Drug could 'transform' childhood arthritis

As many as 2,500 children under the age of 16 suffer from systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), also known as Still's disease.

A study published today showed that the condition of children with the disorder improved by up to 90 per cent after 12 weeks of treatment with a drug that targets the immune system.

The antibody drug tocilizumab, marketed as RoActemra, is at present only licensed for adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. Makers Roche hope the drug will be licensed for UK children with systemic JIA within two years.

The disease causes joints to become swollen and painful and also leads to rashes, fever, fatigue and weight loss. In severe cases, organs such as heart, liver and spleen may be damaged.

Most children affected begin to show symptoms at about the age of two. The cause of systemic JIA – the worst form of JIA – is unclear but experts believe it to be an auto-immune condition, like adult rheumatoid arthritis.

This latest trial, conducted in 20 countries including the UK, involved 112 children with JIA who were either given infusions of tocilizumab or an inactive "dummy" placebo.

More than a third of the children treated with the drug showed a 90 per cent improvement after 12 weeks. About 85 per cent experienced a 30 per cent improvement in symptoms.

The researchers will continue to monitor the children for five years to assess the long-term effects of treatment.

Results from the trial were presented today at the European League Against Rheumatism annual meeting in Rome.

Professor Patricia Woo, from Great Ormond Street children's hospital in London said: "This is a major advance for these young people."