Immunex drug appears to slow arthritis, study says

Herald staff

SEATTLE — A drug made by Seattle-based Immunex that is used to relieve the symptoms of advanced rheumatoid arthritis also appears to slow or stop the progression of the disease when given in its early stages, a study published in Thursday’s New England Journal of Medicine concludes.

The latest work shows that the drug, Enbrel, works better than the standard treatment, methotrexate, in these patients and carries fewer side effects. Enbrel works by blocking a natural substance called tumor necrosis factor, which triggers much of the joint inflammation in the disease.

  • Wednesday’s prices: Gold sold for $269.10 a troy ounce, silver for $4.66 and platinum for $600.60.

  • Growth rate slows: The U.S. economy slowed dramatically during the summer to a growth rate of just 2.4 percent, the weakest pace in four years, as the Federal Reserve’s inflation-fighting campaign began to pinch. The Commerce Department released revised figures showing that the gross domestic product — the total output of goods and services — grew at a slower pace during the July-September quarter than previously believed.

  • Net deal off: Verizon Communications called off its planned merger with high-speed Internet access provider NorthPoint Communications Group Inc. on Wednesday, citing a deterioration in NorthPoint’s business performance and finances. The deal would have given Verizon a greater reach for offering its fast digital subscriber line, or DSL, Internet service.

  • Nasdaq system goes out: The Nasdaq Stock Market said Wednesday its automated quote system had a failure at around 12:40 p.m. PST that prevented market makers from updating and viewing stock prices. The cause of the outage was not immediately known and was being investigated, Nasdaq said in a news release.

    Talk to us

  • More in Local News

    Marysville firefighters respond to a 12-year-old boy who fell down a well Tuesday May 30, 2023 in Marysville, Washington. (Photo provided by Marysville Fire District)
    Marysville firefighters save boy who fell 20 feet into well

    The 12-year-old child held himself up by grabbing on to a plastic pipe while firefighters worked to save him.

    Highway 9 is set to be closed in both directions for a week as construction crews build a roundabout at the intersection with Vernon Road. (Washington State Department of Transportation)
    Weeklong closure coming to Highway 9 section in Lake Stevens

    Travelers should expect delays or find another way from Friday to Thursday between Highway 204 and Lundeen Parkway.

    Students arriving off the bus get in line to score some waffles during a free pancake and waffle breakfast at Lowell Elementary School on Friday, May 26, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
    800 free pancakes at Everett’s Lowell Elementary feed the masses

    The annual breakfast was started to connect the community and the school, as well as to get people to interact.

    Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring speaks at the groundbreaking event for the I-5/SR 529 Interchange project on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    $123M project starting on Highway 529 interchange, I-5 HOV lane

    A reader wondered why the highway had a lane closure despite not seeing work done. Crews were waiting on the weather.

    Justin Bell was convicted earlier this month of first-degree assault for a December 2017 shooting outside a Value Village in Everett. (Caleb Hutton / Herald file)
    Court: Snohomish County jurors’ opaque masks didn’t taint verdict

    During the pandemic, Justin Bell, 32, went on trial for a shooting. Bell claims his right to an impartial jury was violated.

    Gary Fontes uprights a tree that fell over in front of The Fontes Manor — a miniature handmade bed and breakfast — on Friday, May 12, 2023, at his home near Silver Lake in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
    Everett’s mini-Frank Lloyd Wright builds neighborhood of extra tiny homes

    A tiny lighthouse, a spooky mansion and more: Gary Fontes’ miniature world of architectural wonders is one-twelfth the size of real life.

    Will Steffener
    Inslee appoints Steffener as Superior Court judge

    Attorney Will Steffener will replace Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Janice Ellis, who is retiring in June.

    Mountlake Terrace Library, part of the Sno-Isle Libraries, in Mountlake Terrace, Washington on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
    Sno-Isle workers cite safety, unfilled positions in union push

    Workers also pointed to inconsistent policies and a lack of a say in decision-making. Leadership says they’ve been listening.

    A view over the Port of Everett Marina looking toward the southern Whidbey Island fault zone in March 2021. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Snohomish County agencies to simulate major disaster

    The scenario will practice the response to an earthquake or tsunami. Dozens of agencies will work with pilots.

    Most Read