Options for people with rheumatoid arthritis after anti-TNF drug: new trial

Biologics have once again performed well in a trial, this time against a second anti-TNF drug, experts report in The Journal of the American Medical Association. We know that about one-third of people with rheumatoid arthritis do not have a satisfactory response to tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) inhibitors. But currently there is little guidance on choosing the next treatment.

So a team compared a non-TNF-targeted biologic (non-TNF) with a second anti-TNF drug in 300 people with persistent disease activity and an insufficient response to anti-TNF therapy.

The participants were split into groups and followed for one year. Half received a non-TNF-targeted biologic agent and the others were given an anti-TNF that differed from their previous treatment.

Results

A total of 269 people completed the study.

• At week 24, 69% in the non-TNF-targeted biologic group and 52% in the second anti-TNF group achieved a good or moderate response in standard measures of disease activity.
• Disease activity was lower in the non-TNF-targeted biologic group than in the second anti-TNF group.

The researchers comment:

“Among patients with rheumatoid arthritis previously treated with anti-TNF drugs but with inadequate primary response, a non-TNF biologic agent was more effective in achieving a good or moderate disease activity response at 24 weeks than was the second anti-TNF medication.”

Click here to read the original research.

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