Drugs widely used to treat symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis may benefit patients suffering from other autoimmune conditions, scientists believe.

Professor Marc Feldmann is set to present his findings at this year's Congress of European Pharmacological Societies, demonstrating how the development of anti-TNF drugs are successful in treating chronic inflammatory conditions, including Crohn's disease, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and ulcerative colitis.

"In autoimmune diseases, such as arthritis, we discovered that cytokines are over-produced causing the immune system to fight itself, resulting in inflammation and tissue destruction," he explained.

"We further found that by blocking just one cytokine – Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) alpha – we were able to block all the cytokines involved in the inflammation, with remarkable clinical results."

Moving forward with the results, professor Feldmann hopes to address the potential therapeutic targets in patients suffering from atherosclerosis.

The 5th Congress of the Federation of European Pharmacological Societies is due to be held in Manchester, UK, this week.

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• HUMIRA 40 mg - 51.61%
  Rheumatoid arthritis Humira in combination with methotrexate, is indicated for: § the treatment of moderate to severe, active rheumatoid arthritis in adult patients when the response to disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs including methotrexate has been inadequate. § the treatment of severe ...
  
  
• ECONAC - 51.61%
  ... in a wide range of conditions, including: arthritic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteo-arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, acute gout; acute musculoskeletal disorders such as peri-arthritis (eg, frozen shoulder), tendinitis, tenosynovitis, bursitis; other painful conditions resulting from ...
  
  
• INDOCID - 49.42%
  Indocid Capsules and Indocid Suppositories: Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, degenerative joint disease of the hip, ankylosing spondylitis, acute gouty arthritis, lumbago, acute peri-articular disorders, orthopaedic procedures. Dysmenorrhoea. Indocid-R: As above except acute gouty arthritis ...
  
  
• MOBIC - 48.68%
  ... symptomatic treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (chronic polyarthritis); symptomatic treatment of ankylosing spondylitis. Mobic Tablets: Osteoarthritis, 7.5 mg once daily at mealtimes. Increase if necessary to maximum 15 mg once daily. Rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, 15 mg once daily ...
  
  
• ARCOXIA Film-coated Tablets - 47.95%
  For the symptomatic relief of osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the pain and signs of inflammation associated with acute gouty arthritis. The decision to prescribe a selective COX-2 inhibitor should be based on an assessment of the individual patient's overall risks (See ...
  
  
• PLAQUENIL - 47.95%
  Rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus. Skin conditions erythematosus. Skin conditions aggravated by sunlight ...