Certolizumab inhibits radiographic progression in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis and high rheumatoid factor levels: A pooled, post-hoc analysis of the phase 3 C-EARLY and C-OPERA trials
Authors' conclusion
In MTX-naïve patients with early RA, radiographic progression was more similar between CZP+MTX-treated patients with high and low RF levels, and consistently numerically lower, than PBO+MTX-treated patients.
Study context
- Population
- Methotrexate (MTX)-naïve patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and poor prognostic factors813 certolizumab pegol (CZP)+MTX, 367 placebo (PBO)+MTX
- Participants
- 571 / 242 / 242 / 125
- Comparison
- CZP+MTX vs PBO+MTX, stratified by rheumatoid factor (RF) level
- CZP+MTX low RFn = 571
- CZP+MTX high RFn = 242
- PBO+MTX low RFn = 242reference
- PBO+MTX high RFn = 125reference
- Primary endpoint
- Radiographic progression: change from baseline in modified Total Sharp Score (mTSS) and components, predicted risk of RP
- Follow-up
- Up to Wk52
Methodological detailsstratified by baseline RF level
- Stratified by baseline RF level
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Clinically meaningful radiographic worsening (ΔmTSS >5) · Wk24
Further findings
Clinical outcomes
- Generally favorable with PBO+MTX, but better with CZP+MTX
Original publication
Certolizumab inhibits radiographic progression in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis and high rheumatoid factor levels: A pooled, post-hoc analysis of the phase 3 C-EARLY and C-OPERA trials. Joint Bone Spine. Published 9 June 2026. doi:10.
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