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.