RAPID and FAST4WARD trials: certolizumab pegol for rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract	In the last decade, biological therapies have dramatically changed the treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in such a way that remission is currently an achievable goal. The armamentarium of therapeutic options for RA has recently been enriched with another approved anti-TNF-alpha agent, certolizumab pegol (CZP). This article reviews the trials conducted with CZP in RA, the Rheumatoid Arthritis PreventIon of structural Damage (RAPID 1 and 2) and the EFficAcy and Safety of cerTolizumab pegol - 4 Weekly dosAge in RheumatoiD arthritis (FAST4WARD). These trials have demonstrated that this new biological agent significantly improves the clinical signs and symptoms of RA, inhibits progression of structural damage, and improves physical function and quality of life in patients with active RA who have failed treatment with methotrexate. The safety profile of CZP is acceptable and similar to that of other anti-TNF-alpha agents.
Authors	Sofia Ramiro, Astrid M van Tubergen, Robert Bm Landewé
Journal	Expert review of clinical immunology (Expert Rev Clin Immunol) Vol. 6 Issue 5 Pg. 713-20 (Sep 2010) ISSN: 1744-8409 [Electronic] England
PMID	20828279 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
Chemical References	Anti-Inflammatory Agents Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha Polyethylene Glycols Certolizumab Pegol Methotrexate
Topics	Anti-Inflammatory Agents (adverse effects, pharmacology, therapeutic use) Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized Arthritis, Rheumatoid (diagnosis, drug therapy, physiopathology) Certolizumab Pegol Clinical Trials as Topic Disease Progression Drug Resistance Humans Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments (adverse effects, pharmacology, therapeutic use) Methotrexate (therapeutic use) Polyethylene Glycols (adverse effects, pharmacology, therapeutic use) Quality of Life Remission Induction Treatment Outcome Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (antagonists & inhibitors, immunology)

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