Improvements in clinical response between 12 and 24 weeks in patients with rheumatoid arthritis on etanercept therapy with or without methotrexate.
BACKGROUND
Whereas many patients respond quickly to treatment with tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, some patients may experience significant but delayed responses.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical response between 12 and 24 weeks in subjects with rheumatoid arthritis from the Trial of Etanercept and Methotrexate with Radiographic Patient Outcomes.


METHODS
Clinical response was assessed at 24 weeks in 12-week non-responders, according to American College of Rheumatology (ACR) response criteria. The proportion of subjects who successfully maintained response to 52 weeks was analysed, as were radiographic outcomes.


RESULTS
Data from 682 subjects were included in the analysis. Non and partial responders in all three groups (etanercept, methotrexate and etanercept plus methotrexate) at week 12 showed an improvement in responses at week 24. Over 80% of the week 24 ACR20/50/70 responders in the etanercept plus methotrexate arm sustained their response to 52 weeks. In the etanercept arms, a delayed clinical response was not associated with increased radiographic progression at week 52.


CONCLUSIONS
A significant proportion of non and partial responders to etanercept with or without methotrexate therapy at week 12 achieved a good clinical response or improved their overall clinical response at week 24. Discontinuing TNF inhibitor therapy at 12 weeks may be premature in some rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Kavanaugh
A
A
Center for Innovative Therapy, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, UCSD, San Diego, California, USA. akavanaugh@ucsd.edu
Klareskog
L
L
van der Heijde
D
D
Li
J
J
Freundlich
B
B
Hooper
M
M
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D000068800:Etanercept; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000068800:Etanercept; D008727:Methotrexate