January 2014

While multiple sclerosis (MS) has traditionally been thought of as being a T-cell mediated disease, an increasing body of evidence suggests that B cells and autoantibodies are involved in the pathology of MS, providing support for the use of treatments directed against B cells.

In secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS), patients show worsening gait disorder and ambulatory dysfunction that require the use of a cane, a walker, or a wheelchair. Treatment options for SPMS are limited, but several new therapies show promise.

Adherence is defined as conforming to the recommendations made by the provider with respect to timing, dosage, and frequency of medication taking, and following these recommendations is important for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) to fully benefit from disease-modifying therapies (DMTs).

Fumaric acid esters (FAEs) are a known component of a centuries-old herbal medicine, have been used for over 50 years as a topical treatment for psoriasis, and most recently, have demonstrated efficacy in treating relapsing- remitting multiple sclerosis.

At least 8 phase III clinical trials in the United States were recruiting participants for studies of treatments for chronic hepatitis C virus (HVC) infection as of late June 2014.

In a phase II trial, combination treatment with Gilead's simeprevir (Olysio) and Janssen's simeprevir (Sovaldi) yielded functional cure rates exceeding 90% in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) who received 12 weeks of therapy-even among difficult-to-treat patients.

Understanding the current guidelines for hepatitis C (HCV) treatment and the role of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents is a priority for healthcare professionals.

The Fair Pricing Coalition (FPC) works closely with the pharmaceutical industry to ensure patient access to copay and patient assistant programs (PAPs) for people with HCV. Most pharmaceutical companies have collaborated with the FPC to coordinate programs that are typically based on income adjusted for family and/or household size.

The clinical management of patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection represents an ideal opportunity for the benefits of precision medicine and the individualization of patient care. This is particularly true given the importance of genetic and nongenetic factors that have recently been identified as critical to HCV infection management.

An estimated 3.3% of people in the United States born between 1945 and 1965 have chronic hepatitis C infection. The increased risk of infection in this population has recently led the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to recommend one-time hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing for all persons in this age cohort.

On March 21, 2014, the US Food and Drug Administration announced the approval of Celgene Corporation's Otezla (apremilast), an oral tablet indicated to treat active psoriatic arthritis in adults. Otezla has a single contraindication: known hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or any excipients in Otezla tablets.

Researchers are testing promising new biologic agents that target different aspects of the inflammatory pathway in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Although several medications and dietary factors have been implicated, as causes of gout, much of the risk of developing the condition is controlled through genetics, and the pathophysiology of the disease is incompletely understood.

The choice of an appropriate disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) is complicated by the availability of several agents and the lack of comparative effectiveness studies. Until recently, the scientific consensus did not favor any agent over another as the most appropriate initial biologic DMARD for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

In recent years, introduction of biologic agents for treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has changed the landscape of RA management.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is responsible for premature mortality, disability, reduced quality of life, and higher health care costs in the United States.

Although not completely understood, the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis is thought to involve an external trigger (eg, trauma, cigarette smoke, infection) that induces an autoimmune reaction, resulting in synovial hypertrophy and chronic joint inflammation in persons who are genetically susceptible.

Study suggests coagulation factor products should be billed through the pharmacy benefit and provided by specialty pharmacies.

Study results show FEIBA (anti-inhibitor coagulant complex) produced a 72 percent reduction in median annual bleed rate compared to treatment with an on-demand regimen.

Study results suggest that patients with long-term HIV who also have hemophilia may have an increased proportion of immune cells in their blood that target HIV.

Hemophilia B patients treated with a new hybrid protein experience more effective coagulation that requires fewer injections.

The AJMCtv Peer Exchange video editorial series provides a multi-stakeholder perspective on important issues facing medical professionals in the evolving healthcare landscape. The recent multi-part "Rare Diseases" panel discussion featured several segments that focused on the treatment of hemophilia.

Scientists have successfully engineered platelet cells in dogs to express higher levels of factor VIII, paving the way for further tests in humans.

Improved outcomes and options for overcoming resistance to targeted therapies are still needed in metastatic melanoma.

Immune-regulating cytotoxic T-lymphocyteassociated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) puts the brakes on activated immune cells as an "immune checkpoint molecule" that downregulates pathways of T-cell activation

As basic research on new targets for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment continues, novel therapies move through phase II trials.

The Janus kinase ( JAK) molecule is an immunomodulating signal transduction agent, which has emerged as a new target for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) research.

During the past decade, changes in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been accumulating faster than treatment experience can be evaluated.

Despite decades of investigation, the causes of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have remained elusive.

At the same time that the incidence of melanoma is rising globally,1 this most aggressive skin cancer is being unwound at a molecular level.