Does anybody know when Rheumavax trials in Brisbane are due to startI don't have any information, but the person who's email is at the end of this blurb does!
Based
on the principles of production of dendritic cells which can induce
tolerance by blocking NFkB, we have developed an autologous modified
dendritic cell vaccine for testing in a phase I clinical trial in
patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), known as Rheumavax.
The
vaccine consists of dendritic cells, grown in the laboratory from the
blood of the patient to be immunized, and an antigen relevant to the
disease. We have been working over the last year on the antigen to be
used in Rheumavax. Approximately 70% of patients with RA test positive
to autoantibodies known as anti-CCP. These antibodies react against a
component of proteins known as citrulline. RA patients who test
positive to anti-CCP show evidence that their T lymphocytes respond
abnormally to citrulline. We have formulated the vaccine to subdue T
cells with citrulline reactivity in RA. Success in this trial would
provide impetus to adapt the technology to other autoimmune diseases.
If you are interested in further information on the RA vaccine trial, please email Emily Duggan at e.duggan@uq.edu.au.
So my faith in insurance companies covering something that makes sense is very little.
What happens in America if you don't have insurance. Can you still ge the drugs you need.Coral...Only if your an illegal alien 6t5frlane...lol. Ok Coral, this is a yes and no question. Since we do not have national health care we have to have private insurance either thru your employer which helps pay for it or you can buy your own health care coverage. For people that do not have that option, there is a program in each state called medicaid. It is run by whatever state you are in. Some states it can be extremely difficult to get medicaid. That is usually the case if you live in a state that borders with Mexico. I live in the upper midwest (WI) and it is very easy to get medicaid here. I have a friend in AZ (borders Mexico) and it has been virtually impossible to get medicaid. There are certain income requirements and other requirements to get on medicaid. Then once you are on medicaid you have to find a doc that accepts it. It is funny in our country that if you are indigent you will be covered for Medicaid, if you are employed by a company that offers it or have money you will be covered. But it is the people in the middle who have the problem. Medicaid is part state funded and part federally funded. It is difficult to find a provider, because the reimbursement is low and the paperwork and frustration levels of those who try to bill for it are high!Go figure. It has to be a little longer than a couple of years tho. We have been back home in the midwest for 2.5 years now and AZ had it the entire 5 years we lived there.
AZ is also a right to starve...I mean right to work state. I think they a couple of unions out there and that is it.
Off the subject, but could some of you give feedback as to how well you've done on anti tnfs.