AzTrials
AzTrials

Rheumatoid ArthritisPhase 3C-earlyNCT01519791

A Multi-center, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Certolizumab Pegol in Combination With Methotrexate in the Treatment of Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARD)-naïve Adults With Early Active Rheumatoid Arthritis

A Phase 3 study testing Certolizumab Pegol and Methotrexate in people with Rheumatoid Arthritis, run by UCB Pharma SA at 178 sites in 22 countries.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

This study is intended to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Certolizumab Pegol (CZP) in combination with Methotrexate (MTX) for inducing and sustaining clinical response in the treatment of Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drug (DMARD)-naïve adults with early active Rheumatoid Arthritis. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Rheumatoid Arthritis
What is being tested?
Certolizumab Pegol and Methotrexate
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
880 participants
Where
178 sitesin 22 countries
Study dates
Jan 2012to Sep 2015
Phase
Phase 3
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Subjects must have a time since diagnosis of adult-onset Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) less than 1 year as defined by the 2010 ACR/EULAR classification criteria from Screening Visit
  • Positive Rheumatoid Factor (RF) and/or positive anticyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibody (anti-CCP)
  • Active RA disease
  • DMARD-naïve
  • Subject is naïve to RA related biologics

Who cannot join

  • A diagnosis of any other inflammatory Arthritis
  • History of infected joint prosthesis, or other significant infection and other serious medical condition
  • Known Tuberculosis (TB) disease or high risk of acquiring TB infection

Trial locations and contacts

178 sites in 22 countries.

