Strong data for Roche's Actemra in RA

Swiss drug major Roche presented data from the LITHE trial showing its Actemra (tocilizumab) significantly inhibits structural damage to joints, improves physical function and significantly increases disease remission rates in patients with rheumatoid arthritis at the American College of Rheumatology meeting in San Francisco

The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled LITHE study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of Actemra plus methotrexate in 1,196 patients with moderate-to-severe RA who had an inadequate response to methotrexate alone. Subjects received either Actemra (4mg/kg or 8mg/kg, every four weeks) in combination with methotrexate or methotrexate alone. At 52 weeks, total Genant-modified Sharp Score changes from baseline for the 8mg, 4mg and methotrexate groups were: 0.29, 0.34 and 1.1, respectively. The percentage of patients achieving no progression in total GS Score were 85%, 81% and 67%. Clinical remission rates were 47%, 30% and 8%.

Actemra is a humanized interleukin-6 receptor-inhibiting monoclonal antibody that works by suppressing the activity of IL-6, an important trigger of the inflammatory process. This novel mode of action reduces inflammation of the joints and relieves the systemic effects of RA.