Physicians can suggest a combination of methotrexate and
rhTNFR:Fc to prevent joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.
A recent controlled, randomized and open-label study in Scientific reports concluded that in active RA patients, methotrexate (MTX) when utilized along with etanercept biosimilar rhTNFR:Fc (recombinant human tumour necrosis factor-α receptor II:lgG Fc fusion protein injection) could effectively prevent impairment to the joint structure.
The study researchers explored the efficacy and safety of the combination of MTX therapy with maintenance or withdrawal of rhTNFR:Fc in active RA patients. A total of 89 patients with active RA were registered. In 52 weeks, patients were divided in groups as: MTX plus rhTNFR:Fc for a period of 52 weeks (32 patients), MTX plus rhTNFR:Fc for a period of 24 weeks (31 patients), or just MTX alone (26 patients).
The damage to the joint as assessed via van de Heijde
modified Total Sharp Score (mTSS) was considered as the primary outcome. In the
MTX plus rhTNFR:Fc24 group, 1 participant was lost to the follow-up. The mTSS
CFB was lower in the rhTNFR:Fc pooled group than with MTX monotherapy at week
24 and 52 (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Primary outcome (mTSS CFB) at week 24 and 52 in the three groups.
Furthermore, elevated ACR50 and ACR70 response rates were observed in
patients in the rhTNFR:Fc pooled group as compared to MTX used as a
monotherapy.
The study
findings revealed that in patients with active RA, joint damage inhibition is
an attainable goal by combination of MTX and rhTNFR:Fc. Furthermore, the MTX
and rhTNFR:Fc combination therapy demonstrated good tolerability.
However, in
the future, large-scale prospective cohort study could be performed to explore
the impact of maintenance or discontinuation of rhTNFR:Fc during RA treatment
on the radiographic progression.
Scientific reports
Efficacy of methotrexate and etanercept biosimilar rhTNFR:Fc in Chinese patients with active rheumatoid arthritis: A controlled, randomized and multicenter study
Qingjun Wu et al.
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