Uses and Compositions for Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

The invention provides methods, uses and compositions for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The invention describes methods and uses for treating rheumatoid arthritis wherein a TNFα inhibitor, such as a human TNFα antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof. Also described are methods for determining the efficacy of a TNFα inhibitor for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in a subject.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A method for enhancing immunization with a vaccine and treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a subject having RA, the method comprising administering to the subject a vaccine comprising an antigen and administering to the subject an antibody, or an antigen-binding portion thereof, that binds to human Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNFα) in an amount sufficient to enhance immunization with the vaccine and treat the RA in the subject, wherein the anti-TNFα antibody, or an antigen-binding portion thereof, comprises a light chain variable region (LCVR) having a CDR3 domain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, a CDR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5, and a CDR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7; and comprises a heavy chain variable region (HCVR) comprising a CDR3 domain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, a CDR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, and a CDR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising measuring the titer of antibodies produced by the subject against the antigen. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the vaccine is administered after initial administration of and concurrently with the antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the antigen is a bacterial antigen or a viral antigen. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the bacterial antigen is a pneumococcal antigen. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the viral antigen is an influenza antigen. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the vaccine is a subvirion vaccine. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the antigen is derived from a host organism and is purified away from the host organism. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof, comprises a light chain variable region (LCVR) comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 and comprises a heavy chain variable region (HCVR) comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof, is adalimumab. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein a 40 mg dose of adalimumab is subcutaneously administered biweekly to the subject.