Possible breakthrough for Arthritis !

Cure For Rheumatoid Arthritis?

A team of British researchers has announced that they have found what causes rheumatoid arthritis. The so called B-cells that are responsible for this cripling disease. These are white blood cells that accidentally attack healthy tissues. In tests, a single treatment with the new drug wipes out the destructive B cells.

It appears to be a major advance in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis -- the first evidence of a safe and effective cure.

Researchers have treated twenty patients so far. Some have had rheumatoid arthritis for more than twenty years. Most have been able to return to normal lives. Only two saw no benefit at all. Of 20 patients who underwent 18 months of treatment, five now have only some residual pain from the damage already done.

Dr. Jonathan Edwards of University College in London is involved in this project

B-cells are the white blood cells (B Lymphocytes) that defend the body against viruses and bacteria by making antibodies that attack the hostile microbes. B-cells often accidentally make antibodies that attack healthy tissue; some of those errant antibodies then also trigger the production of copies of themselves. In that case, rheumatoid arthritis can follow, as the collagen which normally allows the joints to move smoothly becomes shredded and rough.

The B lymphocytes were removed using a new drug, Mabthera, also called rituximab, developed by Hoffman la Roche, in conjunction with prednisoline, a steroid, and cyclophosphyamide, also called cytoxan. The treatment required two short hospital stays for intravenous infusions of the drugs.

Doctors caution it will be five years before the drugs are in the market -- but they say this could mark the beginning of the end for a debilitating disease.

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