Tocilizumab could prevent joint damage and improve physical function in rheumatoid arthritis

摘要

Promising results form the LITHE study were reported at the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) conference 2009. The study focused on the inhibition of progression of structural joint damage and improved physical function and clinical disease when tocilizumab plus methotrexate was administered. The multinational double-blind, randomized controlled 3-group trial enrolled over 1200 patients at 137 sites in 15 countries. All patients had moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis and had not previously had an adequate response to methotrexate monotherapy. Patients were randomized to receive stable doses of methotrexate plus 4 mg/kg tocilizumab, 8 mg/kg tocilizumab or placebo every 4 weeks. Blinded rescue therapy was allowed beginning at week 16.