
Inflammation and Coronary Artery Disease: Role of AT1-Receptor Antagonism
HypertensionCoronary ArteriosclerosisEffects of AT1 receptor antagonist telmisartan on the primary endpoint inflammatory parameters in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Secondary endpoints are alterations in clinical course and blood pressure

A Study to Compare Ocular Safety and Tolerability of Eye Drops Containing Prednisolone Acetate in...
Cataract SurgeryThe primary objective was to demonstrate that two days of treatment with 0.5% prednisolone acetate eye-drops after cataract surgery are superior to vehicle in reducing the flare in the anterior chamber of the operated eye.

Interleukin-1 Trap to Treat Autoinflammatory Diseases
InflammationFamilial Mediterranean Fever2 moreAutoinflammatory diseases are illnesses characterized by episodes of inflammation that, unlike autoimmune disorders, lack the production of high titer autoantibodies or antigen-specific T cells. There is growing genetic and clinical evidence that Interleukin-1 (IL-1) plays a pathogenic role in several of these diseases. This exploratory study aims to examine the utility of the experimental drug candidate, IL 1 Trap (Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) in the treatment of adult subjects with the autoinflammatory disorders Neonatal Onset Multisystem Inflammatory Disease (NOMID), Muckle-Wells Syndrome (MWS), and Familial Cold Autoinflammatory Syndrome (FCAS), Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF), and adult Still's disease. FMF is associated with mutations in pyrin encoding MEFV. NOMID, MWS and FCAS are associated with mutations in cryopyrin-encoding CIAS1. This pilot study is designed to address: 1) the utility of IL 1 Trap in the treatment of subjects with diseases known to respond to IL-1 blockade (NOMID/MWS/FCAS) as shown by response to treatment with anakinra [Kineret]; 2) the response to IL-1 blockade of subjects with Adult Still's disease and colchicine-resistant FMF once the efficacy of IL-1 Trap has been established in NOMID/MWS/FCAS subjects; and 3) the biochemistry and genetics of autoinflammatory diseases and IL-1 related inflammation. IL-1 Trap is a recombinant fusion protein with picomolar affinity for IL-1 and a half-life of approximately 7.5 days in humans. This agent is currently in Phase 2 clinical studies for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and initial studies have shown activity against clinical and biochemical indicators of inflammation. Compared with anakinra, this agent may exhibit improved dosing convenience, potential for fewer injection site reactions, and improved efficacy due to the extremely high affinity of IL-1Trap for its target. In this study, biochemical, genetic, and clinical correlates of autoinflammatory disease will initially be measured at baseline following a withdrawal of any TNF or IL-1 inhibitor medications where applicable. Subjects will receive a course of therapy with IL-1 Trap that is predicted to provide an estimated 3-4 weeks of anti-inflammatory activity. Clinical, biochemical, and genetic correlates of inflammation will be measured at appropriate intervals to ascertain response and to further elucidate disease mechanisms. Subjects will be eligible, based on clinical response, to enter a 1- year extension phase with IL-1 Trap. Those subjects who complete the 1-year extension phase, and maintain improved clinical and laboratory parameters compared to baseline values, may continue to receive study medication at their current dose until the study drug is commercially available. Investigator comment: This protocol (from the NIH standpoint) is a continuation of the ongoing protocol 05-AR-0014, with a new change in study sponsor, the NIH replacing Regeneron as sponsor. this protocol therefore still contains background and procedural information that refer to patients with FMF and FCAS and or MWS and Still's disease, however only patients with Still's disease will be newly enrolled from this point on, enrollment for the FCAS and or MWS patients has already been completed and it has been decided to not enroll any more FMF patients because the number of subjects is too low to reach reasonable conclusions, in addition it has been difficult to recruit patients that are eligible. The background section and study procedures have largely been left as in the currently IRB approved protocol.

Detection of Plaque Inflammation by Positron Emission Tomography (PET)-Effects of Simvastatin on...
AtherosclerosisThe purpose of this study is to determine whether FDG-PET is capable of detecting atherosclerotic plaque inflammation and monitoring the effects of statins on plaque inflammation. The usefulness of FDG-PET in risk stratification is also investigated.

