Basic and translational research

Weinblatt ME, Bingham CO, Mendelsohn AM, et al. Ann Rheum Dis (2012). doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2012-201411 1 of 9 and anti-TNF-experienced4 patients with RA when administered monthly via subcutaneous injection. Intravenous administration of golimumab every 12 weeks (q12 weeks) was previously assessed in a phase 3 trial in patients with RA, with persistent disease despite MTX therapy.5 While the study’s primary endpoint (≥50% improvement in American College of Rheumatology (ACR50) response criteria at week 14) was not achieved (21.4% vs 13.2%, p=0.051), intravenous golimumab+MTX substantially reduced RA signs/symptoms and improved physical function, particularly beyond week 14. Moreover, intravenous golimumab 2 mg/kg at weeks 0 and 12, plus MTX, yielded a substantially higher ACR20 response at week 14 (55%, 71/129 patients) than placebo+MTX (28%, 36/129); no unexpected toxicities were observed.5 The current GO-FURTHER trial further assessed intravenous golimumab 2 mg/kg effi cacy/safety in a larger patient population, while also evaluating a different dosing strategy (induction dosing at weeks 0 and 4, followed by q8-week maintenance therapy; see online supplementary fi le) to establish an effi cacious dosing regimen for long-term maintenance therapy with intravenous golimumab.