Etanercept, already indicated for moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA), also looks promising for the treatment of early RA, according to new data presented at the 63rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology [Boston, US; November 1999]. In a large multicentre study, etanercept was more effective than methotrexate in improving the clinical signs and symptoms of RA in patients with early disease. Other studies presented at the meeting showed that long-term (up to 33 months) therapy with etanercept continues to be effective and well-tolerated in patients with moderate-to-severe RA and juvenile RA (JRA).