Study of Etanercept in the Treatment of Psoriasis in Adult Subjects
InflammationPsoriasisThe objective of the study is to describe the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of the long-term administration of etanercept in adults with psoriasis who have completed etanercept psoriasis study 20030115 or 20030117, in Canada, and are continuing in a long-term extension. Subjects from the 20030115 study will be followed for 24 months which began in Oct. 2004. Subjects in the 20030117 study will be followed for 12 months which began in mid 2005.

Cyclosporin Implant to Treat Uveitis
Eye DiseaseInflammation1 moreThis study will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a sustained-release cyclosporin implant to treat uveitis, a sight-threatening eye inflammation caused by an immune system abnormality. Previous studies in humans have shown that, taken by mouth, the drug cyclosporin is effective in treating chronic uveitis. Uveitis may require long-term treatment with potent immune-suppressing drugs, such as cyclosporin, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, azathioprine or steroids. Taken systemically (by mouth or injection), however, these drugs can do serious damage to the kidneys, liver or lungs, and can raise blood pressure and lower blood cell counts. Because of this, some patients cannot or will not use these medicines. This small pilot study will evaluate the safety, and to some extent effectiveness, of cyclosporin delivered directly into the eye, to try to prevent harmful side effects. In animal studies, sustained-release cyclosporin implants did not cause the severe side effects seen with systemic use of the drug. Some animals developed opacity of the lens and slowed retinal responses, both of which reversed when the drug was stopped. Earlier animal studies of cyclosporin injected directly into the eye reduced inflammation that had been produced experimentally. Patients with uveitis who have active inflammation and poor vision are eligible to participate in this study. Patients will be randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. One group will receive a 1-mg implant that releases 0.8 micrograms of drug each day; the second group will receive a 2-mg implant that delivers 1.4 micrograms of drug a day. Before surgery, patients will have a medical history, basic physical examination, and complete eye examination, including special tests called electroretinogram and fluorescein angiography. An electroretinogram measures the electrical responses generated in the retina in the back of the eye. Fluorescein angiography uses a special camera to photograph the retina, showing the condition of the blood vessels in the eye. The surgical procedure to place the implant takes about 1.5 hours and may be done under either local or general anesthesia. Patients will stay in the hospital overnight. After discharge from the hospital, they will return for follow-up visits 1 and 2 weeks after surgery, then once a month for 6 months, and then every 3 months until the implant is depleted of drug or removed. During these follow-up visits, eye examinations will be repeated to evaluate the effects of the implant on the eye. Repeat blood tests will measure the amount of cyclosporin in the blood and the drug's effect on the kidneys. When the implant runs out of drug (between 2 and 3 years), it may be removed or left in place.

The Effect of Intra Oral Cryotherapy in Patients With Symptomatic Apical Periodontitis
Post Operative PainInflammationThe participants were divided into two groups: Group I (cryotherapy) (n =10) after the completion of the mechanical preparation intra oral cryotherapy was applied. Group II (control) (n =10) received standard root canal treatment without the application of any type of cryotherapy.

Nitrosomonas Eutropha on Nitrolipids in the Skin
InflammationWe are looking to see how the addition of nitrosomonas alters the presence of nitrolipids and inflammatory cytokines on the skin.

Outcome of Different IOLs in Patients With and Without Uveitis
UveitisCataract2 moreCataract, is a clouding of the lens in the eye gradually leading to reduction of the visual acuity. In most cases it can be managed with surgery, removing the own lens and replacing it with an artificial lens, intraocular lens (IOL). These lenses are made in different materials with different properties. Uveitis refers to an inflammation in the iris, ciliary body and choroid. Patients with this disease have an increased risk of developing cataract due to the inflammation itself and treatment with steroids. They also have an increased risk of complications during surgery and postoperatively. In this group the selection of IOL might be of greater importance. The aim of this prospective randomized controlled study is to compare the outcome of hydrophobic and hydrophilic intraocular lenses in patients with and without uveitis

Abatacept Reversing Subclinical Inflammation as Measured by MRI in ACPA Positive Arthralgia
ArthralgiaArthritisThis is a randomised double-blinded placebo-controlled multi centre study in 98 patients with ACPA positive arthralgia. The study is composed of 2 arms with a 1:1 randomisation at baseline: Treatment phase will be 6 months. Group 1: Abatacept s.c. 125 mg weekly for 6 months vs. Group 2: Placebo s.c. for 6 months. After 6 months both groups will run into the follow up period for another 12 months up to month 18. Patients developing arthritis will be treated according to local guidelines.