178 sites in 22 countries

United States70 sites
  • 207

    Albuquerque, New Mexico

  • 217

    Allen, Texas

  • 185

    Amarillo, Texas

  • 161

    Austin, Texas

  • 195

    Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

  • 209

    Birmingham, Alabama

  • 176

    Brooklyn, New York

  • 215

    Cedar Rapids, Iowa

  • 189

    Charleston, South Carolina

  • 183

    Clarksburg, West Virginia

  • 228

    Clifton, New Jersey

  • 226

    Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

  • 205

    Columbia, South Carolina

  • 178

    Corpus Christi, Texas

  • 160

    Covina, California

  • 162

    Dallas, Texas

  • 167

    Duncansville, Pennsylvania

  • 236

    Durham, North Carolina

  • 198

    Eagan, Minnesota

  • 190

    Fort Lauderdale, Florida

  • 247

    Glendale, Arizona

  • 174

    Glendale, Wisconsin

  • 177

    Hagerstown, Maryland

  • 257

    Hemet, California

  • 204

    Hendersonville, Tennessee

  • 184

    Houston, Texas

  • 206

    Houston, Texas

  • 223

    Houston, Texas

  • 170

    Huntsville, Alabama

  • 196

    Jupiter, Florida

  • 199

    Kalamazoo, Michigan

  • 233

    Kennewick, Washington

  • 238

    Lake Mary, Florida

  • 229

    Lebanon, New Hampshire

  • 181

    Lincoln, Nebraska

  • 159

    Los Angeles, California

  • 158

    Mesquite, Texas

  • 232

    Miami, Florida

  • 245

    Middleburg Heights, Ohio

  • 180

    Mobile, Alabama

  • 213

    Naples, Florida

  • 175

    Nassau Bay, Texas

  • 214

    Ocala, Florida

  • 241

    Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

  • 237

    Orange Park, Florida

  • 255

    Orlando, Florida

  • 163

    Palm Harbor, Florida

  • 165

    Paradise Valley, Arizona

  • 234

    Paradise Valley, Arizona

  • 243

    Phoenix, Arizona

  • 242

    Plainview, New York

  • 249

    Plano, Texas

  • 166

    Plantation, Florida

  • 186

    Portland, Oregon

  • 256

    Reno, Nevada

  • 227

    Rochester, New York

  • 197

    San Antonio, Texas

  • 201

    San Leandro, California

  • 192

    Sarasota, Florida

  • 224

    South Bend, Indiana

  • 244

    Springfield, Illinois

  • 179

    St Louis, Missouri

  • 251

    Tucson, Arizona

  • 203

    Tupelo, Mississippi

  • 202

    Upland, California

  • 200

    Vero Beach, Florida

  • 172

    Whittier, California

  • 191

    Wichita, Kansas

  • 210

    Wichita, Kansas

  • 168

    Wyomissing, Pennsylvania

Other trials in United States

Germany16 sites
  • 52

    Bad Doberan

  • 17

    Bayreuth

  • 113

    Berlin

  • 120

    Berlin

  • 89

    Erfurt

  • 70

    Frankfurt

  • 71

    Hamburg

  • 81

    Hildesheim

  • 127

    Lingen

  • 61

    München

  • 53

    Planegg

  • 132

    Ratingen

  • 49

    Rendsburg

  • 69

    Rheine

  • 114

    Würzburg

  • 59

    Zerbst

Other trials in Germany

Australia8 sites
  • 6

    Coffs Harbour, New South Wales

  • 5

    Fitzroy, Victoria

  • 4

    Geelong, Victoria

  • 2

    Herson, Queensland

  • 3

    Malvern, Victoria

  • 1

    Maroochydore, Queensland

  • 7

    Perth, Western Australia

  • 8

    Woodville South, South Australia

Other trials in Australia

Colombia8 sites
  • 303

    Barranquilla

  • 272

    Bogotá

  • 293

    Bogotá

  • 299

    Bogotá

  • 297

    Bucaramanga

  • 288

    Chía

  • 271

    Medellín

  • 298

    Medellín

Other trials in Colombia

Poland7 sites
  • 128

    Bydgoszcz

  • 67

    Elblag

  • 99

    Krakow

  • 92

    Poznan

  • 74

    Torun

  • 100

    Warsaw

  • 44

    Wroclaw

Other trials in Poland

Romania7 sites
  • 58

    Brasov

  • 111

    Bucharest

  • 22

    Bucharest

  • 25

    Bucharest

  • 26

    Bucharest

  • 24

    Iași

  • 57

    Lasi

Other trials in Romania

United Kingdom7 sites
  • 125

    Cannock

  • 105

    Dudley

  • 56

    Leeds

  • 121

    London

  • 27

    London

  • 80

    Sheffield

  • 119

    York

Other trials in United Kingdom

Hungary6 sites
  • 18

    Budapest

  • 21

    Budapest

  • 86

    Eger

  • 131

    Szolnok

  • 110

    Szombathely

  • 19

    Veszprém

Other trials in Hungary

Mexico6 sites
  • 281

    Durango

  • 286

    Guadalajara

  • 302

    Mérida

  • 292

    Mexico City

  • 280

    Monterrey

  • 294

    San Luis Potosí City

Other trials in Mexico

Sweden6 sites
  • 76

    Gothenburg

  • 82

    Huddinge

  • 106

    Lund

  • 123

    Malmö

  • 77

    Stockholm

  • 75

    Uppsala

Other trials in Sweden

France5 sites
  • 16

    Le Kremlin-Bicêtre

  • 85

    Le Mans

  • 88

    Montpellier

  • 34

    Orléans

  • 79

    Strasbourg

Other trials in France

Italy5 sites
  • 115

    Ferrara

  • 122

    Milan

  • 40

    Reggio Emilia

  • 72

    Roma

  • 41

    Verona

Other trials in Italy

Argentina4 sites
  • 276

    Buenos Aires

  • 284

    Rosario

  • 279

    San Juan

  • 291

    San Miguel de Tucumán

Other trials in Argentina

Belgium4 sites
  • 51

    Brussels

  • 126

    Gilly

  • 36

    Kortrijk

  • 65

    Yvoir

Other trials in Belgium

Canada4 sites
  • 235

    Hamilton, Ontario

  • 240

    Kelowna, British Columbia

  • 188

    Montreal, Quebec

  • 194

    Trois-Rivières, Quebec

Other trials in Canada

Czechia4 sites
  • 108

    Brno

  • 124

    Bruntál

  • 38

    Hradec Králové

  • 37

    Prague

Other trials in Czechia

Ireland3 sites
  • 33

    Cork

  • 54

    Dublin

  • 32

    Limerick

Other trials in Ireland

Spain3 sites
  • 93

    A Coruña

  • 47

    Madrid

  • 63

    Santiago de Compostela

Other trials in Spain

Switzerland2 sites
  • 118

    Fribourg

  • 68

    Sankt Gallen

Other trials in Switzerland

Austria1 site
  • 50

    Vienna

Other trials in Austria

Monaco1 site
  • 78

    Monaco

Other trials in Monaco

Netherlands1 site
  • 42

    Leiden

Other trials in Netherlands

About this study

Official title: A Multi-center, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Certolizumab Pegol in Combination With Methotrexate for Inducing and Sustaining Clinical Response in the Treatment of DMARD-Naïve Adults With Early Active Rheumatoid Arthritis

