title: RAPID and FAST4WARD trials: certolizumab pegol for rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: In the last decade, biological therapies have dramatically changed the treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in such a way that remission is currently an achievable goal. The armamentarium of therapeutic options for RA has recently been enriched with another approved anti-TNF-alpha agent, certolizumab pegol (CZP). This article reviews the trials conducted with CZP in RA, the Rheumatoid Arthritis PreventIon of structural Damage (RAPID 1 and 2) and the EFficAcy and Safety of cerTolizumab pegol - 4 Weekly dosAge in RheumatoiD arthritis (FAST4WARD). These trials have demonstrated that this new biological agent significantly improves the clinical signs and symptoms of RA, inhibits progression of structural damage, and improves physical function and quality of life in patients with active RA who have failed treatment with methotrexate. The safety profile of CZP is acceptable and similar to that of other anti-TNF-alpha agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Maastricht University Medical Center, AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ramiro
authors.forename: Astrid M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: van Tubergen
authors.forename: Robert Bm
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Landewé
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000068582:Certolizumab Pegol; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D018450:Disease Progression; D004351:Drug Resistance; D006801:Humans; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012074:Remission Induction; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D000068582:Certolizumab Pegol; D008727:Methotrexate