Comprehensive review of Certolizumab pegol

Certolizumab Pegol (Cimzia®) is a novel type of anti-TNF and three published clinical trials have been reviewed that assessed the efficiency and safety of certolizumab in people who had already unsuccessfully tried disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDS) including methotrexate.

It was found that certolizumab treatment gave greater productivity at work, as well as decreasing the number of absences from work. An improvement in participation in family and leisure activities was also seen.

Overall, certolizumab, used as a monotherapy or used with methotrexate, was well received. The review concluded that these trials support certolizumab as an effective new option for treating RA.