Humira/Adalimumab – Cambridge Antibody Technology/Abbot Labs (www.humira.com)

How does it work?

Humira is a completely human bioengineered protein and is an anti-TNF – it binds to and inhibits the TNF within the body.

How is it administered?

Patients inject themselves with a pre-filled 40mg syringe into the thighs or stomach every other week.

What are the side effects?

A risk of swelling or infection at injection site; higher risk of opportunistic infections including TB; nausea, chills, headaches, dizziness; higher than average risk of lymphoma and developing lupus-type symptoms.

No tests have been carried out on the effects of Humira on pregnant women, unborn children or breastfeeding.

However, these are short term side effects. The long term effects cannot be calculated until the drug has been widely used for many years across a large number of patients

What are the results?

Trials for psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis showed after 24 weeks of treatment with bi-weekly injections, 42% of patients with moderate to severe symptoms experienced improvements of 90% or more. Two thirds experienced a 75% improvement. All patients stated they felt their quality of life had improved.

There are over 20 other biologics being created and trialed at this point. Any which reach patient use levels will be reported here.

We do have members of PHO either taking some of the above as patients or in trials. Further information and discussion are within the forums.

SJ Oct 2005