RA drug reduces inflammation in stroke patients
Tuesday March 27th, 2018
People in the early stages of a stroke have benefitted from an anti-inflammatory drug normally used for rheumatoid arthritis, a new research has found.
The drug, Kineret, which is licensed for treating rheumatoid arthritis, was given as a small injection just under the skin to patients.
Scientists at The University of Manchester have previously shown that the protein IL-1 increases inflammation and brain injury following a stroke.
The researchers, who have published their findings in Stroke found that Kineret blocks the actions of IL-1, which is released into the body following injury caused by a stroke.
The double-blind trial looked at ischemic strokes only and involved 80 participants in the study, which was carried out at Salford’s Greater Manchester Stroke Centre at Salford Royal.
Patients were wither given six doses of the drug or placebo over three days. The first dose was given within six hours after the onset of the stroke symptoms.
Inflammatory markers were measured in the blood before treatment began and during study treatment.
Professor Craig Smith, of The University of Manchester and Salford Royal, said: “Though strokes affect different people in different ways, for many people they have a devastating effect on their long-term health and wellbeing.
“Excessive inflammation after a stroke is known to be harmful and predicts a worse outcome in patients.
“We have shown that Kineret injections, started within six hours of stroke onset significantly reduces levels of inflammation in patients.”
Hilary Reynolds, executive director of strategy and research at the Stroke Association, which funded the study, added: “This study builds on evidence that IL-1Ra (Kineret) helps to reduce inflammation and brain damage in a wide range of stroke patients soon after a stroke.
“The drug can be given quickly, via injection or via a drip. This means that it can be used in different settings, for example, it could potentially be given in ambulances on the way to hospital.
“The brain loses around 2 million brain cells every minute during a stroke, so this could provide a major step forward in fast and effective treatment of stroke.
“The research has not yet proven that this drug can reduce patient disability after stroke. However, if further trials are successful, we hope it could vastly improve outcomes and quality of life for people who have had a stroke.”
Further research is needed to see if Kineret is an effective treatment for ischemic stroke and if it can be given alongside current treatments such as clot-busting drugs.
Smith C, Hulme S, Vail A et al. Subcutaneous interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in ischemic stroke : a randomized controlled phase 2 trial. Stroke March 2018; doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.118.020750.
Tags: A&E | Brain & Neurology | Pharmaceuticals | UK News
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