Summary

To date, few direct comparisons of biologic agents for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been conducted, resulting in a lack of evidence-based guidance for selection of biologic therapy. The Abatacept Versus Adalimumab Comparison in Biologic-Naïve RA Subjects With Background Methotrexate trial [AMPLE; NCT00929864] was the first powered head-to-head study comparing two biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, abatacept and adalimumab, with the standard of care, methotrexate. This article discusses Phase 3b of the AMPLE trial.