Oral CF101 Tablets and Methotrexate Treatment in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

This trial will test the hypothesis that the addition of CF101, a novel anti-inflammatory agent, will improve the clinical condition of patients with rheumatoid arthritis who still have active joint inflammation despite taking methotrexate for at least 6 months.

This will be a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, dose-finding study in which patients with active RA despite receiving methotrexate for at least 6 months (at unchanged doses for \>=2 months) will be randomized to the addition of either CF101 0.1 mg, CF101 1 mg, or placebo given orally q12h for 12 weeks. Screening examinations will occur within 1 month prior to dosing. Washout of other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) (with the exception of hydroxychloroquine), including biological agents, will occur prior to dosing; if washout is necessary, patients must re-qualify for inclusion following the washout. Doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and corticosteroids must be stable for \>=1 month prior to dosing and remain so during protocol participation. Disease activity will be assessed using swollen and tender joint counts, physician and patient global assessments (by visual analog scale, VAS), patient reported pain (by VAS), a Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) Disability Index (DI), Westergren erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR, Screening, Weeks 0 and12), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Assessments will take place at Screening, Baseline (Week 0), and at Weeks 2, 4, 8, and 12.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Males and females ages 18-75 years
* Meet the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology for RA (Arnett FC et al. Arthritis Rheum 1988;31:315-324; refer to Appendix 1. diagnostic criteria for Rheumatoid Arthritis)
* Not bed- or wheelchair-bound
* Active RA, as indicated by the presence of (a) \>=6 swollen joints (28 joint count); AND (b) \>=6 tender joints (28 joint count); AND either: (c) Westergren ESR of \>=28 mm/hour; OR (d) CRP level above the upper limit of normal for the central reference laboratory
* Treatment with weekly oral or parenteral methotrexate for \>=6 months prior to baseline
* Methotrexate route of administration has been unchanged for \>=2 months prior to baseline
* Dose of methotrexate has been stable at 15-25 mg/week for \>=2 months, and is expected to remain stable throughout the study; the stable dose of methotrexate may alternatively be 10-12.5 mg/week if documented toxicity has precluded a higher dose
* If taking hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine, administration duration has been for \>=3 months and dose has been stable for \>=2 months prior to baseline
* If taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent (NSAID), dose has been stable for at least 1 month prior to baseline, and will remain unchanged during protocol participation
* If taking an oral corticosteroid, dose is \<10 mg/day prednisone or equivalent, has been stable for at least 1 month prior to the stabilization period, and will remain stable through the stabilization and entire treatment and follow-up period
* Negative screening serum pregnancy test for female patients of childbearing potential
* Females of childbearing potential must utilize, throughout the course of the trial, 2 methods of contraception deemed adequate by the Investigator (for example, oral contraceptive pills plus a barrier method)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Receipt of any of the following for at least a 1 month stabilization period prior to dosing: sulfasalazine, oral or injectable gold, azathioprine, minocycline, penicillamine, anakinra
* Receipt of etanercept for at least a 6 week period prior to dosing
* Receipt of cyclosporine, infliximab or adalimumab for at least a 2 month period prior to dosing
* Receipt of leflunomide for at least a 2 month period prior to screening, unless patient has undergone cholestyramine washout at least 1 month prior to dosing
* Receipt of cyclophosphamide for at least a 6 month period prior to dosing
* Receipt of rituximab at any previous time
* Participation in a previous trial CF101 trial
* Use of oral corticosteroids \>10 mg of prednisone, or equivalent, per day
* Change in NSAID dose level for 1 month prior to dosing
* Change in oral corticosteroid dose level during the 1 month prior to, or during, the stabilization period vChange in hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine dose level during the 2 months prior to, or during, the stabilization period
* Receipt of parenteral or intra-articular corticosteroids during the 1 month prior to, or during, the stabilization period
* Significant cardiac arrhythmia or conduction block, congestive heart failure, or any other evidence of clinically significant heart disease; other clinically significant findings on screening electrocardiogram (ECG)
* Hemoglobin level \<9.0 gm/dL at the screening visit
* Platelet count \<125,000/mm3 at the screening visit
* White blood cell count \<3000/mm3 at the screening visit
* Serum creatinine level outside the central laboratory's normal limits at the screening visit
* Liver aminotransferase (ALT and/or AST) levels greater than 1.25 times the central laboratory's upper limit of normal at the screening visit
* Significant acute or chronic medical or psychiatric illness that, in the judgment of the Investigator, could compromise patient safety, limit the patient's ability to complete the study, and/or compromise the objectives of the study