Combination of infliximab and methotrexate therapy for early rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized, controlled trial

An open-label pilot study of the effectiveness of adalimumab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and previous infliximab treatment: relationship to reasons for failure and anti-infliximab antibody status

This prospective open-label pilot study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of adalimumab and the relationship to antibodies against infliximab (IFX) in adult patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who had been treated previously with IFX and experienced treatment failure owing to lack or loss of response or intolerance. Patients self-administered adalimumab 40 mg subcutaneously every other week for 16 weeks, followed by maintenance therapy for up to Week 56. Measures of effectiveness included American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response criteria, 28-joint Disease Activity Score, and the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index. Serum IFX concentrations, human antichimeric antibody against IFX (HACA), adalimumab serum concentrations, antiadalimumab antibody, and safety also were assessed. Of the 41 enrolled patients, 37 completed 16 weeks and 30 completed 56 weeks of treatment. Patients experienced clinically meaningful improvements in all measures of RA activity, with greater response rates observed for patients who had experienced loss of initial response to or intolerance of IFX. At Week 16, 46% of patients achieved an ACR20 and 28% achieved an ACR50; 61% achieved an at least moderate and 17% achieved a good EULAR response. Clinical benefit was maintained through Week 56 in all effectiveness parameters. Baseline HACA status did not significantly impact effectiveness. No new safety signals were observed; neither former IFX intolerance status nor baseline HACA status had a clinically relevant impact on adverse event frequency or severity. Adalimumab was effective and well-tolerated in patients with RA who previously failed IFX therapy, irrespective of reason for discontinuation and of HACA status.

Infliximab dosage and infusion frequency in clinical practice: experiences in the Stockholm biologics registry STURE

OBJECTIVE

To characterize dosages and frequencies of infliximab in a publicly financed health-care system without administrative restrictions on the use of biologics.

METHODS

Data from the Stockholm TNFalpha follow-up registry (STURE) were used. Dosages and frequencies of infliximab were adjusted when clinically indicated. Kaplan-Meier survival function was calculated for maintenance of initial infliximab dosage, initial frequency, and both combined; the influence of baseline characteristics on the adjustments and the effects of these adjustments on clinical outcomes were analysed. All analyses were for patients who continued on therapy only.

RESULTS

The 1-year survival on initial infliximab frequency was 96.3+/-1.8%, on initial infliximab dose 70.5+/-4.3%, and on the two combined 68.7+/-4.3% (cumulative survival estimate +/- SE). At 2 years, the corresponding values were 88.1+/-3.4%, 53.4+/-5.1%, and 50.3+/-5.1%, and after 3 years 77.4+/-4.9%, 45.9+/-5.4%, and 41.5+/-5.3%. A higher number of prior disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), use of glucocorticoids, and lower baseline swollen joints counts (SJCs) predicted greater likelihood of later adjustments. Efficacy of dosage increases was modest, as reported previously, while frequency increases appeared more efficacious.

CONCLUSION

Infliximab dosages and dosing frequencies are increased frequently in clinical practice: after 3 years, only 42% of patients continued on the original schedule. While frequency increases appear to result in better effect persistence between infusions, the gains from dosage increases are small and may not be better than chance. These data suggest that the total amounts of infliximab needed to obtain satisfactory disease control are greater than the amounts suggested by the original dosing recommendations, and may have bearing on pharmaco-economic issues pertaining to treatment with infliximab and other therapeutic agents.

Clinical remission and/or minimal disease activity in patients receiving adalimumab treatment in a multinational, open-label, twelve-week study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of adalimumab treatment on clinical remission and/or minimal disease activity (MDA) in 6,610 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were enrolled in the Research in Active RA trial, a multinational, open-label, 12-week study with an optional extension period.

METHODS

Clinical remission was defined as a Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28)<2.6, Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) score<or=3.3, or Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) score<or=2.8. MDA required absence of tender and swollen joints plus erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)<or=10 mm/hour; DAS28 score<or=2.85; or achievement of 5 of 7 core criteria for pain, swollen/tender joints, physical function, physician/patient global assessment, and ESR. Time to and time in remission/MDA and response predictors were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier estimates and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, respectively.

