Arthritis and rheumatism
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Jul 2011
CD4+CD28- T cell expansion in granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's) is driven by latent cytomegalovirus infection and is associated with an increased risk of infection and mortality.
Expanded populations of CD4+CD28- T cells with a cytotoxic phenotype have been repeatedly reported in patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's) (GPA). In healthy individuals expansion of this T cell population follows cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. We undertook this study to investigate whether CMV infection may be responsible for driving the expansion of CD4+CD28- T cells in GPA patients and how this might relate to clinical features. ⋯ The expansion of CD4+CD28- T cells in GPA patients is associated with CMV infection and leads to a reduction in the number of naive T cells in peripheral blood. Patients with expanded CD4+CD28- T cells have significantly increased mortality and risk of infection.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Jul 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialAtacicept in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and an inadequate response to methotrexate: results of a phase II, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
To assess the efficacy, safety, and biologic activity of atacicept in tumor necrosis factor antagonist-naive patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in whom the response to methotrexate treatment was inadequate. ⋯ The primary end point (ACR20-CRP response) was not met despite significant biologic effects of atacicept that were consistent with its proposed mechanism of action. Modest effects of atacicept were seen for some secondary efficacy end points. Treatment with atacicept raised no new safety concerns.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Jul 2011
Does cancer that occurs during or after anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy have a worse prognosis? A national assessment of overall and site-specific cancer survival in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with biologic agents.
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) may affect tumor development and spreading. While data on the incidence of cancer following anti-TNF therapy have been published, the purpose of this study was to examine the clinical presentation and outcome of cancers that develop during or after anti-TNF therapy. ⋯ During routine care, cancers that occur following anti-TNF therapy are not characterized by any markedly altered stage at presentation or by altered post-cancer survival rates.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Jul 2011
17β-estradiol aggravates temporomandibular joint inflammation through the NF-κB pathway in ovariectomized rats.
Women of childbearing age are more likely than men to experience temporomandibular disorders, with pain as the main symptom. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) inflammation is believed to be a major reason for TMJ pain. Whether sex hormones are involved in the sexual dimorphism of TMJ inflammation and pain remains to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to examine whether estrogen affects TMJ inflammation and pain via the NF-κB pathway. ⋯ These results suggest that estradiol aggravates TMJ inflammation through the NF-κB pathway, leading to the induction of proinflammatory cytokines.