BRIGHTON, England -- Infliximab (Remicade) remains an option for patients with longstanding rheumatoid arthritis who have not responded adequately to another tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor, researchers said here.
After six months, 35.5% of patients receiving infliximab after previously being treated unsuccessfully with etanercept (Enbrel) or adalimumab (Humira) had a 20% improvement based on the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR20), according to Roy Fleischmann, MD, of the University of Texas in Dallas, and colleagues.
In addition, ACR50 and ACR70 responses were seen at that time point in 18.3% and 7.1% of patients, respectively, Fleischmann and colleagues reported in a poster session at the annual meeting of the British Society for Rheumatology.
"The question of whether or not patients who fail or respond inadequately to previously administered TNF inhibitors can still respond to infliximab has important therapeutic implications," they stated.
Previous experience with switching among TNF inhibitors has primarily explored the effects of switching from infliximab, which was one of the earlier biologic drugs to be available for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, to a newer drug.
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