Rheumatoid Arthritis Study
A Partially Blinded, Randomized, Multi-Center, Phase IV Trial to Evaluated Mechanism of Action Of Anti-TNF Agents in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Protocol ID
Protocol Description
This research study involves a class of drugs known as anti-TNF agents for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Humira (adalimumab) and Enbrel (etanercept) have both been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of RA. This study aims to look at the specific mechanism of action of these two drugs on the immune cells involved in RA. There are a number of immune cells believed to be responsible for the immune system “attack” in RA. Two of these are the B cells and the T cells. While it is known that the anti-TNF drugs target the T cell response, recent evidence suggests that the drugs may also have an effect on the B cells. This study aims to explore the effect of anti-TNF agents on B cells in particular.
Eligibility Criteria
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
Primary Investigator(s)
- Meggan Mackay, MD