Double-blind trial of recombinant gamma-interferon versus placebo in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. 1989.

Author(s): Cannon GW, Pincus SH, Emkey RD, Denes A, Cohen SA, Wolfe F, Saway PA, Jaffer AM, Weaver AL, Cogen L, Schindler JD

Affiliation(s): Division of Rheumatology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.

Publication date & source: 2008-02, Arthritis Rheum., 58(2 Suppl):S79-88.

Publication type: Biography; Classical Article; Historical Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

One hundred five patients were enrolled in a 12-week, randomized, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of recombinant human gamma-interferon (rHu gamma-IFN) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Fifty-four patients received rHu gamma-IFN and 51 received placebo. Forty-two patients in each group completed the 12-week trial. Some clinical improvement occurred in both groups of patients. Although the improvement with rHu gamma-IFN was greater than that with placebo, the differences were generally not statistically significant.