A systematic review published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases suggests, that biological agents used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis seem to be linked with an increased risk of skin cancer. Inflammatory arthritis has been associated with an increased risk of some types of cancers, in particular with lymphoma and lung cancer but with a lower risk of other cancer types, such as bowel and breast cancers.

Researchers set out to clarify whether tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, i.e. drugs acting on the immune system, might affect the risk of cancer, by evaluating several clinical research databases, findings presented to the American College of Rheumatology, the European League against Rheumatism, and the British Society for Rheumatology between 1998 and 2010.

The findings were based on 21 studies and 8 conference abstracts, all complying to the strict inclusion criteria of reporting data on cancer linked to TNF inhibitors, including the monoclonal antibodies infliximab and adalimumab and the protein etanercept. In total researchers collated information on over 40,000 patients and nearly 150,000 cumulative years of exposure to these drugs.

The combined risk from seven studies for the development of any cancer revealed negligible or no increased risk, overall.

Two studies also showed no evidence of an increased cancer risk in patients taking TNF inhibitors over long-term, however, those previously diagnosed with cancer had a higher chance of being re-diagnosed with the disease, although this was not due to using TNF inhibitors.

Four studies revealed that patients treated with TNF inhibitors had a 45% higher chance of developing skin cancer other than melanoma, whereas two studies showed, that patients taking TNF inhibitors had a 79% increased risk of developing a melanoma compared with those who did not take these drugs.

The authors conclude:

"This systematic review and meta analysis provides reassurance to physicians and patients that the treatment of [rheumatoid arthritis] with TNF inhibitors does not increase the risk of malignancy, particularly lymphoma. However, it does appear to increase the risk of skin cancer, including melanoma."


Written by Petra Rattue
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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Chondroitin sulfate has been revealed in a new investigation to considerably reduce pain, improve hand function, enhance grip strength and relieve morning stiffness for individuals with osteoarthritis (OA) of the hand, in comparison with patients in the placebo group. Results of the study are available in Arthritis & Rheumatism, a journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR).

In the U.S., osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, is estimated by the ACR to affect over 27 million adults. According to the Global Burden of Disease 2000 study from the World Health Organization (WHO), around 10% of the world population 60 years and over have OA. Previous investigations have discovered that OA of the hand affects 20% to 30% of adults. After 60 years of age, the incidence rose to over 50%.

Cem Gabay, M.D., with University Hospitals of Geneva in Switzerland and lead investigation of the Finger osteoArthritis Chondroitin Treatment Study (FACTS), explained:

"Although hand OA is highly prevalent among adults and can significantly impact the quality of life for suffers, therapeutic options are still limited. There are few trials examining therapeutic approaches specific to hand OA and much of the available evidence has been extrapolated from studies investigating other forms of OA."


162 patients with radiographic hand osteoarthritis were included in the single-center, placebo-controlled FACTS trial, all of whom met inclusion criteria, spontaneous hand pain on the visual analogue scale (VAS) of 40 mm (scale 0-100) or more and Functional Index for Hand OA (FIHOA) level of 6 (scale 0-30). The participants were divided into two groups, 80 patients received 800 mg of chondroitin sulfate, and 82 patients received a placebo once daily over a 6 month period.

Results revealed that in the chondroitin sulfate group, patients had a considerable reduction in global hand pain in comparison to the other group, displaying a decrease of 8.7 on the VAS. Chondroitin sulfate was also shown to substantially improve hand function, reflecting a decrease of over 2 points on the FIHOA, and reduce morning stiffness compared to the placebo group.

Dr. Gabay concluded:

"Our findings show chondroitin sulfate is a safe and effective treatment for patients with hand OA. Alternative therapies, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), provide similar pain reducing effects, but with considerably more long-term toxicities."


A naturally occurring molecule and a main component of joint cartilage, the chondroitin sulfate agent used in this investigation (Chondrosulf®) is licensed as a drug in Europe and not as a nutripharmaceutical; Chondroitin sulfate is sold in the United States as a supplement and usually paired with glucosamine.

