A DOUBLE-BLIND, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY OF A PLATELET-ACTIVATING-FACTOR ANTAGONIST IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

Objective. To evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of a platelet activa ting factor-acether (PAF) antagonist, BN 50730, in patients with rheum atoid arthritis (RA). Methods, A total of 56 patients with active RA w ere enrolled in a multicenter, double blind, placebo controlled study of BN 50730, Patients received either BN 50730 (40 mg orally bid) or p lacebo for 84 days. Results, Treatment with BN 50730 resulted in no im provement and was no more effective than placebo in improving clinical and biological indices of RA activity. Adverse events were observed i n the 2 treatment groups, and BN 50730 was generally well tolerated. C onclusion. PAF antagonist BN 50730 at a daily dose of 80 mg was ineffe ctive in the treatment of RA.