New rheumatoid arthritis drug shows promise

A new therapy for people with rheumatoid arthritis has demonstrated potential in a phase III clinical trial.

Sarilumab was assessed in a trial of 1,200 adults with active rheumatoid arthritis who had not responded to methotrexate therapy. Volunteers were split into three groups. Two groups received different dosages of sarilumab, and a third was given a placebo treatment with methotrexate.

The study has yet to be published, but the scientists found that when sarilumab was injected with methotrexate it improved disease signs, symptoms and physical function, and inhibited progression of joint damage.

Side effects included infections, which occurred more often in the sarilumab than the control group, although this was to be expected.

The new drug is the first fully-human monoclonal antibody which blocks a protein called interleukin-6 (IL-6) and so can interrupt the inflammatory process that causes rheumatoid arthritis.

More trials are taking place and will help the drug gain regulatory approvals.

“Irreversible joint damage can be a consequence for patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, and this is accompanied by reduced physical function in these patients,” says Tanya M Momtahen, global project head from Sanofi, one of the pharmaceutical companies behind the drug. “This remains a major concern for rheumatoid arthritis patients.  We are encouraged by these Phase 3 results and the impact sarilumab demonstrated on inhibition of progression of structural damage assessed radiographically in this study.”

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