Scientists develop drug to 'switch off' arthritis
Scientists believe they have discovered a drug that can treat arthritis, it emerged today.
The drug is in early stages of development but scientists at Newcastle University in England believe it could help thousands of sufferers by “switching off” their condition.
Some 350,000 people in Britain endure rheumatoid arthritis, which leaves many crippled and unable to live a full life.
The disease causes inflammation of the lining membrane of joints, resulting in swelling, and can lead to severe damage of the joints.
This is as a result of being attacked by the immune system, which wrongly believes there is a threat from a foreign object.
But scientists say the drug can stop this mistake and therefore “switch off” the painful condition.
Professor John Isaacs, Professor of Clinical Rheumatology at Newcastle University, said it could be several years before the drug was available commercially.
He told BBC Look North: “Patients with rheumatoid arthritis respond very differently to different drugs.
“We believe that, at least in some patients, it should be possible to ‘switch off’ their disease – either for ever or for a limited period of time – through just a short course of treatment.”
The drug is being developed at the new immune therapy centre, which is due to open at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle in December.
Arthritis sufferer Diane Swann, who has trialled the drug for the past six months, said it had made an enormous difference to her life.
She told BBC Look North: “It was like a miracle. I found I could do a lot more.
“I had more energy and was going for walks with my partner down river, which is something I have not done for years.
“It just really improved my life over these last six months.”
