Arthritis News – 1999

In a recent press release, Immunex and Wyeth-Ayerst announced plans to seek approval from the FDA to expand labeling of Enbrel to slow structural joint damage in patients and to improve the signs and symptoms of patients with early, active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In a Phase III trial, 633 patients having early, active disease were evaluated for structural damage to joints over 1 year using the Modified Sharp Scoring Method, as well as percent improvement in signs and symptoms. Patients received placebo, 25mg or 10mg of Enbrel, or 20mg of methotrexate. Results from this study showed that Enbrel slowed the progression of the disease and reduced the signs and symptoms of RA. These data are not yet published.