Drug Offers Help For People With Lupus Posted: 10-26-03 20:34pm
Drug offers help for people with lupus
by mike schneider
associated press writer
posted october 25 2003, 9:40 am edt
orlando, fla. -- a drug used to prevent
organ rejection in transplant patients
works as well as chemotherapy for treating
kidney failure from lupus but with fewer
side effects, a study shows.
Side effects from chemotherapy, including
hair loss, anemia, loss of appetite and
nausea, sometimes prevent some patients
from completing their treatment.
"having an alternative that provides fewer
side effects is a very important thing for
patients," said sandra c. Raymond,
president and chief executive officer of
the lupus foundation of america inc. She
noted there haven't been any new drugs for
lupus in 30 years.
The research compared the effectiveness of
oral doses of cellcept, which suppresses
the immune system, with chemotherapy, the
standard treatment for patients with lupus
nephritis, a serious complication of
lupus.
"our study shows tremendous promise," said
the lead researcher, Dr. Ellen ginzler of
the suny downstate medical center in new
york. "it can be an alternative standard
of care."
the research was to be released saturday
at the american college of rheumatology's
annual meeting in orlando.
Lupus is an inflammatory disease that
affects between 500,000 and 1.5 million
people in the united states, primarily
women between ages 18 and 45. About half
of lupus patients get lupus nephritis,
which in its most serious form can cause
kidney failure.
The 130 study participants received either
cellcept or intravenous doses of
cyclophosphamide.
In the cellcept group, there were 14
complete and 21 partial remissions
compared to four complete and 14 partial
remissions in the chemotherapy group.
Fifty-two of the 66 patients on cellcept
completed the six months of treatment,
while only 38 of the 64 patients on
chemotherapy finished their treatment.
Severe infections also were less common in
the patients taking cellcept, according to
the research sponsored by the food and
drug administration.
Martha emerson, a 52-year-old homemaker in
suburban orlando, began taking cellcept
four months ago after chemotherapy and
other treatments failed. The only side
effects she has had are mouth sores and
difficulty getting to sleep.
"it's not a miracle drug, but it's a very
big help," she said. Email story
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*my* Experience With Cellcept... Posted: 10-27-03 07:39am
Amen! Amen! Amen! I think this drug has
truly saved my life!
I am *not* hyperbolizing, either!
I was on 60 mg of prednisone, methotrexate
(a chemo drug used in a lot of ra
patients) and still dropping protein. It
was so scary. After just over six months
on this drug, I have trace or less on my
protein tests, an occasional rbc or wbc
(but nothing like before!) and I feel like
I am finally coming out of a two year
flare.
Thanks mark for posting this!
Ladybrannon
|
shirl
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 23 Nov 2003 Posts: 2 Location: canada
Posted: 11-23-03 03:41am
Hi, new to forum. What if this drug and
where can I get info on it?
|
LadyBrannon
Active User, Really EHEALTHy
Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 506 Location: TX
Posted: 11-23-03 08:12am
Hi there! Welcome to the group!
Cellcept is made by roche ladboratories.
Check their website!
Hugs,
ladybrannon
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shirl
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 23 Nov 2003 Posts: 2 Location: canada
Posted: 11-24-03 20:03pm
Thanks for posting a reply so quickly,i
have had sle for 13yrs. I'm not as bad
off as others but I am not in remission
any longer so i'm off to check the
website. Goodbye for now!
