Mavrilimumab – rheumatoid arthritis drug – shows promise in trial

A rheumatoid arthritis drug has shown promise in phase II trials, says research published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

Volunteers who were all taking methotrexate were given mavrilimumab (10mg, 30mg, 50mg or 100mg) or a placebo every other week for 12 weeks.

Analysis of the data found that 55.7% of those given mavrilimumab responded well and disease activity scores dropped by at least 1.2 after 12 weeks. About 35% of people given the placebo achieved the same level of response.

Benefits began after taking the drug for two weeks and increased over the 12 week period.

Side effects were reported to be mild or moderate so the next step is a phase 111 trial.

“If these results can be sustained and replicated in a phase-III trial, it could offer another treatment option for patients,” says a spokesperson from Arthritis Research UK.