RESULTS

A total of 38%, 24%, and 27% of patients achieved remission defined as DAS28<2.6, SDAI<or=3.3, and CDAI<or=2.8, respectively. MDA was observed in 45% of patients by DAS28<or=2.85, in 43% by the core set of criteria, and in 13% by absence of tender/swollen joints plus ESR<or=10 mm/hour. Median times in continuous remission and MDA were 3.4 and 4.4 months, respectively. Predictors for remission (DAS28<2.6) and MDA (DAS28<or=2.85) were male sex; younger age; concomitant disease-modifying antirheumatic drug use; lower baseline DAS28, CRP concentration, and Health Assessment Questionnaire disease index score; <or=1 comorbidity; and tumor necrosis factor antagonist naivety.

CONCLUSION

During adalimumab treatment, 25% of patients experienced clinical remission and nearly half achieved MDA. To our knowledge, this analysis represents the largest prospective clinical trial data set to be assessed using Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Clinical Trials MDA criteria.

Targeted therapy in rheumatoid arthritis

BACKGROUND

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common inflammatory joint disease in adults leading to pain and disability. New drugs, called biologicals, have opened up new possibilities in the treatment of RA.

OBJECTIVE

Targeting pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) or interleukin-1 (IL-1) is well established in clinical care of RA patients. However, lack or loss of clinical response occurs in up to 25% of the patients. New strategies beyond these targets, namely blocking T cells by abatacept or B cells by rituximab (RTX), have been introduced recently.

METHODS

All relevant clinical trials published in peer-reviewed journals are discussed in this article. Data from abstracts presented at congresses have not been included.

CONCLUSION

TNF blocking agents have significantly improved therapy of and outcome in RA patients and, therefore, are still the first choice biologicals for the treatment of RA. Alternatively, abatacept or RTX offer new options in case of inefficacy of or contraindications against anti-TNF therapy. Forthcoming drugs, such as tocilizumab, will extend our armamentarium to treat RA effectively.

Biologic treatments for systemic rheumatic diseases

Many rheumatologic disorders, most notably Sjögren's syndrome, are associated with dental complications and in some cases oral diseases may trigger or drive connective tissue disease. During the past three decades the treatment in rheumatology was revolutionized by the introduction of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases have led to the discovery of critical mechanisms of inflammation and autoimmunity and the invention of new target-specific biologic agents. In this review, we will summarize the current state of biologic therapies in rheumatology and discuss the implications of these on oral health and disease.

Disease remission and sustained halting of radiographic progression with combination etanercept and methotrexate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

The Trial of Etanercept and Methotrexate with Radiographic Patient Outcomes (TEMPO) is a 3-year, double-blind, multicenter study evaluating the efficacy and safety of etanercept, methotrexate, and the combination of etanercept plus methotrexate in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The results after 1 and 2 years of the study have been previously reported. Here we provide the 3-year clinical and radiographic outcomes and safety of etanercept, methotrexate, and the combination in patients with RA.

METHODS

In this randomized, double-blind, multicenter TEMPO study, 682 patients received etanercept 25 mg twice weekly, methotrexate < or =20 mg weekly, or the combination. Key efficacy assessments included the Disease Activity Score (DAS) and the DAS in 28 joints.

RESULTS

Combination therapy resulted in significantly greater improvement in the DAS and in more patients with disease in remission than either monotherapy. This finding was confirmed by longitudinal analysis; patients receiving combination therapy were more than twice as likely to have disease in remission than those receiving either monotherapy. Independent predictors of remission included male sex, lower disease activity, lower level of joint destruction, and/or better physical function. Combination and etanercept therapy both resulted in significantly less radiographic progression than did methotrexate (P < 0.05). Etanercept and combination treatment were well tolerated, with no new safety findings.

CONCLUSION

Etanercept plus methotrexate showed sustained efficacy through 3 years and remained more effective than either monotherapy, even after adjustment for patient withdrawal. Combination therapy for 3 years led to disease remission and inhibition of radiographic progression, 2 key goals for treatment of patients with RA.

The burden of rheumatoid arthritis and access to treatment: a medical overview

As part of the investigation into the burden of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the access to treatment, this article reviews the medical aspects of the disease. RA is mediated by a variety of pathogenic events which culminate in the activation of B-cells, T-cells and other cell populations and lead to secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. These events result in signs and symptoms of active disease, such as pain and swelling, joint damage and disability, the three cornerstones of the clinical expression of RA. Active disease leads to joint damage and both to disability, whereby joint destruction is associated with the irreversible portion of disability. The diagnosis of RA is based on characteristic clinical and laboratory features, however, these may not be obvious in early disease. Therapy aims at interfering with disease activity, ideally leading to remission, as well as at retarding, ideally holding or even healing, joint destruction. This can be achieved by using disease modifying anirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Among the chemical DMARDs, methotrexate is the anchor drug, although there exist many more such agents. Among the biological compounds, TNF-inhibitors have been in use for more than one decade, and co-stimulation blockade and B-cell targeted therapy have been recent additions to the armamentarium. Therapeutic outcome can be predicted by clinical means.