Written by Grace Rattue
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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It's called First Trolley to Van Nuys and shows the center of a town filled with people.Another painting that I admire is called Howard in 1944. It was painted in 1988 by Reverend Howard Finster and is done in vibrant colors and also depicts the buildings in the market like an ice cream parlor and the Hotel Van Nuys. I'll find someone to give it to.One of the most famous American artists is Thomas Chambers. I don't particularly care for his art. It's a beautiful painting but it's just too depressing to hang anywhere.The painting that has touched me the most features a sad little girl and is called A Letter From My Mother. I don't know whose smile is bigger, the one in the painting or the one on my face every time I look at it. She favors animal prints, and I found one that depicts leopards and gave it to her for her birthday. When she died, she left me the painting and it hangs in a place of honor over my fireplace mantle. I personally don't have any of these in my collection, since I like to collect pieces that I can relate to.There is a subcategory of folk art paintings that depict the world of black Americans. One of my favorites that she had was done by John Roeder. It's too bad my parents didn't let her play football with the boys and I used to tease her relentlessly and pull her pigtails whenever I.....

, with University Hospitals of Geneva in Switzerland and lead investigation of the Finger osteoArthritis Chondroitin Treatment Study (FACTS), explained: "Although hand OA is highly prevalent among adults and can significantly impact the quality of life for suffers, therapeutic options are still limited."162 patients with radiographic hand osteoarthritis were included in the single-center, placebo-controlled FACTS trial, all of whom met inclusion criteria, spontaneous hand pain on the visual analogue scale (VAS) of 40 mm (scale 0-100) or more and Functional Index for Hand OA (FIHOA) level of 6 (scale 0-30). Two studies also showed no evidence of an increased cancer risk in patients taking TNF inhibitors over long-term, however, those previously diagnosed with cancer had a higher chance of being re-diagnosed with the disease, although this was not due to using TNF inhibitors. Chondroitin sulfate was also shown to substantially improve hand function, reflecting a decrease of over 2 points on the FIHOA, and reduce morning stiffness compared to the placebo group. Alternative therapies, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), provide similar pain reducing effects, but with considerably more long-term toxicities. Written by Grace Rattue Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today Additional References Citations Chondroitin sulfate has been revealed in a new investigation to considerably reduce pain, improve hand function, enhance grip strength and relieve morning stiffness for individuals with osteoarthritis (OA) of the hand, in comparison with patients in the placebo group."A naturally occurring molecule and a main component of joint cartilage, the chondroitin sulfate agent used in this investigation (Chondrosulf®) is licensed as a drug in Europe and not as a nutripharmaceutical; Chondroitin sulfate is sold in the United States as a supplement and usually paired with glucosamine. The participants were divided into two groups, 80 patients received 800 mg of chondroitin sulfate, It is done in vibrant colors and also depicts the buildings in the market like an ice cream parlor and the Hotel Van Nuys.The painting that has touched me the most features a sad little girl and is called A Letter From My Mother. When she died, she left me the painting and it hangs in a place of honor over my fireplace mantle.. It's too bad my parents didn't let her play football with us. I have a friend who collects these and I found one of a woman reclining in a hammock. If she could kick the ball they way she liked to kick me in the knee, I'd see to it she played for my team every time. I personally don't have any of these in my collection, since I like to collect pieces that I can relate to. Now we're very close. It's pretty funny to me that when we were growing up, she'd cry because she wasn't allowed to play football with the boys and I used to tease her relentlessly and pull her pigtails whenever I got the chance. Maybe it's because I spent a lot of time with my grandmother and her house was full of them. It's called First Trolley to Van Nuys and shows the center of a town filled with people. I don't particularly care for his art.I have loved folk art paintings since I was a child. It's a beautiful painting but it's just too depressing to hang anywhere. One of my favorites that she had was done by John Roeder. It's called Alligator Fisher and I'm thinking about getting because it reminds me of my cajun heritage, most of my family is from Louisiana.Another painting that I admire is called Howard in

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A systematic review published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases suggests, that biological agents used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis seem to be linked with an increased risk of skin cancer. Inflammatory arthritis has been associated with an increased risk of some types of cancers, in particular with lymphoma and lung cancer but with a lower risk of other cancer types, such as bowel and breast cancers.

