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ARTICLE | Clinical News

Panel backs anti-NGF development for OA

March 13, 2012 12:18 AM UTC

FDA's Arthritis Drugs Advisory Committee voted 21-0 that anti- nerve growth factor (NGF) agents should continue to be developed to treat osteoarthritis pain.

Because the joint destruction was increased in patients taking anti-NGFs with NSAIDs, the panel felt studies in OA could continue if concomitant NSAID use is excluded and additional safeguards are put in place. These could include measuring biomarkers of joint destruction and increasing use of MRI. The panel did not feel anti-NGFs should be restricted to refractory OA patients despite an increase in joint destruction seen in clinical trials. ...