Results from the phase III trial, dubbed CHARM, showed that remission rates were maintained through 56 weeks in patients who demonstrated response to Humira during the initial four-week open-label induction phase.
The trial initially included 854 patients who received open-label induction therapy with Humira 80mg at week zero and 40mg at week two. 76 patients withdrew prior to randomization, but the remaining 778 patients at week four were randomized to receive Humira 40mg every other week, Humira 40mg weekly or placebo through week 56.
“Results from CHARM reaffirm the potential of Humira to provide long-term management of this often difficult to treat disease,” said Dr Eugene Sun, vice president of global pharmaceutical clinical development at Abbott.
Humira is currently indicated for the treatment of rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis.