The role of golimumab in inflammatory arthritis. A review of the evidence

Background: Golimumab (GOL) is a tumor necrosis factor inhibitor that is used for various types of inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). This article is a systematic review of the evidence for the efficacy and safety of golimumab in inflammatory arthritides, specifically RA, PsA and AS. Methods: We conducted a search of randomized controlled trails in MEDLINE [PubMed], CENTRAL, Embase, and Current Controlled Trials databases (ClinicalTrials.gov) through 2017 for studies that evaluated golimumab in inflammatory arthritides. We focused on pivotal, phase III trials for this review of the safety and efficacy of the drug. However, as some important information is not available in detail in publications from the phase III studies, additional individual studies pertaining to antidrug antibodies were also included. Results: A total of 12, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies were included in this review of literature. Two trials focused on the GOL response in the PsA population, four trials focused on the GOL response in the AS population, and five trials focused on the GOL response in the RA population. Additional studies that evaluated autodrug antibodies produced in patients using GOL were also included. Conclusion: Golimumab was found to be clinically effective and also have a good safety profile in the treatment of RA, PsA, and AS based on data available from large studies.