Researchers set out to clarify whether tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, i.e. drugs acting on the immune system, might affect the risk of cancer, by evaluating several clinical research databases, findings presented to the American College of Rheumatology, the European League against Rheumatism, and the British Society for Rheumatology between 1998 and 2010.

The findings were based on 21 studies and 8 conference abstracts, all complying to the strict inclusion criteria of reporting data on cancer linked to TNF inhibitors, including the monoclonal antibodies infliximab and adalimumab and the protein etanercept. In total researchers collated information on over 40,000 patients and nearly 150,000 cumulative years of exposure to these drugs.

The combined risk from seven studies for the development of any cancer revealed negligible or no increased risk, overall.

Two studies also showed no evidence of an increased cancer risk in patients taking TNF inhibitors over long-term, however, those previously diagnosed with cancer had a higher chance of being re-diagnosed with the disease, although this was not due to using TNF inhibitors.

Four studies revealed that patients treated with TNF inhibitors had a 45% higher chance of developing skin cancer other than melanoma, whereas two studies showed, that patients taking TNF inhibitors had a 79% increased risk of developing a melanoma compared with those who did not take these drugs.

The authors conclude:

"This systematic review and meta analysis provides reassurance to physicians and patients that the treatment of [rheumatoid arthritis] with TNF inhibitors does not increase the risk of malignancy, particularly lymphoma. However, it does appear to increase the risk of skin cancer, including melanoma."


Written by Petra Rattue
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

  • Additional
  • References
  • Citations

Chondroitin sulfate has been revealed in a new investigation to considerably reduce pain, improve hand function, enhance grip strength and relieve morning stiffness for individuals with osteoarthritis (OA) of the hand, in comparison with patients in the placebo group. Results of the study are available in Arthritis & Rheumatism, a journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR).

In the U.S., osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, is estimated by the ACR to affect over 27 million adults. According to the Global Burden of Disease 2000 study from the World Health Organization (WHO), around 10% of the world population 60 years and over have OA. Previous investigations have discovered that OA of the hand affects 20% to 30% of adults. After 60 years of age, the incidence rose to over 50%.

Cem Gabay, M.D., with University Hospitals of Geneva in Switzerland and lead investigation of the Finger osteoArthritis Chondroitin Treatment Study (FACTS), explained:

"Although hand OA is highly prevalent among adults and can significantly impact the quality of life for suffers, therapeutic options are still limited. There are few trials examining therapeutic approaches specific to hand OA and much of the available evidence has been extrapolated from studies investigating other forms of OA."


162 patients with radiographic hand osteoarthritis were included in the single-center, placebo-controlled FACTS trial, all of whom met inclusion criteria, spontaneous hand pain on the visual analogue scale (VAS) of 40 mm (scale 0-100) or more and Functional Index for Hand OA (FIHOA) level of 6 (scale 0-30). The participants were divided into two groups, 80 patients received 800 mg of chondroitin sulfate, and 82 patients received a placebo once daily over a 6 month period.

Results revealed that in the chondroitin sulfate group, patients had a considerable reduction in global hand pain in comparison to the other group, displaying a decrease of 8.7 on the VAS. Chondroitin sulfate was also shown to substantially improve hand function, reflecting a decrease of over 2 points on the FIHOA, and reduce morning stiffness compared to the placebo group.

Dr. Gabay concluded:

"Our findings show chondroitin sulfate is a safe and effective treatment for patients with hand OA. Alternative therapies, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), provide similar pain reducing effects, but with considerably more long-term toxicities."


A naturally occurring molecule and a main component of joint cartilage, the chondroitin sulfate agent used in this investigation (Chondrosulf®) is licensed as a drug in Europe and not as a nutripharmaceutical; Chondroitin sulfate is sold in the United States as a supplement and usually paired with glucosamine.

Written by Grace Rattue
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

  • Additional
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  • Citations