Medical News Today reported today on status of Actemra 1-month post-launch. Actemra is the new IL-6 inhibitor on the block from Roche that competes in the crowded rheumatoid arthritis (RA) space.
A survey of rheumatologists indicates that most would see Actemra as an alternative to other IL-6 inhibitors Orencia (BMS) and Rituxan (also Roche). However, 60% of patients actually receiving Actemra so far were switched from an anti-TNF product.
The upshot for RA docs is that the anti-TNF's will remain the line 1 and line 2 agents in the treatment of RA patients. However, Actemra will be strong contender as line 3 agent and will likely be competiting head to head with Orencia. Stay tuned for more information in the 3 and 6 month follow up periods.
I have a personal interest in this area as my daughter takes one of the anti-TNFs - with very good success I might add, and as a manufacturer we support most of the biologics in this therapeutic class.
Posted by Bruce Lehr March 3, 2010
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