Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment and Biopsy Study Assessing Certolizumab Pegol (Cimzia)

Inclusion Criteria:

• Signed and dated informed consent document

• Subjects must be at least 18 years of age or older

• Subject must be willing and able to comply with scheduled visits, arthroscopy,laboratory tests, and other procedures

• Diagnosis of RA based on American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1987 Revised Criteria

• Active disease at screening visit

• Methotrexate taken continuously for at least 12 weeks at a stable dosage

• Sexually active women of child-bearing potential and men whose partners are women ofchild-bearing potential are required to use adequate contraceptive methods duringparticipation on this trial

• Treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)and oral corticosteroids (less than or equal to 10 mg/day prednisone or equivalent)is accepted

Exclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of any other inflammatory arthritis

• History of infected joint prosthesis that is still in situ

• History of allergy to local anesthetic agents

• Pregnant or lactating women

• Current or recent history of uncontrolled clinically significantconditions(e.g..,kidney disease, liver disease, class III or IV congestive heartfailure, according to the New York Heart Association)

• History or suspected demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, e.g.multiple sclerosis or optic neuritis

• Current participation in clinical trial