Anti-TNF antibodies: lessons from the past, roadmap for the future

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) is an important cell-signaling component of the immune system. Since its discovery over 20 years ago, much has been learned about its functions under normal and disease conditions. Nonclinical studies suggested a role for TNF in chronic immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, and psoriasis, and therefore neutralizing monoclonal antibodies specific to human TNF were developed for clinical evaluation. Treatment with anti-TNF monoclonal antibodies (infliximab, adalimumab, and certolizumab pegol) has been shown to provide substantial benefit to patients through reductions in both localized and systemic expression of markers associated with inflammation. In addition, there are beneficial effects of anti-TNF treatment on markers of bone and cartilage turnover. Further exploration of changes in these markers and their correlation with clinical measures of efficacy will be required to allow accurate prediction of those patients most in need of these treatments. Both the clinical and commercial experience with these anti-TNF antibodies provide a wealth of information regarding their pharmacological effects in humans.

Early rheumatoid arthritis in a patient with Sjögren's syndrome and pulmonary nodular amyloidosis: clinical implication of early limited use of infliximab

Infliximab, an anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha antibody, is among the most effective therapies for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, we report a patient with early RA of 6 months who has Sjögren's syndrome and pulmonary nodular lesions concomitantly. The patient did not respond to methotrexate (MTX, 6;Smg per week) for 3 months. When introduction of infliximab therapy is considered, we need to exclude the possibility of pulmonary granulomatous infection and malignancy. With the use of computed tomography-guided percutaneous needle biopsy and subsequent histological examinations, this case was rapidly and confidently diagnosed as localized pulmonary nodular amyloidosis. Immunochemical staining showed light chain type nodular amyloidosis by a deposition of immunoglobulin kappa light chains, which is a rare condition in a patient with Sjögren's syndrome. We started combination therapy of infliximab (200;Smg per infusion) and MTX (6;Smg per week). Because of severe systemic eruption, this therapy was stopped halfway through the third infusion of infliximab, and MTX monotherapy was continued. Despite the withdrawal of infliximab therapy, the C-reactive protein values were decreased to an undetectable level at week 14, and the disease activity score for 28 joints was 3.1 at week 22. Clinical remission has been maintained more than 14 months with MTX alone. Infliximab has been used only for patients with recalcitrant RA, because the cost of its lifelong use would be an economic burden in most cases. An optimal and affordable strategy for the treatment of early RA should be developed. Our findings may support the idea that the combination therapy of infliximab and MTX for early RA alters the course of the disease.

Abatacept inhibits progression of structural damage in rheumatoid arthritis: results from the long-term extension of the AIM trial

OBJECTIVE

Assess the effect of abatacept on progression of structural damage over 2 years in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who had an inadequate response to methotrexate.

METHODS

539 patients entered an open-label extension of the AIM (Abatacept in Inadequate responders to Methotrexate) trial and received abatacept. Radiographic assessment of the hands and feet was performed at baseline, year 1 and year 2. At year 2, each patient's radiographs were scored for progression blinded to sequence and treatment allocation.

RESULTS

In patients treated with abatacept for 2 years, greater reduction in progression of structural damage was observed in year 2 than in year 1. The mean change in total Genant-modified Sharp scores was reduced from 1.07 units in year 1 to 0.46 units in year 2. Similar reductions were observed in erosion and joint space narrowing scores. Following 2 years of treatment with abatacept, 50% of patients had no progression of structural damage as defined by a change in the total score of < or =0 compared with baseline. 56% of patients treated with abatacept had no progression during the first year compared with 45% of patients treated with placebo. In their second year of treatment with abatacept, more patients had no progression than in the first year (66% vs 56%).

CONCLUSIONS

Abatacept has a sustained effect that inhibits progression of structural damage. Furthermore, the mean change in radiographic progression in patients treated with abatacept for 2 years was significantly lower in year 2 versus year 1, suggesting that abatacept may have an increasing disease-modifying effect on structural damage over time.

Disease activity early in the course of treatment predicts response to therapy after one year in rheumatoid arthritis patients

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether disease activity levels at treatment initiation or during the first 3 months of therapy predict disease activity at 1 year after treatment initiation.

