Trialware drug shows promise for arthritis

A clinical trial masitinib a study drug for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, has shown that it is well tolerated and effective. The researchers write in BioMed Central's open access journal Arthritis Research and treatment have shown that treatment with masitinib reduced the severity of active arthritis.

Olivier Hermine with researchers from several hospitals french for the implementation of this study of 43 arthritis patients resistant to current treatments. He said: "In the selection of measures for the management of rheumatoid arthritis, it is important to recognize that treatment must be for the remission of the disease and are not used to manage the intermittent crises. We are encouraged by this study, masitinib appears that not only efficient, but in the first 3 months of treatment in the worst of its side effects has been what can be long-term treatment with the study. "He adds:" The results of this study will help to ensure the critical role of mast cells in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis and its viability as a therapeutic target. There is sufficient evidence for others, placebo-controlled, d inquiry. "

Masitinib inhibits the activity of mast cells, a component of the immune system are thought in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. The clinical improvement, the study was supported by the laboratory detection reduces inflammation. The authors found that the negative effects of treatment were mainly mild to moderate.

Alain Moussy Science AB, a pharmaceutical company, masitinib development for several indications of human and veterinary medicine, said, "This is an important step for us, articles, publication of the first masitinib in a human study. " Speaking of drugs, Alain Moussy, said: "Our preclinical studies have shown that selectively targets masitinib-cell receptors is known that various diseases, but are not employed in the context of toxicity, including cardiotoxicity.