In this transglobal, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, treat-to-target study, the maintenance of efficacy was compared between biologic-and biologic-free-disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) combination regimens after low disease activity (LDA) was achieved with biologic DMARD induction therapy. Patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis despite methotrexate therapy received open-label etanercept 50 mg subcutaneously once weekly plus methotrexate with or without other conventional synthetic (cs) DMARDs for 24 weeks. Patients achieving LDA [disease activity score in 28 joints based on erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) <3.2] at week 24 were randomized to receive etanercept-methotrexate combination therapy or placebo-methotrexate combination therapy, with or without other csDMARDs, for 28 weeks. In the open-label period, 72% of patients achieved DAS28-ESR LDA at week 24. Patients enrolled in the double-blind period had long-standing rheumatoid arthritis and high disease activity at baseline (mean duration, 8.1 years; DAS28-ESR, 6.4). In the etanercept and placebo combination groups, 44% versus 17% achieved DAS28-ESR LDA and 34 versus 13% achieved DAS28-ESR remission at week 52 (p < 0.001). Adverse events were reported in 37 and 43%, serious adverse events in 0 and 4%, and serious infections in 0 and 2% in these groups, respectively, in the double-blind period. After induction of response with etanercept combination therapy following a treat-to-target approach in patients with long-standing rheumatoid arthritis and high disease activity at baseline, the etanercept combination regimen was significantly more effective in maintaining LDA and remission than a biologic-free regimen. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier. NCT01578850.

5 A Nasonova Research Institute of Rheumatology Moscow Russia

Department of Rheumatology Centro Paulista de Investigação Clinica São Paulo Brazil

Division of Rheumatology Dokuz Eylul University School of Medicine Izmir Turkey

Division of Rheumatology University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia PA USA

Institute and Clinic of Rheumatology 1st Medical Faculty Charles University Prague Czech Republic

Pfizer Collegeville PA USA

Pfizer Global Innovative Pharma Business Brussels Belgium

Pfizer New York NY USA

Rheumatology Allergy and Clinical Immunology Division Mafraq Hospital Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates

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ClinicalTrials.gov
NCT01578850