Mease PJ, et al. - Researchers investigated the efficacy of methotrexate monotherapy vs etanercept monotherapy vs combining methotrexate and etanercept for treating patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). They randomized 851 patients with PsA to 1 of the following 3 treatment arms in this double-blind study: oral methotrexate (20 mg) plus subcutaneous placebo given weekly (n = 284), subcutaneous etanercept (50 mg) plus oral placebo given weekly (n = 284), or subcutaneous etanercept (50 mg) plus oral methotrexate (20 mg) given weekly (combination therapy; n = 283). According to the American College of Rheumatology response and Minimal Disease Activity response rates and extent of radiographic progression at follow-up etanercept monotherapy and combination therapy with etanercept and methotrexate had superior efficacy when compared to methotrexate monotherapy. Overall, the efficacy of etanercept did not improve when methotrexate was combined with etanercept.