Johnson and Johnson’s golimumab research presented at ACR meeting

Research into the use of golimumab (CNTO 148) in conjunction with methotrexate has been presented at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) meeting. Phase II trials showed that the treatment resulted in a minimum 20 per cent improvement in symptoms of arthritis after one year.

Golimumab, a biologic from Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Centocor and Schering-Plough, is an anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody that targets and neutralises the membrane-bound and soluble forms of TNF-alpha.

The study showed that patients receiving subcutaneous injections of golimimab and methotrexate had significantly more ACR 20, 50, 70 compared to those who were administered with a placebo plus methotrexate.

Jonathan Kay, director of clinical trials, rheumatology unit at the Massachusetts General Hospital, said: “In preliminary 16 week study findings, golimumab reduced the signs and symptoms and induced remission in patients with rheumatoid arthritis”

He added that these results showed that the effects of the treatment were sustained, which he described as a “promising” development for the therapy.

Other analysis presented this week at the ACR meeting included data showing that men and women with sustained and moderate forms of rheumatoid arthritis both have similar lowering in the probability of being in employment.