Cetrorelix at the EULAR 2012

Cetrorelix is a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist (GnRH antagonist). At the EULAR 2012 meeting in Berlin there has been one study.
A. Kåss an colleagues aimed in this proof-of-concept study at whether cetrorelix can reduce TNF-α in RA patients, improve signs and symtoms, and to investigate safety. The study ran for 5 days on cetrorelix with examinations also at day 10 and 15. Reduction of TNF-alpha has been significant as compared to placebo. DAS-28 didn't reach statistical significance. ACR20 did, however.


[OP0202] CETRORELIX, A GONADOTROPIN-RELEASING HORMONE ANTAGONIST, SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES TNF-ALPHA AND DEMONSTRATES EFFICACY IN PATIENTS WITH ACTIVE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: A PROOF-OF-CONCEPT, DOUBLE-BLIND RANDOMISED TRIAL
A. Kåss1,2, H.C. Gulseth1, I. Hollan2,3, M. Fagerland4, P. Torjesen5, Ø. Førre6. 1Dept. of Rheumatology, Betanien Hospital, Skien; 2University of Oslo, Oslo; 3Dept. of Rheumatology, Lillehammer Hospital, Lillehammer; 4Dept. of Biostatistics and Epidemiology; 5Hormone Laboratory; 6Dept. of Rheumatology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
Conclusions: This study demonstrates antagonising GnRH with cetrorelix lowers TNF-α, and improves signs and symptoms of RA. This study suggests that clinically relevant interactions between GnRH and the immune system exist; which may improve insights into the pathogenesis of RA. Larger, long-term studies on the efficacy and safety of GnRH antagonists in RA patients are warranted.


Two important things! One, the study medication has only been given for five days. Shall we see better effects or more adverse events if it's given daily for a longer time. Two, cetrorelix significantly suppresses testosterone levels … Per aspera ad astra!