This 2 arm study will compare 2 treatment strategies based on tocilizumab and/or methotrexate in patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. Patients receiving methotrexate treatment will be randomized to receive either a)tocilizumab 8mg iv every 4 weeks + methotrexate po weekly or b)tocilizumab 8mg iv every 4 weeks + placebo po weekly. After the first 24 weeks of blinded treatment, treatment adjustments (increase or decrease of treatment intensity) may be introduced at intervals, based on response. The anticipated time on study treatment is 2 years, and the target sample size is 100-500 individuals.
Read more: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00810199?cond=%22Arthritis%22&lup_s=07/14/2011&lup_d=30