This study is intended to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Certolizumab Pegol (CZP) in combination with Methotrexate (MTX) for inducing and sustaining clinical response in the treatment of Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drug (DMARD)-naïve adults with early active Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Being tested
Certolizumab Pegol, Placebo, Methotrexate
Keywords
Certolizumab Pegol - Cimzia, Methotrexate, Rheumatoid Arthritis
Medical subject headings
Arthritis, Rheumatoid

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Certolizumab PegolBiological

    Also called Cimzia, CZP

    Prefilled syringes containing an injectable volume of 1 ml of solution for injection CZP for single use at a dosage strength of 200 mg/ml.

    Injections will be given subcutaneously. CZP 400 mg at Baseline, Week 2 and Week 4, followed by a maintenance dose of 200 mg every 2 Weeks until Week 50.

  • PlaceboOther

    2 syringes Placebo at Baseline, Week 2 and Week 4, followed by 1 syringe Placebo every 2 Weeks.

  • MethotrexateBiological

    Also called MTX

    The MTX treatment is to be initiated at a dose of 10 mg per Week (oral tablets at the strength of 2.5 mg/tablet). The MTX dosage should be escalated by 5 mg every 2 Weeks such that the maximum dosage of 25 mg per Week is achieved by Week 6 to Week 8. Patients who could not tolerate ≥ 15 mg/week MTX by Week 8 were withdrawn while the maximum tolerated dose per patient (optimized dose) was maintained to Week 52.

Study groups in NCT01519791
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Certolizumab Pegol + MethotrexateExperimentalNot described
Receives: Biological: Certolizumab Pegol; Biological: Methotrexate
Placebo + MethotrexatePlacebo comparatorNot described
Receives: Other: Placebo; Biological: Methotrexate

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Percentage of Subjects in Sustained Remission at Week 52

    Sustained remission is defined as a Disease Activity Score [Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate] (DAS28[ESR]) < 2.6 at both Weeks 40 and 52.

    DAS28[ESR] is calculated using the Tender Joint Count (TJC), Swollen Joint Count (SJC) Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR in mm/hour), and the Patient's Global Assessment of Disease Activity - Visual Analog Scale (PtGADA-VAS in mm) using the following formula:

    0.56 x √(TJC) + 0.28 x √(SJC) + 0.70 x lognat (ESR) + 0.014 x PtGADA, where 28 joints are examined and a lower score indicates less disease activity.

    Measured: Week 52

Secondary outcomes (29)
  1. Percentage of Subjects in Sustained Low Disease Activity (LDA) at Week 52

    Sustained LDA is defined as a Disease Activity Score [Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate] (DAS28[ESR]) ≤ 3.2 at both Weeks 40 and 52.

    Measured: Week 52

  2. Change From Baseline in Modified Total Sharp Score (mTSS) to Week 52

    Van der Heijde modified Total Sharp Score (mTSS) is a methodology to assess the degree of joint damage by quantifying the extent of bone erosions and joint space narrowing for 44 and 42 joints, respectively. The mTSS ranges from 0 to 448, with higher scores representing greater damage.

    Measured: From Baseline (Week 0) to Week 52

  3. Percentage of Subjects With Radiographic Non-progression From Baseline to Week 52

    Radiographic non-progression is defined as change in mTSS ≤ 0.5.

    Measured: From Baseline (Week 0) to Week 52

  4. Change From Baseline in the Joint Erosion Score to Week 52

    Erosions were assessed in 16 locations per hand and 6 joints per foot. Erosions for each hand location were scored from 0 to 5, with 0 indicating no erosion. Scores 1 to 5 may have included combinations of discrete erosion(s) and/or large erosions. Erosions for each foot joint were scored from 0 to 10, with 0 indicating no erosions.

    The maximum possible erosion score for all 32-hand joints was 160. The maximum possible erosion score for all 12 feet joints was 120. Thus, the maximum possible total erosion score for hands and feet was 280.

    Measured: From Baseline (Week 0) to Week 52

  5. Change From Baseline in the Joint Narrowing Score to Week 52

    Joint space narrowing (JSN) was assessed in 15 locations per hand and 6 locations per foot. Joint space narrowing for each location was scored from 0 to 4, with 0 indicating no narrowing. The maximum possible score for JSN in all 30 hand joints was 120. The maximum possible score for JSN in all 12 feet joints was 48. Thus, the maximum possible total JSN score for Hands and feet was 168.

    Measured: From Baseline (Week 0) to Week 52

  6. Percentage of Subjects Meeting the American College of Rheumatology 20 % Response Criteria (ACR20) at Week 52

    The assessments are based on a 20 % or greater improvement from Baseline in the number of tender joints, a 20 % or more improvement in the number of swollen joints, and a 20% or greater improvement in 3 of the 5 remaining core set measures: Patient's Global Assessment of Disease Activity (PtGADA), Physician's Global Assessment of Disease Activity (PhGADA), Patient's Assessment of Arthritis Pain (PtAAP), physical function as assessed by the Health Assessment Questionnaire - Disability Index (HAQ-DI) and C-Reactive Protein (CRP).

    Measured: From Baseline (Week 0) to Week 52

  7. Percentage of Subjects Meeting the American College of Rheumatology 50 % Response Criteria (ACR50) at Week 52

    The assessments are based on a 50 % or greater improvement from Baseline in the number of tender joints, a 50 %, or more improvement in the number of swollen joints, and a 50 % or greater improvement in 3 of the 5 remaining core set measures: Patient's Global Assessment of Disease Activity (PtGADA), Physician's Global Assessment of Disease Activity (PhGADA), Patient's Assessment of Arthritis Pain (PtAAP), physical function as assessed by the Health Assessment Questionnaire - Disability Index (HAQ-DI) and C-Reactive Protein (CRP).

    Measured: From Baseline (Week 0) to Week 52

  8. Percentage of Subjects Meeting the American College of Rheumatology 70 % Response Criteria (ACR70) at Week 52

    The assessments are based on a 70 % or greater improvement from Baseline in the number of tender joints, a 70 %, or more improvement in the number of swollen joints, and a 70 % or greater improvement in 3 of the 5 remaining core set measures: Patient's Global Assessment of Disease Activity (PtGADA), Physician's Global Assessment of Disease Activity (PhGADA), Patient's Assessment of Arthritis Pain (PtAAP), physical function as assessed by the Health Assessment Questionnaire - Disability Index (HAQ-DI) and C-Reactive Protein (CRP).

    Measured: From Baseline (Week 0) to Week 52

  9. Percentage of Subjects Meeting the 2011 American College of Rheumatology/ European League Against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR) Remission Criteria at Week 52

    The ACR/EULAR 2011 remission criteria is defined as:

    Tender Joint Count (TJC) ≤ 1, Swollen Joint Count (SJC) ≤ 1, C-reactive protein (CRP) ≤ 1 mg/dl and Patient's Global Assessment of Disease Activity (PtGADA) ≤ 1.

    Measured: Week 52

  10. Percentage of Subjects With Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) ≤ 2.8 at Week 52

    CDAI is calculated as the sum of tender joint count (TJC), swollen joint count (SJC), Patient's Global Assessment of Disease Activity - Visual Analog Scale (PtGADA-VAS in mm), and Physician's Global Assessment of Disease Activity - Visual Analog Scale (PhGADA-VAS in mm). 28 joints are examined where a lower score indicates less disease activity.

    Measured: Week 52

  11. Percentage of Subjects With Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) ≤ 3.3 at Week 52

    SDAI is calculated as the sum of tender joint count (TJC), swollen joint count (SJC), Patient's Global Assessment of Disease Activity - Visual Analog Scale (PtGADA-VAS in mm), Physician's Global Assessment of Disease Activity - Visual Analog Scale (PhGADA-VAS in mm) and C-Reactive Protein (CRP in mg/L). 28 joints are examined where a lower score indicates less disease activity.

    Measured: Week 52

  12. Percentage of Subjects With Disease Activity Score 28 [Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate] (DAS28 [ESR]) < 2.6 at Week 52

    DAS28[ESR] is calculated using the Tender Joint Count (TJC), Swollen Joint Count (SJC) Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR in mm/hour), and the Patient's Global Assessment of Disease Activity - Visual Analog Scale (PtGADA-VAS in mm) using the following formula:

    0.56 x √(TJC) + 0.28 x √(SJC) + 0.70 x lognat (ESR) + 0.014 x PtGADA, where 28 joints are examined and a lower score indicates less disease activity.

    Measured: Week 52

  13. Percentage of Subjects Meeting the 2011 American College of Rheumatology/ European League Against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR) Remission Criteria Simplified for Clinical Practice at Week 52

    The 2011 ACR/EULAR remission criteria simplified for clinical practice is defined as:

    Tender Joint Count (TJC) ≤ 1, Swollen Joint Count (SJC) ≤ 1 and Patient's Global Assessment of Disease Activity (PtGADA) ≤ 1.

    Measured: Week 52

  14. Percentage of Subjects Achieving a Good or Moderate European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Response at Week 52

    Good response is defined as:

    DAS28[ESR] ≤ 3.2 and decrease from Baseline by > 1.2;

    moderate response is defined as achievement of one of the following:

    • DAS28[ESR] ≤ 3.2 and decrease from Baseline > 0.6 and ≤ 1.2
    • DAS28[ESR] > 3.2 and ≤ 5.1 and decrease from Baseline > 0.6
    • DAS28[ESR] > 5.1 and decrease from Baseline >1.2.

    Measured: From Baseline (Week 0) to Week 52

  15. Change From Baseline in Disease Activity Score 28 [Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate] (DAS28 [ESR]) to Week 52

    DAS28[ESR] is calculated using the Tender Joint Count (TJC), Swollen Joint Count (SJC) Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR in mm/hour), and the Patient's Global Assessment of Disease Activity - Visual Analog Scale (PtGADA-VAS in mm) using the following formula:

    0.56 x √(TJC) + 0.28 x √(SJC) + 0.70 x lognat (ESR) + 0.014 x PtGADA, where 28 joints are examined and a lower score indicates less disease activity. A negative value in DAS28[ESR] change from Baseline indicates an improvement from Baseline.

    Measured: From Baseline (Week 0) to Week 52

  16. Change From Baseline in Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) to Week 52

    CDAI is calculated as the sum of tender joint count (TJC), swollen joint count (SJC), Patient's Global Assessment of Disease Activity - Visual Analog Scale (PtGADA-VAS in mm), and Physician's Global Assessment of Disease Activity - Visual Analog Scale (PhGADA-VAS in mm). 28 joints are examined where a lower score indicates less disease activity.

    The CDAI score ranges from 0 to 76, with a negative value in CDAI change from Baseline indicating an improvement from Baseline.

    Measured: From Baseline (Week 0) to Week 52

  17. Change From Baseline in Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) to Week 52

    SDAI is calculated as the sum of tender joint count (TJC), swollen joint count (SJC), Patient's Global Assessment of Disease Activity - Visual Analog Scale (PtGADA-VAS in mm), Physician's Global Assessment of Disease Activity - Visual Analog Scale (PhGADA-VAS in mm) and C-Reactive Protein (CRP in mg/L). 28 joints are examined where a lower score indicates less disease activity.

    The SDAI score ranges from 0 to 86, with a negative value in SDAI change from Baseline indicating an improvement from Baseline.

    Measured: From Baseline (Week 0) to Week 52

  18. Percentage of Subjects With a Health Assessment Questionnaire- Disability Index (HAQ-DI) ≤ 0.5 at Week 52

    Normative physical function is defined as HAQ-DI score ≤ 0.5. The domains of the HAQ-DI are dressing and grooming, arising, eating, walking, hygiene, reach, grip and common daily activities.

    The total score ranges from 0 to 3 with lower scores meaning lower disability.

    Measured: Week 52

  19. Change From Baseline in the Health Assessment Questionnaire - Disability Index (HAQ-DI) to Week 52

    The domains of the HAQ-DI are dressing and grooming, arising, eating, walking, hygiene, reach, grip and common daily activities.

    The total score ranges from 0 (no difficulty) to 3 (unable to do) with lower scores meaning lower disability.

    A negative value in HAQ-DI change from Baseline indicates an improvement from Baseline.

    Measured: From Baseline (Week 0) to Week 52

  20. Change From Baseline in the Bristol Rheumatoid Arthritis Fatigue- Multidimensional Questionnaire (BRAF-MDQ) Total Score to Week 52

    BRAF-MDQ total score ranges from 0 to 70 (with higher scores indicating worse fatigue).

    A negative value in BRAF-MDQ change from Baseline indicates an improvement from Baseline.

    Measured: From Baseline (Week 0) to Week 52

  21. Number of Work Days Missed (Work Productivity Survey - Rheumatoid Arthritis [WPS-RA]) at Week 52

    Number of work days missed in the last month for employed subjects.

    Measured: Week 52

  22. Number of Work Days With Reduced Productivity (Work Productivity Survey - Rheumatoid Arthritis [WPS-RA]) at Week 52

    Number of work days with reduced productivity in the last month for employed subjects.

    Measured: Week 52

  23. Interference With Work Productivity (Work Productivity Survey - Rheumatoid Arthritis [WPS-RA]) at Week 52

    The Arthritis interference in the last month with work productivity is measured on a scale that ranges from 0 (no interference) to 10 (complete interference) for employed subjects.

    Measured: Week 52

  24. Number of Days With no Household Work (Work Productivity Survey - Rheumatoid Arthritis [WPS-RA]) at Week 52

    Number of days with no household work in the last month.

    Measured: Week 52

  25. Number of Days With Reduced Household Work Productivity (Work Productivity Survey - Rheumatoid Arthritis [WPS-RA]) at Week 52

    Number of days with reduced household work productivity in the last month.

    Measured: Week 52

  26. Number of Days With Hired Outside Help (Work Productivity Survey - Rheumatoid Arthritis [WPS-RA]) at Week 52

    Number of days with hired outside help in the last month.

    Measured: Week 52

  27. Number of Days Missed of Family/Social/Leisure Activities (Work Productivity Survey - Rheumatoid Arthritis [WPS-RA]) at Week 52

    Number of days missed of family/social/leisure activities in the last month.

    Measured: Week 52

  28. Interference With Household Work Productivity (Work Productivity Survey - Rheumatoid Arthritis [WPS-RA]) at Week 52

    The Arthritis interference in the last month with household work productivity is measured on a scale that ranges from 0 (no interference) to 10 (complete interference).

    Measured: Week 52

  29. Percentage of Subjects Achieving Low Disease Activity (LDA) at Week 52

    LDA is defined as achieving a Disease Activity Score 28 [Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate] (DAS28 [ESR]) ≤ 3.2.

    Measured: Week 52

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted27 Jan 2012 (estimated)
  2. Study startJan 2012
  3. Primary completionJul 2014
  4. Study completionSep 2015

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 3
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Participant, Investigator
Enrolment
880 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT01519791
Sponsor's protocol ID
RA0055 Period 1
Other IDs
2011-001729-25
Acronym
C-early
Status last verified
Aug 2026
First submitted
19 Jan 2012
Last updated
25 Aug 2026
Data monitoring committee
No
Expanded access
Available

Publications

  • Emery P, Bingham CO 3rd, Burmester GR, Bykerk VP, Furst DE, Mariette X, van der Heijde D, van Vollenhoven R, Arendt C, Mountian I, Purcaru O, Tatla D, VanLunen B, Weinblatt ME. Certolizumab pegol in combination with dose-optimised methotrexate in DMARD-naive patients with early, active rheumatoid arthritis with poor prognostic factors: 1-year results from C-EARLY, a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III study. Ann Rheum Dis. 2017 Jan;76(1):96-104. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2015-209057. Epub 2016 May 10.

    PubMed 27165179
  • Weinblatt ME, Bingham CO 3rd, Burmester GR, Bykerk VP, Furst DE, Mariette X, van der Heijde D, van Vollenhoven R, VanLunen B, Ecoffet C, Cioffi C, Emery P. A Phase III Study Evaluating Continuation, Tapering, and Withdrawal of Certolizumab Pegol After One Year of Therapy in Patients With Early Rheumatoid Arthritis. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2017 Oct;69(10):1937-1948. doi: 10.1002/art.40196. Epub 2017 Sep 12.

    PubMed 28666080
  • Smolen JS, Taylor PC, Burmester G, Tanaka Y, Takeuchi T, Curtis JR, Lopez-Medina C, Robinson WH, Huizinga T, Mahoney P, Lauwerys B, Ufuktepe B, Mikuls TR. 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. 2026 Jun 9;93(5):106087. doi: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2026.106087. Online ahead of print.

    PubMed 42263998

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 3 study testing Certolizumab Pegol and Methotrexate in people with Rheumatoid Arthritis, run by UCB Pharma SA at 178 sites in 22 countries.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 25 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 178 sites in United States, Germany, Australia, Colombia, Poland and 17 more countries. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 3 studies compare the treatment with the current standard treatment or a placebo in a large group, to confirm how well it works and watch for side effects.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 22 Sep 2015). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Percentage of Subjects in Sustained Remission at Week 52 (time frame: Week 52). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT01519791, which also lists 3 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 25 Aug 2026.

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