New drug combo stops rheumatoid arthritis in its tracks

The trial of a new drug for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has revealed that an injection once a month could stop the disease progressing.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition in which the body attacks its own joints leading to severe disability and pain.

Now scientists have discovered that the antibody drug tocilizumab, in conjunction with an existing treatment, methotrexate, stopped RA in its tracks in half of the trial patients.

The researchers say the trial data suggests the two drugs taken together can achieve remission by stopping progression of the disease.

The new drug, which will be sold by Roche under the brand name RoActemra is currently waiting approval from drugs regulators in Europe and the U.S.

The research team say the trial findings are significant because it is critical to stop joint damage as quickly as possible in order to avoid joint deformity and to help people with RA maintain their quality of life.

Lead researcher Professor Paul Emery from Leeds University says the results of the study demonstrate that tocilizumab can effectively and rapidly diminish the painful and debilitating effects of RA.

While little can be done to reverse the damage caused by RA, the new results show in trials involving 1,190 patients, taking tocilizumab plus methotrexate halted the condition in 47% of patients, compared to only 8% when methotrexate was taken alone.

X-rays showed the combination treatment slowed structural damage to joints by 85% on average, compared with 67% for methotrexate alone.

There are other drugs available - called anti-TNF therapy - that can halt RA disease progression, however, the use of these drugs is often restricted.

Arthritis Research Campaign, whose scientists pioneered earlier anti-TNF therapy, say the trial data for tocilizumab is extremely encouraging and the new drug could be an effective option for the 30% of people who fail on anti-TNF therapy.

They say for people with rheumatoid arthritis this is great news after years of having very few drug options available to them that slow down disease progression.

They say there are several promising new therapies in the pipeline and new treatments which not only effectively treat the signs and symptoms of RA, but also prevent joint damage and help patients achieve remission are exciting and a move in the right direction.

The good news comes at a time when American research has revealed that after four decades of decline, rates of rheumatoid arthritis are now rising among women in the U.S.

The results, from the international LITHE trial, were presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology in San Francisco.