A Proof of Concept and Dose Ranging Study in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

A Randomised, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled, Phase IIb Dose Ranging Study (With Open-label Etanercept Treatment Group) to Investigate Efficacy, Safety and Pharmacokinetics of AZD5672 Administered for 12 Weeks to Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Receiving Methotrexate.

This study is being carried out to investigate if AZD5672 is effective in treating Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and if so how it compares to placebo (a substance which does not have any action) and etanercept (a medicine already available to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis) when added to treatment with methotrexate. The purpose of this study is also to find out which dose of AZD5672 is the most effective at treating RA and to find out how well the body tolerates AZD5672 when taken for up to 12 weeks.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of RA with active disease defined as: ≥4 swollen joints and ≥6 tender/painful joints, and either have (blood tests) elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or C-reactive protein (CRP).
• At least one of the following: documented history of positive rheumatoid factor (blood test), current presence of positive rheumatoid factor (blood test), baseline radiographic erosion, presence of serum anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (bloo
• Be receiving either: Oral (tablets) or subcutaneous (injection) methotrexate for at least 6 months prior to randomisation.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any other inflammatory disease in addition to RA that may interfere with the study (e.g. polymyalgia rheumatica, giant cell arteritis, reactive arthritis, etc).
• Current chronic pain disorders including fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndromes.