The AMBITION trial: tocilizumab monotherapy for rheumatoid arthritis

Recent years have seen many exciting developments in the treatment of inflammatory arthritis. Tocilizumab (TCZ) is a compound that inhibits the IL-6 receptor. Following initial studies in Japan, it has been extensively studied in five multicenter clinical trials. This report concentrates on the Actemra Versus Methotrexate Double-blind Investigative Trial in Monotherapy (AMBITION), which compared TCZ monotherapy (8 mg/kg every 4 weeks) with methotrexate monotherapy over 24 weeks. TCZ was shown to be the first biologic agent that is superior to methotrexate across a whole range of clinical outcomes measures with a rapid onset of effect. Significant liver toxicity was less common in the TCZ group. However, increases in lipids and decreases in neutrophils and skin infections were more common in the TCZ arm. Long-term efficacy and safety follow-up is ongoing. This trial supports the use of TCZ as monotherapy and suggests it should be regarded as a first-line biologic therapy.