BioCentury

Combining Arava with HIF1A inhibition to treat RA

November 19, 2019 8:18 PM UTC

INDICATION: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Inhibiting HIF1A could enhance the efficacy of Arava leflunomide for RA-associated bone erosion in patients with high C-reactive protein levels. In a rat model of RA, Arava reduced bone erosion in animals with low but not high serum levels of CRP, and high CRP levels were associated with high HIF1A expression. Arava plus the HIF1A inhibitor acriflavine, a generic antiseptic, attenuated bone erosion in rats with CRP-high RA. In mice with CRP-high RA, Arava combined with hepatocyte-specific HIF1A knockout led to similar effects...