Top 7 rheumatoid arthritis articles highlight biologics, biosimilars and risk factors

The most highly accessed articles about rheumatoid arthritis recently have focused on biologic therapies, biosimilars and risk factors, among other topics.

Studies related to the efficacy of biologic treatments of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) garnered the most attention recently, and Healio Rheumatology readers particularly demonstrated an interest in biologic drugs and their biosimilars in the pipeline.

Biosimilar Brenzys comparable to Enbrel in patients with RA

The biosimilar agent Brenzys (etanercept, Samsung Bioepis) was shown to have comparable efficacy and safety compared to originator Enbrel (etanercept, Amgen) after 24 weeks in patients with RA, according to recently published research. Read more.

SB2 biosimilar to Remicade shows comparable response, safety profile in patients with RA

Patients with RA showed a comparable response with SB2 (infliximab, Merck/Samsung Bioepis) compared to originator biologic Remicade (infliximab, Janssen Biotech), and a similar safety, immunogenicity and pharmacokinetic profile was observed, according to a recently published study. Read more.

Patients with moderate-to-severe RA may benefit from olokizumab

Patients with moderate-to-severe RA who did not respond adequately to prior treatment with anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha therapy may show improvement of symptoms with olokizumab, an interleukin-6 inhibitor, according to the results of a phase 2 study. Read more.

High sodium intake may be linked to RA

Individuals who self-reported a high level of sodium content in their diets were more likely to have RA, according to a recently published report. Read more.

Patients with RA may be at increased risk for heart failure

A higher prevalence of heart failure was seen in patients with RA compared to a cohort of participants without rheumatic diseases, according to a recently published study. Read more.

Tuberculosis rate low among patients with RA treated with Xeljanz

Tuberculosis was the most common opportunistic infection in patients with RA who were treated with Xeljanz (tofacitinib, Pfizer), but the rate was low in regions with low and medium incidence of tuberculosis, according to a recently published study. Read more.

Some patients with RA may prevent radiographic progression with Cimzia

Patients with RA who completed 128 weeks of treatment with Cimzia (certolizumab pegol, UCB) showed no radiographic progression, and no new safety concerns arose during the study, according to recently published research. Read more.