New treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis

According to a new study,a common therapy for cancer may now provide relief for rheumatoid arthritis. Tumor growth in cancer patients is dependent on the growth of new blood vessels that cause cell proliferation. This ongoing angiogenesis supplies nutrients and oxygen to growing tumors and can be inhibited by a substance called endostatin. The angiogenesis observed in tumor growth is nearly identical to that of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), in which the proliferation of new blood vessels plays an important role in the disease.

Researchers in United States believe if endostatin can inhibit angiogenesis in cancer patients, it should be considered as a treatment therapy for RA as well. In a new study, researchers treated laboratory mice with endostatin for RA, and found the volume of new blood vessels, as well as inflammatory cells, was significantly decreased.