title: More about masitinib.
abstract: A dose-escalating phase II trial studied masitinib, an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in 43 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Masitinib induced American College of Rheumatology (ACR)20, ACR50 and ACR70 responses in 54%, 26% and 8% of patients, respectively. A placebo group was not included. Thirty-seven per cent of the patients withdrew before the 12-week end-point was reached, primarily because of adverse events. These findings are the first on the efficacy of tyrosine kinase inhibition in a sizeable population. Future work should focus on delineating the tyrosine kinase that is most important in maintaining rheumatoid activity and address potential long-term toxicities such as gonadal insufficiency, teratogenicity and cardiotoxicity.
authors: Ulrich A
authors: UA
authors: Walker
mesh_terms: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001549:Benzamides; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D006801:Humans; D010880:Piperidines; D011725:Pyridines; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D010880:Piperidines; D011725:Pyridines; D013844:Thiazoles; C526575:masitinib