Mile end doctor scoops major grant for arthritis research
A leading specialist from the Royal London Hospital in Mile End has been awarded a grant of more than £96,000 by a leading medical research charity for his work to combat rheumatoid arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a potentially crippling, incurable condition which causes pain and inflammation to the joints, and affects around 600,000 people in the UK.
Dr Ian Chikanza. consultant rheumatologist and honorary senior lecturer has been awarded the two-year grant from the Arthritis Research Campaign to investigate why some patients with RA fail to respond to steroids - potent anti-inflammatory drugs.
He and his team will study the mechanisms which make patients resistant to the effects of corticosteroids, and by understanding the underlying factors, go on to develop appropriate forms of treatment for this group of patients. Up to 30 per cent of RA patients do not respond adequately to steroids.
The Arthritis Research Campaign is the fifth biggest medical research charity in the UK, and spent £21m on research in institutions around the country over the past 12 months. It relies entirely on public donations to fund its programme of work.
