Actemra More Effective Than Humira as Monotherapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Results from the ADACTA trial have revealed that adults with rheumatoid arthritis, who were being treated with Actemra (tocilizumab) as monotherapy (single drug therapy without other DMARDs), had greater improvement in disease activity after 24 weeks compared to patients receiving Humira (adalimumab) as monotherapy. About one in three rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with biologics receive the drugs as monotherapy, largely due to an intolerance to methotrexate. According to the study results presented at EULAR (European League Against Rheumatism), as monotherapy, Actemra was more effective than Humira for producing DAS28 remission, improvement in joint pain and swelling, and a better quality of life.

After 24 weeks of treatment, adults with severe active rheumatoid arthritis and intolerance or an inadequate response to methotrexate achieved a mean DAS28 score reduction of 3.3 with Actemra and 1.8 with Humira. The DAS28 remission rate (defined as DAS28 less than 2.6) was 40% with Actemra and 11% with Humira. Patients achieving ACR20, ACR50, and ACR70 tallied 65%, 47%, and 33% respectively with Actemra versus 49%, 28%, and 18% with Humira. Adverse event data was similar for the two drugs.

Related Articles:

• Actemra (tocilizumab) - What You Should Know
• The Facts of Humira
• What Is DAS28?
• Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis - What You Need to Know

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