Role of adalimumab, a novel TNF antagonist in advancing rheumatoid arthritis control

Adalimumab was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2002 for the treatment of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis and was granted approval from the European Medicines Evaluation Agency (EMEA) in September 2003. The standard dose is 40 mg given subcutaneously every other week, and the drug can be used alone or in combination with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs such as methotrexate. The efficacy of adalimumab has been demonstrated in clinical trials with more than 2400 patients. In these trials, adalimumab has acted rapidly to reduce the signs and symptoms of disease, with responses sustained over the long term. The significant inhibition of disease progression seen with adalimumab has led to significant improvements in physical function and health-related quality of life. Data from the clinical safety database in nearly 2500 patients have also shown that the drug is generally safe and well-tolerated.