Authors' objectives: Certolizumab pegol is a Fab fragment humanised monoclonal antibody directed against tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) expressed in Escherichia coli and conjugated to polyethylene glycol (PEG). It is intended for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in combination with methotrexate (MTX). The estimated prevalence of RA in England is 0.86%, equivalent to around 346,000 people. The annual incidence of RA is 1.5 per 10,000 in males and 3.6 per 10,000 in females, which equates to approximately 12,000 new diagnoses each year in the UK. In 2013-14, there were 52,319 admissions for RA in England, resulting in 19,044 bed days and 53,207 finished consultant episodes. In 2013, 730 deaths from RA were registered in England and Wales. RA is currently incurable; however, symptoms can usually be managed. The goal of management is to suppress disease, control pain, reduce functional limitation, reduce risk of permanent joint damage and achieve clinical remission. The clinical management of RA includes physical therapy, surgical interventions and a range of pharmacological treatments including non-biological therapies (corticosteroids, MTX, sulfasalazine, leflunomide and azathioprine) and biological therapies (etanercept, abatacept, infliximab, adalimumab, golimumab, certolizumab pegol, and tocilizumab, all in combination with MTX). The biological therapies are currently only recommended for moderate to severe active RA after failure of at least two conventional non-biological therapies, including MTX. Certolizumab in combination with MTX is currently in phase III clinical trial study comparing its effect on sustained remission compared with placebo plus MTX. This trial is expected to complete in Sept 2015.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2015

URL for published report: http://www.hsric.nihr.ac.uk/topics/certolizumab-cimzia-for-early-rheumatoid-arthritis-first-line/

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England, United Kingdom

Organisation Name: NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre

Contact Address: The NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre, Department of Public Health, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics, School of Health and Population Sciences, University of Birmingham, 90 Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2SP. United Kingdom. Tel: +44 121 414 7831, Fax: +44 121 2269

Contact Name: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Contact Email: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Copyright: NIHR Horizon Scanning Research&Intelligence Centre (NIHR HSRIC)