New research has found that the amyloid protein curli triggers immune activation and autoantibody production in lupus-prone and wild-type mice. Stefania Gallucci, MD, says these results provide insight into the mechanisms of bacterial infection that may result in lupus…
MUMBAI (Reuters)—The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has subpoenaed India’s largest drugmaker Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. seeking information about the pricing and marketing of the generic drugs it sells in the U.S., the company said on Saturday. The DOJ’s antitrust division has also asked Sun Pharma’s U.S. unit for documents related to employee and corporate records…
A variety of immune and nonimmune pathophysiologic mechanisms causing the disruption of alveolar capillaries with bleeding into the alveolar spaces can lead to diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH). Immune-mediated mechanisms can cause DAH with or without the presence of capillaritis. The antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)–associated vasculitis (AAV) syndromes—granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA)—are the…
SEOUL (Reuters)—South Korea’s Samsung Bioepis said on Monday its biosimilar of Johnson & Johnson’s blockbuster rheumatoid arthritis drug Remicade (infliximab) has received final approval from European regulators, paving the way for its second product launch in Europe. Samsung Bioepis, an unlisted arm of South Korea’s top conglomerate Samsung Group, also said last week the biosimilar…
The FDA has issued new safety guidelines for systemic fluoroquinolones, restricting their use to patients with no alternative treatment options…
ZURICH (Reuters)—Switzerland’s biggest drugmakers are clashing over cheaper copies of pricey biotech drugs—one reason why Novartis is considering selling its $14 billion stake in cross-town rival Roche. With a copycat of Roche’s blood cancer drug Rituxan (rituximab) pending European approval, Novartis aims to muscle in on a share of sales that last year hit 7…
A recent editorial in Arthritis & Rheumatology explored the role of sensitization, not nociception, as a key mechanism of pain for patients with knee OA, as well as inflammation’s role in pain perception. Recent research of synovitis and joint effusion supports the idea that early prevention or treatment of sensitization may be paramount to reducing long-term pain in patients with knee OA…
(Reuters Health)—Massage is better than nothing for pain relief, according to a new review. The therapy may also be an acceptable choice for people considering other options, such as acupuncture and physical therapy. “It should be considered at least for musculoskeletal pain as a viable option in the mix of pain management techniques in these areas,”…
(Reuters)—Eli Lilly and Co. on Tuesday said it and partner Pfizer Inc. aim to seek approval by 2018 for a new type of pain drug that could be an alternative to opioids for osteoarthritis, chronic back pain and cancer pain. The Indianapolis drugmaker said tanezumab, given by injection every eight weeks, could be a far…
CHICAGO (Reuters)—A letter arrives in the mail with this opening line: “We are writing to let you know how you can get help paying your Medicare costs.” Your fraud detector probably goes on high alert—the mailboxes of retirees routinely are stuffed with bogus come-ons. But this letter is no scam. More than 2 million seniors…