METHODS

Pooled patient data from early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) clinical trials (n = 1,342) of methotrexate (MTX), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor monotherapy (adalimumab and etanercept), and the combination of the two (adalimumab or infliximab plus MTX) were used for the primary analyses. Pooled data from clinical trials of MTX and of TNF inhibitor plus MTX in late RA (n = 712) were used for validation of the results. Disease activity was primarily assessed using the Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI); in addition, we calculated the Disease Activity Score 28-joint assessment (DAS28) and the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI). Associations of disease activity measures at baseline and at 1, 2, 3, and 6 months with disease activity values or disease activity states at 1 year were performed using Spearman's rank correlation, analysis of variance, and diagnostic testing procedures, including receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses, and probit analysis.

RESULTS

Correlations with SDAI values at end point were significant (P < 0.0001) at baseline, and increased to r = approximately 0.6 at 3 months. The area under the ROC curve indicated a high diagnostic test yield with respect to the 1-year outcome (area under the ROC curve approximately 0.8). At all time points, including baseline, the group of patients who achieved remission at 1 year had lower average SDAI values than did those whose disease activity was high at 1 year. The groups achieving low or moderate disease activities at 1 year had SDAI values lying between. Baseline disease activity was less associated with disease activity at the end point for treatment with TNF inhibitor plus MTX, indicating its effectiveness over a broader range of baseline disease activity, but the association with end point disease activity was similar to that in the MTX treatment group at 1 month after treatment initiation. The data were similar when scores on the DAS28 and CDAI were used and were fully validated in the independent cohort of patients with late RA.

CONCLUSION

The level of disease activity at baseline and especially during the first 3 months of treatment is significantly related to the level of disease activity at 1 year. Patients who reach a moderate or low disease activity status after 3-6 months of therapy may require switching to alternative therapies. Our findings indicate that intensive and dynamic treatment strategies that include a closer look at disease activity at 3 months in patients with early and late RA is warranted.

Tumor necrosis factor as a therapeutic target of rheumatologic disease

TNF-alpha is a crucial pro-inflammatory and immunoregulatory cytokine that is central to the pathogenesis of various inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. A number of controlled trials have shown effectiveness for TNF-alpha inhibitors in several diseases, in particular rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis and Crohn's disease. These agents may also be useful in additional autoimmune conditions. The introduction of TNF-alpha inhibitors has revolutionized the therapeutic approach and treatment paradigms especially for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Despite extensive investigation, the full profile of their mechanisms of action remain incompletely understood. Optimal use of these agents requires consideration of their possible adverse effects. In addition to the presently available TNF-alpha blockers, other agents targeting this key mediator are under study. Recent advances and future directions in anti-TNF-alpha therapy are discussed in this paper.

New therapies for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is characterised by pain, swelling, and destruction of joints, with resultant disability. Only disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs can interfere with the disease process. In the past few years, biological agents, especially inhibitors of tumour necrosis factor, have allowed for hitherto unseen therapeutic benefit, although even with these drugs the frequency and degree of responses are restricted. Therefore, new agents are needed, and three novel biological compounds for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis have already been used in practice or are on the horizon: rituximab (anti-CD20), abatacept (cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 immunoglobulin), and tocilizumab (anti-interleukin 6 receptor). We discuss the targets of these drugs, the roles of these targets in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis, and the efficacy and adverse effects of these agents from clinical trial data. Novel therapeutic strategies in conjunction with optimised disease assessment for better treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and an outlook into potential future targets are also presented.

The Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) and Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) to monitor patients in standard clinical care

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity plays a central role in causing disability both directly and via indirect effects mediated through joint damage, a major sequel of persistent active disease. Evaluation of RA disease activity is therefore important to predict the outcome and effectiveness of therapeutic interventions during follow-up. However, disease activity assessment is among the greatest challenges in the care of patients with RA. We regard measurement of activity as an essential element of following the fate of joint diseases like RA. This evaluation can be facilitated by the use of reduced joint counts and simple indices, such as the Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) and the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI). These scores are validated outcomes for RA and allow the assessment of: actual disease activity, response to therapy, and achievement of particular states such as remission. The simplicity of these scores enables patients to understand the level of their disease activity, as assessed by the rheumatologist, and to correlate increments and decrements of disease activity directly with all aspects of the disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis in the United Arab Emirates

