MedicalResearch.com - Latest news, interviews, and insights into medical research, health and wellness, fitness and addiction.
Author Interviews, Gout / 27.06.2025

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Orrin M. Troum, MD Orrin M. Troum, MD, is a Clinical Professor of Medicine and Voluntary Faculty Member of the Division of Rheumatology Keck School of Medicine- UCLA Director, Clinical Rheumatology Research Providence St John's Hospital Santa Monica, California MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Who is more likely to develop uncontrolled gout? Response: The Phase 4, open-label FORWARD trial was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of less frequent, monthly dosing of KRYSTEXXA® (pegloticase) co-administered with methotrexate (MTX) in patients with uncontrolled gout. KRYSTEXXA remains the only FDA-approved therapy for this challenging condition, but with continued research like the FORWARD trial, we can further improve and evolve the treatment landscape for patients. This study reflects a broader effort to optimize gout care with approaches that are not only effective but also more sustainable in real-world settings. Uncontrolled gout happens when gout is not properly treated and uric acid levels continue to rise, which can have a damaging impact on the body beyond the pain of regular flares. Those experiencing uncontrolled gout continue to have signs and symptoms of gout despite taking oral urate-lowering medicines. (more…)
Abuse and Neglect, Gout, Rheumatology / 22.06.2024

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Brian LaMoreaux, MD, MS Internist and Rheumatologist Executive Medical Director, Amgen MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? How does KRYSTEXXA® (pegloticase) work in gout? Response: Many other diseases in gout have well-defined definitions of remission, but gout has lagged behind on this. With systemic consequences of gout becoming more apparent, the concept of treating gout to remission is increasing important to improving patient care and preserving patient health.   Our MIRROR randomized controlled trial (RCT) provides data beyond the primary and secondary endpoints and allows us to look at aspects like the rate of gout remission (i.e. serum urate level (SU) <6 mg/dL, absence of acute gout flare, absence of tophi, minimal gout-related pain, and minimal gout-related quality-of-life impact over a 12-month period) achieved with KRYSTEXXA-induced intensive urate-lowering. Continuing to advance knowledge that can positively impact patient care is our driving force for the research. KRYSTEXXA is approved for the treatment of uncontrolled gout, for those experiencing signs and symptoms of gout despite taking oral medicines. It is the only gout treatment that controls uncontrolled gout by changing uric acid into a water-soluble substance called allantoin that he body easily gets rid of through urine. (more…)
Amgen, Author Interviews, Gastrointestinal Disease, Gluten / 07.06.2018

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Markku Mäki, MD, PhD Professor (emeritus) at the University of Tampere and Presently research director at the Tampere University Hospital Tampere, Finland MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: The only treatment for this life-long gluten-induced autoimmune systemic disease is a strict avoidance of wheat, rye and barley, the food cereals which contain gluten, the environmental trigger and driving force in celiac disease.  Gluten causes intestinal inflammation, usually with (but sometimes without) gastrointestinal or nutritional symptoms or signs, and with frequent extra-intestinal diseases. However, it is impossible for celiac disease patients to avoid gluten entirely and indefinitely and a third of patients report symptoms on a strict gluten-free diet. Gut mucosal healing is not optimal in half of the patients, and inflammation and injury is detected for years after starting the diet, presumably due to contamination with gluten in the diet. This is why patients are requesting, and academia and industry are looking for novel adjunct therapies for celiac disease. Initially, these therapies are tested to prevent the consequences of hidden gluten; the ultimate goal being that also celiacs could one day eat safely wheat, barley and rye products. Some 20 novel experimental therapies are at present actively being investigated (modifying wheat or different drugs, devices and vaccines/immunotherapy). The present study investigated whether blocking interleukin 15, an important mediator of celiac disease, reduces or prevents gluten-driven ill health, both the inflammation and injury at the small intestinal mucosal level and gluten-induced symptoms. The experimental drug used was Amgen’s AMG 714, a human monoclonal antibody, used at a low and high dose, in the presence or absence of a high-dose gluten challenge. (more…)