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Therapeutic gold. Is it due for a come-back?
1School of Medicine, Griffith University, Gold Coast Queensland, P.O. Box 68, Stones Corner, Qld., Australia. whitehousemd@spin.net.au
Inflammopharmacology
|June 4, 2008
Summary
Gold compounds show promise for rheumatoid arthritis treatment, potentially inducing remission and preventing disease. Further research is needed to understand their mechanisms and optimize their use against modern therapies.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Rheumatology
- Medical Chemistry
Background:
- Historically, gold compounds were utilized for their therapeutic properties in medicine.
- A prevailing view suggests gold compounds are obsolete due to modern alternatives.
- However, significant questions persist regarding their efficacy and potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-evaluate the therapeutic potential of gold compounds in treating rheumatoid arthritis.
- To investigate the underlying mechanisms of gold's clinical activity.
- To explore strategies for mitigating adverse effects and compare gold compounds with current biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
Main Methods:
- Review of historical medical applications of gold and gold complexes.
- Analysis of existing literature on gold's efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis and animal models.
- Discussion of potential modifications in formulation and use of bio-transformation products.
- Comparative assessment against biological DMARDs (anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha, anti-interleukin-1).
Main Results:
- Gold compounds have demonstrated efficacy in ameliorating rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and inducing remissions.
- Gold has shown potential in preventing arthritis development in animal studies.
- Challenges remain in understanding mechanisms and managing adverse effects of gold-thiolate complexes.
Conclusions:
- The therapeutic potential of gold compounds for rheumatoid arthritis warrants further investigation.
- Optimizing formulations and exploring bio-transformation products may reduce adverse effects.
- Gold compounds may offer a cost-effective alternative or adjunct to current biological DMARDs.
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