Scientists have discovered that an existing drug for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) could prevent the disease in people at risk, a development described as 'promising' by researchers. The drug, abatacept, is currently prescribed to patients with established RA, but a clinical trial led by King's College London has shown it can slow or stop the progression of the disease in those with early symptoms.
The study, published in The Lancet, recruited 213 patients from 28 early arthritis clinics in the UK and the Netherlands, all deemed at risk of RA. Of these, 110 received abatacept and the rest a placebo. After 12 months, 92.8% of the abatacept group remained arthritis-free compared to 69.2% in the placebo group. After two years, 25% of the treated group had progressed to RA, versus 37% in the placebo group.
Professor Andrew Cope, of King's College London, said: 'This is the largest rheumatoid arthritis prevention trial to date and the first to show that a therapy licensed for use in treating established rheumatoid arthritis is also effective in preventing the onset of disease in people at risk.' He added that the drug not only prevented onset but also eased symptoms such as pain and fatigue.
One patient, Philip Day, 35, of Eltham, south-east London, was enrolled in the trial in 2018. Joint pain had stopped him from playing football, but after treatment he said: 'Within a few months I had no more aches or pains and five years on I'd say I've been cured. Now, I can play football with my three-year-old son and have a normal life.'
Professor Lucy Donaldson, of the charity Versus Arthritis, welcomed the findings, saying the research highlights the importance of spotting early signs of arthritis to stop it in its tracks, offering hope to thousands at risk of RA.
