New drug for early rheumatoid arthritis approved in Europe but not yet in the UK

A new therapy option for the treatment of early rheumatoid arthritis is set to become available in Europe, following approval of tocilizumab (RoActemra).
The drug is for people with severe, active and progressive rheumatoid arthritis who previously have not been treated with methotrexate. It is the first interleukin-6 receptor antagonist to be approved in Europe for use in those with early rheumatoid arthritis.
A phase III study involved splitting participants into groups. Some received just methotrexate and others were given tocilizumab (either on its own or in combination with methotrexate). After 24 weeks, there was significantly greater improvement in disease activity in the latter two groups.
And treatment with tocilizumab (with and without methotrexate) was also shown to deliver greater inhibition of structural joint damage compared with methotrexate.
Infusions of tocilizumab are given once every four weeks. People who respond well to treatment generally start feeling better within two weeks to three months.
Experts hope that treating rheumatoid arthritis at an earlier stage may help prevent irreversible damage to joints and long-term disability.
A spokesman for Arthritis Research UK comments:
“This is the first time that a biological therapy such as tocilizumab has been approved for use in rheumatoid arthritis before one of the older therapies such as methotrexate. Whether it will be approved by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to be used in this way remains to be seen, as the costs could be prohibitive.”

Image credit: H Powers