Treat to Target โ€“ Tailoring Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Paul Emery, Maxime Dougados,, Paul P Tak, Arthur Kavanaugh, Ernest Choy, Andrea Rubbert-Roth
European Musculoskeletal Review, 2011;6(4):211-217
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Abstract

A satellite symposium entitled โ€˜Treat to target: Tailoring therapy in RAโ€™ was held on 26 May 2011 in London to increase awareness of new strategies in RA management. The aims of the programme were to discuss advances in the treatment of RA and to examine the evidence to support new treatment approaches. The latest safety data from the clinical trial programme for tocilizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against the interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor, were also discussed.
Keywords
Biological therapy, methotrexate, monotherapy, rheumatoid arthritis, tocilizumab
Disclosure Paul Emery has undertaken clinical trials and provided expert advice for Abbott, Pfizer, Merck, BMS, UCB and Roche. Maxime Dougados has received grant and honoraria from Roche Chugai, Pfizer, Abbott, UCB, BMS and Merck. Paul P Tak has served as a consultant to Abbott, Amgen, BMS, MSD, Pfizer and Roche/Genentech. Arthur Kavanaugh has performed sponsored clinical research and/or consulted for Abbott, Amgen, BMS, Centocor, UCB and Roche. Ernest Choy has received research grants, and served as a member of advisory boards and speaker bureaus of Abbott Laboratories, Allergan, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chelsea Therapeutics, Chugai Pharma, Eli Lilly, GSK, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Merrimack Pharmaceutical, MSD, Pfizer, Pierre Fabre Medicament, Roche, Schering Plough, Synovate, UCB Celltech and Wyeth. Andrea Rubbert-Roth has received a grant from Roche and Pfizer and honoraria for lectures from UCB, MSD, Pfizer, Amgen, BMS, Roche and Chugai.
Received: August 23, 2011 Accepted September 02, 2011
Correspondence: Professor Paul Emery, Arthritis Research UK Professor of Rheumatology, Director, Leeds Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Head of Division, Musculoskeletal Disease, University of Leeds, UK. E: p.emery@leeds.ac.uk

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, debilitating condition that imposes a significant health and economic burden. It is a heterogeneous disease with a variety of different clinical manifestations, including articular inflammation and joint destruction, as well as systemic effects such as anaemia, fatigue and osteoporosis.1

Reducing the progression of the joint damage and physical disability associated with RA is essential for preservation of quality of life and reducing early mortality. 2โ€“5 A number of core set variables and composite measures allow disease activity to be accurately measured. 6โ€“9 Despite advances in RA treatment, a significant proportion of patients do not achieve optimal treatment outcomes. Many patients fail to attain low disease activity, and management of patients who cannot tolerate disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) remains challenging.

A satellite symposium entitled โ€˜Treat to target: Tailoring therapy in RAโ€™ was held on 26 May 2011 in London to increase awareness of new strategies in RA management.

The aims of the programme were to discuss advances in the treatment of RA and to examine the evidence to support new treatment approaches. The latest safety data from the clinical trial programme for tocilizumab, a humanised monoclonal antibody against the interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor, were also discussed.

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