Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, autoimmune disease that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints of hands, feet and wrists, and can lead to the destruction of joints. Adalimumab [Humira; Abbott Laboratories] is the first fully human anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α monoclonal antibody, and can be used as monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate or other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Data presented at the 67th American College of Rheumatology (ACR) annual meeting [Orlando, Florida, US; October 2003] show that adalimumab provides long-term, clinically significant benefits, is well tolerated and is a cost-effective treatment alternative for patients with RA.1,2,3