Study: Enbrel Plus Methotrexate Effective for Rheumatoid Arthritis

The combination therapy of Enbrel® and methotrexate is effective in treating the symptoms and joint damage of rheumatoid arthritis, according to Swedish researchers.

The researchers on June 16 presented a report to a European League Against Rheumatism symposium on a study involving 682 rheumatoid arthritis patients.

The study particiants received either Enbrel plus methotrexate, or enbrel, or methotrexate, by themselves. The researchers found that the combined therapy inhibited progression of joint damage and offered significant symptom relief for rheumatoid arthritis patients

"The study is the first to compare a combination of Enbrel and methotrexate with either therapy alone in patients with rheumatoid arthritis," said primary investigator Dr. Lars Klareskog, professor of rheumatology at Karolinska Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden.

Enbrel is the only biologic therapy approved for first line treatment of rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Other sources: Amgen