the canakinumab, a monoclonal antibody with anti-inflammatory properties, reduces the risk of recurrence ofinfarction, according to results of a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. This treatment is a monoclonal antibody used forjuvenile idiopathic arthritis systemic andgouty arthritis. It has immunomodulatory but also anti-inflammatory properties.
Researchers conducted a study called CANTOS (canakinumab antiinflammatory thrombosis outcome study) with 10,000 patients over several years (3.5 on average) to understand the effects of canakinumab (Ilaris®) on cardiac disorders.
Patients affected by previous myocardial infarction and a high level of C reactive protein received either 150 mg or 300 mg of the drug, or a placebo (substance with no therapeutic activity), administered subcutaneously every 3 months. Patients, on average 61 years old, had several risk factors for heart troubles.
Low improvement and high cost
The results of the study showed that patients taking placebo had a 4.5% risk of having a second cardiovascular event, compared to 3.86% in those receiving the mid-dose of the drug, a difference of only 15%. the level of risk. After 3.5 years of follow-up, 535 of 3344 patients on placebo had a second cardiovascular event, compared to 642 of 4547 patients receiving mid or high doses of the drug.
Not to mention that a treatment with canakinumab costs about $ 200,000 (168,000 euros) per year in the United States.
“Although modest, these results are exciting because it shows us that inflammation and most likely immunity play an important role inatherosclerosis“concluded Dr. Paul Ridker, lead author of the study.
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-1739366311.jpg "Ellie Bloom: “Seeing the size of the hole in my heart, the cardiologist told me that I had a guardian angel”")
