A phase II study examining the effects of GPLG0259, an inhibitor of MAP kinase-activated protein kinase 5 (MK5), in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been stopped. The MAP kinase cascade regulates cytokine production and is an attractive target for pharmacological intervention. 30 patients with methotrexate-refractory RA were randomly assigned to receive either GPLG0259 or placebo, along with a stable dose of methotrexate, for 12 weeks. The percentage of patients who achieved an American College of Rheumatology 20% improvement (ACR20) response was the same in the GPLG0259 group as in the placebo group.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH PAPER
Westhovens, R. et al. Oral administration of GLPG0259, an inhibitor of MAPKAPK5, a new target for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: a phase II, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial. Ann. Rheum. Dis. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2012-202221
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MK5 inhibitor clinical trial shows no efficacy in RA. Nat Rev Rheumatol 9, 2 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrrheum.2012.213
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrrheum.2012.213
