Golimumab effective as a rheumatoid arthritis therapy – new trial results

An anti-TNF therapy called golimumab has been found to be effective in the treatment of people with active rheumatoid arthritis that has persisted despite prior treatment with methotrexate, experts report in the Journal of Rheumatology.
A total of 444 people were randomly split into groups and tracked for five years. Some received methotrexate or 100mg golimumab plus a pretend drug. Others received methotrexate and 50mg or 100mg golimumab.

A total of 313 people received golimumab through to week 252. Of these, 301 people completed the safety follow-up up to week 268.

Results

Positive responses were seen in most people. In total, 39.6% of the cohort experienced one or more serious adverse event, in line with expectations established by previous research. Infections were the most common form of adverse event.

“Improvements in the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis were maintained through five years,” the research group says. “Adverse events through five years were consistent with earlier reports of the GO-FORWARD trial; no apparent increased risk was observed over time.”