RoActemra (tocilizumab) can inhibit joint

damage when given with methotrexate

Taken from NRAS magazine, New Year 2010

RoActemra (tocilizumab) was launched in the UK in October and new information shows that when it is used with methotrexate, it inhibits  progression of joint damage in 83% of people with RA after two years, compared to just 66% of people treated with methotrexate and placebo. They also found that the effect of the drug on disease activity increased over time for those receiving a dose of 8mg/kg. 65% of people achieved remission – a significant goal – after two years of treatment, compared to 48% of people treated for just one year.

Professor John Isaacs, of the Institute of Cellular Medicine at Newcastle University said “These positive data clearly show the benefit of using tocilizumab, known as RoActemra, over the long-term.”