Comparison therapy of Tocilizumab+ MTX vs Riruximab+MTX in treatment of active rhuematoid arthritis - Essay Example

rature on two new agents, tocilizumab and rituximab was collected, and the reports examining the safety and efficacy of these two novel agents alone or in combination with methotrexate in the treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis were reviewed through a qualitative methodology. Some trials have indicated positive effects of combination of tocilizumab and rituximab with methotrexate. Rituximab successfully causes depletion of B lymphocytes in refractory cases of RA and may be a key component in the interruption of the disease pathogenesis.

It is expected that once data from clinical trials are available, tocilizumab will be used with the same goal of increasing symptom-free period and preventing joint destruction. However, based on the results of the literature review, it can be stated that for a long-term therapy of active rheumatoid arthritis, rituximab and methotrexate combination is safer and more efficacious than tocilizumab and methotrexate combination, although more long-term trials are necessary for the later combination.

As far as the facts from literature review are concerned, although the efficacy of both these regimens have been established based on standard criteria, and given this scenario, although rough comparison in different parameters of efficacy and safety can be made, a decisive conclusion is not possible without further trial or research. Since there are different parameters of a clinically effective treatment, an identical comparison of both the regimens are needed, with the problem being selection of patients with identical baseline.

A comparison is also necessary based on patient’s perception on the symptoms. A future trial involving these criteria may be needed to arrive at a guideline based on these regimens. Figure 6: Percentage of responders according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) improvement criteria and the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28) as well as mean change in Modified Health Assessment