Juvenile Arthritis Drug Approved

A new drug to help treat juvenile arthritis among children has recently been approved, the Daily Mail reports.

Trial data shows that after 40 weeks of treatment with the drug RoActemra (tocilizumab), two-thirds of sufferers between the age of two and 16, suffering from polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) experienced a 70 percent improvement in symptoms compared to those sufferers who took a placebo. pJIA is an illness that is currently incurable and that which results to the crippling and inflammation of the joint. Approximately 2,300 British children are currently affected and a third of them will need to undergo early joing replacement.

Tocilizumab was the drug used to previously treat rheumatoid arthritis among adults and works by blocking the immune messenger called IL-6, which results to fever and inflammation of the joints and organs. The drug was licensed for pJIA following data from a trial demonstrating that children treated with the drug experienced remarkable improvements in both signs and symptoms of the condition.

Dr. Athimalaipet Ramana, lead consultant in pediatric rheumatology at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children and the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, said: "The fact that the drug will now be readily available for patients across the UK gives hope to hundreds of children that doing the things that other kids do in their day-to-day lives may soon be a reality. Judi Rhys, chief executive of the Arthritis Care charity says: "This is fantastic news for children as it offers them hope for the future."

pJIA may suddenly affect children and harm five or more of their joints. As a result, they may experience stiffness, swelling and pain, as well as limited movement. Some children may even end up in wheelchairs if their condition is not immediately addressed.