By Christopher P. Singer --
In a January 24, 2007 press release, Roche announced that
its multinational phase III study of Actemra (tocilizumab) for treatment of
rheumatoid arthritis has met its endpoint. The study focused on patients with rheumatoid arthritis that had poor
response to treatment with methotrexate. Over the course of the 24 week study, patients receiving Actemra (i.v.)
plus methotrexate reported improvements in symptoms relative to patients
receiving placebo plus methotrexate. Additional Actemra-rheumatoid arthritis phase III trials are ongoing
with results expected later this year.
Actemra is a humanized interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor
monoclonal antibody being developed by Roche in collaboration with Chugai. Actemra was initially launched in Japan in
2005 as a therapy for Castleman's disease.
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