Arthritis Clinical Trials

Golimumab is a type of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-inhibitor. TNF is a naturally occurring substance in the body, and this substance may cause long-term inflammation. Golimumab may help fight disease by blocking the activity of TNF in the body and reducing inflammation and pain. Each patient who is allowed to join the study will be put into a group randomly, like flipping a coin. Patients may get either golimumab or placebo (which looks like the drug being studied but has no active ingredients, for example a sugar pill). The chance that the patient will get golimumab is 1 to 1, a 50% chance to receive golimumab and a 50% chance to receive placebo. If the patient does not have an improvement in their joints at the Week 16 visit compared to when they entered the study, and are in Group 1 (placebo group), the patient will receive golimumab 50 mg every 4 weeks starting at Week 16. If the patient is in Group 2 (golimumab 50 mg), the patient will continue to receive golimumab every 4 weeks starting at Week 16. If the patient is in Group 1 and is still receiving placebo injections, because there was improvement in their joints at Week 16, the patient will receive golimumab 50 mg every 4 weeks starting from Week 24. If the patient is in Group 2 (golimumab 50 mg) or is already receiving golimumab injections at week 24, the patient will continue to receive golimumab every 4 weeks. Safety will be monitored throughout the study, including drawing blood and looking at laboratory tests, vital signs (e.g., blood pressure), and the frequency and type of adverse events (side effects). The patient will be in the study approximately 56 weeks. Patients will receive placebo or active compound (golimumab 50 mg subcutaneous injections) every four weeks from randomization (Week 0) until Week 48.