Micromet study shows that neutralizing CM-CSF decreases joint swelling in arthritic mice

By Lisa Kerner

Charlotte, N.C., June 27 - Micromet, Inc. said results of a scientific study of arthritic mice demonstrate that treatment with the GM-CSF neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAB), compared to treatment with the TNF-alpha blocker etanercept, decreased knee joint swelling and protected knee cartilage from destruction.

"The results are in full support of our hypothesis that neutralizing GM-CSF is a promising approach for the potential treatment of patients with arthritis," chief scientific officer Patrick Baeuerle said in a company news release.

A pro-inflammatory cytokine, GM-CSF affects immune cells that play a role in inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, allergic asthma and psoriasis.

Micromet presented its study results at the European Congress of Rheumatology in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Located in Carlsbad, Calif., Micromet is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of antibody-based drugs.

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