A large-scale study of Actemra (tocilizumab) plus methotrexate successfully reduced the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in patients in a 24-week trial when compared with placebo. RA patients who had previously failed on anti-tumor necrosis factor treatments received either Actemra intravenously (4 mg/kg or 8 mg/kg) every 4 weeks plus weekly doses of methotrexate or placebo infusions every 4 weeks plus weekly methotrexate.

Based on metrics developed by the American College of Rheumatology, Actemra patients achieved better results and tolerated it well, with side effects such as nausea, headache, nasopharyngitis, diarrhea, and upper respiratory tract infection.

This particular trial was the third multinational phase 3 study of Actemra outside of Japan and is known as the RADIATE (Rheum-AtoiD Arthritis Study In Anti-TNF FailurEs) study.