Etanercept therapy in rheumatoid arthritis: A randomized, controlled trial

Background: In a phase II study, etanercept (recombinant human tumor necrosis factor receptor [p75]:Fc fusion protein) safely produced rapid, dose-dependent improvement in rheumatoid arthritis over 3 months. Objective: To confirm the benefit of etanercept therapy of longer duration and simplified dosing in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with blinded joint assessors. Setting: 13 North American centers. Patients: 234 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis who had an inadequate response to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Intervention: Twice-weekly subcutaneous injections of etanercept, 10 or 25 mg, or placebo for 6 months. Measurements: The primary end points were 20% and 50% improvement in disease activity according to American College of Rheumatology (ACR) responses at 3 and 6 months. Other end points were 70% ACR responses at 3 and 6 months and other measures of disease activity at 3 and 6 months. Results: Etanercept significantly reduced disease activity in a dose- related fashion. At 3 months, 62% of the patients receiving 25 mg of etanercept and 23% of the placebo recipients achieved 20% ACR response (P < 0.001). At 6 months, 59% of the 25-mg group and 11% of the placebo group achieved a 20% ACR response (P < 0.001); 40% and 5%, respectively, achieved a 50% ACR response (P < 0.01). The respective mean percentage reduction in the number of tender and swollen joints at 6 months was 56% and 47% in the 25-mg group and 6% and -7% in the placebo group (P<0.05). Significantly more etanercept recipients achieved a 70% ACR response, minimal disease status (0 to 5 affected joints), and improved quality of life. Etanercept was well tolerated, with no dose-limiting toxic effects. Conclusions: Etanercept can safely provide rapid, significant, and sustained benefit in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis.