Verhoeven MMA, de Hair MJH, Tekstra J, et al. - The efficacy of tocilizumab (TCZ), or TCZ plus MTX (TCZ+MTX) with methotrexate (MTX) plus 10 mg prednisone (MTX+pred) in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was compared, all initiated within a treat-to-target treatment strategy. Researchers used individual patient data of two trials, to indirectly compare tight-controlled treat-to-target strategies initiating TCZ (n = 103), TCZ+MTX (n = 106) or MTX+pred (n = 117); reference used was initiation of MTX (n = 227). As per outcomes, patients with early RA displayed better Disease Activity Score assessing 28 joints and remission rates in relation to TCZ-based strategies compared with MTX+pred. However, it appeared that at least part of these effects may be the consequence of a specific effect of TCZ on acute phase reactants.