of anti-IFN-gamma in patients with active RA. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind trial, 30 patients with active RA were randomly assigned to receive intramuscular injections of anti-IFN-gamma, anti-TNF-alpha, or placebo for 5 consecutive days. RESULTS: Both anti-cytokines were significantly superior to placebo. Patients stopping treatment due to lack of efficacy included I receiving anti-TNF-alpha, 2 receiving anti-IFN-gamma, and 9 receiving placebo. According to the physician's assessment, improvement was achieved by the 7th day in 9 patients receiving anti-TNF-alpha, 7 receiving anti-IFN-gamma, and 2 receiving placebo. By day 28 the corresponding figures were 8, 8, and 0, respectively. CONCLUSION: Antibodies to IFN-gamma could be a promising approach to treating RA, especially its treatment-resistant forms.
Authors: Paul D Doodes; Yanxia Cao; Keith M Hamel; Yumei Wang; Rachel L Rodeghero; Katalin Mikecz; Tibor T Glant; Yoichiro Iwakura; Alison Finnegan Journal: J Immunol Date: 2009-12-18 Impact factor: 5.422
Authors: D W Hommes; T L Mikhajlova; S Stoinov; D Stimac; B Vucelic; J Lonovics; M Zákuciová; G D'Haens; G Van Assche; S Ba; S Lee; T Pearce Journal: Gut Date: 2006-02-28 Impact factor: 23.059
Authors: L Jiang; X F Wei; D H Yi; P Xu; H Liu; Q Chang; S M Yang; Z F Li; H B Gao; G J Hao Journal: Clin Exp Immunol Date: 2008-11-20 Impact factor: 4.330
Authors: T Detanico; L Rodrigues; A C Sabritto; M Keisermann; M E Bauer; H Zwickey; C Bonorino Journal: Clin Exp Immunol Date: 2004-02 Impact factor: 4.330