Breakthrough in treatment for Dupuytren's disease (Commonly available adalimumab produced long-lasting results over nine months after last dose)

Medical Xpress / University of Oxford / The Lancet Rheumatology ^ | Apr. 30, 2022 | Jagdeep Nanchahal et al

[ConservativeMind]

Researchers, led by Professor Jagdeep Nanchahal have demonstrated the efficacy of the anti-TNF drug adalimumab for patients with early stage Dupuytren's disease.

Dupuytren's disease is a common condition of the hand that affects about 5% of the UK population and tends to run in families. It causes the fingers to curl irreversibly into the palm and can be extremely disabling. There is currently no treatment for early disease and typically people have to wait until the condition deteriorates when surgery can be performed.

"This phase 2b trial represents the clinical translation of our laboratory findings, where we identified TNF as a potential therapeutic target followed by a phase 2a dose ranging trial which showed that the highly concentrated formulation injected directly into the diseased tissues was effective in downregulating myofibroblasts, the cells responsible for fibrosis," said Jagdeep Nanchahal, Oxford Professor of Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. "We also found the treatment to be completely safe and there were no related serious adverse events."

Injection of the anti-TNF drug adalimumab into Dupuytren's disease nodules is effective in reducing nodule hardness and nodule size providing hope to patients.

Published in The Lancet Rheumatology, the study found that the patients receiving adalimumab experienced softening and reduction in size of the treated nodule. Although adalimumab only has a half-life of about two or three weeks the researchers saw continued effects nine months after the last injection, indicating a sustained treatment effect.

"This could be a game-changer for patients who suffer from this disabling condition," said Professor Chris Buckley, Director of Clinical Research at the Kennedy Institute. "Dupuytren's disease is easy to spot at an early stage, so by starting a course of anti-TNF injections could bring long lasting respite and prevent the disease advancing to the stage that surgery is needed."

[ConservativeMind]

Five percent of the population has this issue. Going nine or more months without any therapy or prescription sound like a wonderful option. The drug is commonly available, but expensive without insurance help.

[ConservativeMind]

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[ClearCase_guy]

Commonly available adalimumab

Maybe where you are, but my local supermarket is always sold out of rigatoni pasta or adalimumab. They never have both at the same time.

[Paladin2]

Just how expensive?

[Chickensoup]

Please remove me from the list. Thank you

[texanyankee]

Just last week I had a second fasciotomy done to my left-hand. The first one was done 3 years ago.

My orthopedist told me from the start it was a 50-50 chance it wouldnt take since it’s hereditary. I recall my Dad having it as well.

Since I’m left-handed it’s debilitating for me. My pinky & ring finger are affected. It’s next to impossible for me to open jars.

I go in for a follow-up this Tuesday & I will definitely let her know about this update and get her take on it.

[beef]

I had surgery for this a couple of years ago. It was no big deal. Just local anesthetic. Why take hyper expensive drugs with side effects like heart failure?

[texanyankee]

So you didnt have it recur?

In my case, the condition returned just as bad after 3 years.

[ConservativeMind]

Goodrx showed it a bit above $5,000.

[SC DOC]

Another Alternative

[Paladin2]

Thanks.

[crz]

All my brothers and my sister have/had this.

My dad had it real bad on his two fingers on one hand. The pinkie and the one next to it.

I am the only one in the family that does not have it.

It is a hereditary thing. Norse or northern European peoples.

My family originates in Anglo Saxon England and Normandy...that is as far back as I can trace them.
The Bavarian side does not seem to show the problem.

[TChad]

Dupuytren’s tx ping.

[beef]

No problems yet. But maybe mine was not as bad as yours. The ring finger on my left hand started “catching”, and I would have to apply extra force to extend it. I had it done at the same time as carpal tunnel on the same hand. The worst thing about it was they charged me twice for the surgical facility. Two operations, you know. Friggen SOBs.