UCB today announced data that showed rapid and sustained improvements in symptoms of RA, as early as the first week, and inhibition of progression of structural joint damage (seen at week 24) following treatment with certolizumab pegol, together with methotrexate (MTX), was sustained for two years. The results from an open-label extension study*** to RAPID 1*, were presented at the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) meeting in Copenhagen.
New data from a post hoc** analysis, also presented at EULAR, showed the speed of developing a clinical response to treatment with 200 mg certolizumab pegol and MTX, is important in improving long-term outcomes for patients living with active RA. The analysis found most patients responded by Week 6. Patients who achieved control early at Week 6 had significantly better control of symptoms and quality of life at one year, compared to patients who achieved a later response at Week 12.
"These data confirm the rapid and sustained effect of Cimzia® in providing effective and clinically meaningful relief of rheumatoid arthritis, and reducing disease progression," said lead investigator Edward Keystone, M.D., The Rebecca MacDonald Center for Arthritis, Mount Sinai Hospital, The University of Toronto. "Recently published clinical data have shown Cimzia® to work rapidly, demonstrating an early response to treatment is associated with greater improvements in long-term outcomes, such as pain relief and physical function. This highlights the importance of using rapid-acting treatments to control inflammation in this debilitating condition."