A Study of Imatinib 400 mg Once Daily in Combination With Methotrexate in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Inclusion Criteria: * With a diagnosis of RA classified by ACR 1987 revised criteria with symptoms for at least 6 months * Functional status class I, II, III according to the ACR 1991 revised classification criteria * Patients have to have been treated with MTX at the maximum tolerated dose for at least 3 months, and be on a stable dose and route of administration for at least 2 months prior to study entry * Disease activity criteria of minimum 6 out of 28 tender and swollen joints at baseline Exclusion Criteria: * With current use of DMARDs other than MTX. DMARDs include but are not limited to: biologic agents, thiolates (D-penicillamine, thiopronine), sulfasalazine, gold compounds, antimalarials, cyclosporine A, azathioprine, leflunomide and alkylating agents such as cyclophosphamide * With any DMRAD treatment used in combination with methotrexate within 1 month prior to study entry. In case of infliximab and leflunomide, a washout period of 2 months is required * With any therapy by intra-articular injection, including intra-articular corticosteroid use within 1 month prior to study entry Other protocol-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria may apply.