Studies have shown that patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the Middle East have delayed diagnosis and low disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) utilization. We describe the characteristics and treatments of consecutive RA patients presenting to a new musculoskeletal clinic in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Demographic and clinical data were collected over a 10-month period at the first visit to our clinic for patients meeting the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for RA. A total of 100 patients were seen: (average +/- SD) age 42.2 +/- 12.3 years; female 87%; Arabs 38%, Indian 36%, Caucasian and others 26%; 73% rheumatoid-factor positive; years since diagnosis: 3.9 +/- 5.7; lag time between symptom onset to diagnosis 1.2 +/- 1.3 years and lag time to first DMARD was 1.6 +/- 2.0 years. Mean tender joint count was 8.9 +/- 7.9, mean swollen joint count 9.0 +/- 7.6, mean patient's global assessment of disease activity 57.4 +/- 25.0 mm, mean ESR 33 +/- 25 mm/h, mean DAS28 5.2 +/- 1.6, physician global assessment 55.0 +/- 23.8. Only 43% were on DMARDs (25% MTX, 5% TNF blockers). Among the patients who were not on DMARD, only 28.1% had disease duration less than 1 year (p = <0.01). Erosions were present in 55.2% of patients with available X-rays, and deformities in 26% of patients. There were no racial differences in disease characteristics. The UAE has a unique population with many races residing in the country. Among the first 100 consecutive patients seen at our clinic, there were no significant differences in disease characteristics with the majority of the patients having very active disease, delayed diagnosis, and not being treated with DMARDs.

Biologic therapy in the management of extraintestinal manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease

The inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), notably Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are systemic inflammatory diseases primarily involving the gastrointestinal tract. Twenty percent to 40% of patients with IBD develop extraintestinal inflammation and symptoms, known as extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs).1-7 The most common EIMs affect the joints, skin, eyes, and biliary tract. The EIMs associated with IBD bear a negative impact on patients with UC and CD. Thus, the successful treatment of EIMs is essential for improving the quality of life of IBD patients. For most EIMs, their resolution often parallels that of the active IBD in both timing and therapy required. However, some EIM such as axial arthritis, pyoderma gangrenosum, uveitis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis run a clinical course independent of IBD disease activity. The advent of biologic response modifiers, e.g., tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) inhibitors, has improved the treatment of IBD and its associated EIMs. This article reviews the therapeutic experiences of the 2 most widely used anti-TNF neutralizing antibodies, infliximab and adalimumab, for immune-mediated EIM of IBD.

Tumor necrosis factor antagonist mechanisms of action: a comprehensive review

During the past 30 years, elucidation of the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis at the cellular and molecular levels has revealed that these diseases share common mechanisms and are more closely related than was previously recognized. Research on the complex biology of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) has uncovered many mechanisms and pathways by which TNF may be involved in the pathogenesis of these diseases. There are 3 TNF antagonists currently available: adalimumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody; etanercept, a soluble receptor construct; and infliximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody. Two other TNF antagonists, certolizumab and golimumab, are in clinical development. The remarkable efficacy of TNF antagonists in these diseases places TNF in the center of our understanding of the pathogenesis of many immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. The purpose of this review is to discuss the biology of TNF and related family members in the context of the potential mechanisms of action of TNF antagonists in a variety of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Possible mechanistic differences between TNF antagonists are addressed with regard to their efficacy and safety profiles.

TNFalpha blockade in human diseases: an overview of efficacy and safety

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) antagonists including antibodies and soluble receptors have shown remarkable efficacy in various immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID). As experience with these agents has matured, there is an emerging need to integrate and critically assess the utility of these agents across disease states and clinical sub-specialties. Their remarkable efficacy in reducing chronic damage in Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis has led many investigators to propose a new, 'top down' paradigm for treating patients initially with aggressive regimens to quickly control disease. Intriguingly, in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and asthma, anti-TNFalpha agents appear to more profoundly benefit patients with more chronic stages of disease but have a relatively weaker or little effect in early disease. While the spectrum of therapeutic efficacy of TNFalpha antagonists widens to include diseases such as recalcitrant uveitis and vasculitis, these agents have failed or even exacerbated diseases such as heart failure and multiple sclerosis. Increasing use of these agents has also led to recognition of new toxicities as well as to understanding of their excellent long-term tolerability. Disconcertingly, new cases of active tuberculosis still occur in patients treated with all TNFalpha antagonists due to lack of compliance with recommendations to prevent reactivation of latent tuberculosis infection. These safety issues as well as guidelines to prevent treatment-associated complications are reviewed in detail in this article. New data on mechanisms of action and development of newer TNFalpha antagonists are discussed in a subsequent article in the Journal. It is hoped that these two review articles will stimulate a fresh assessment of the priorities for research and clinical innovation to improve and extend therapeutic use and safety of TNFalpha antagonism.

Rituximab for refractory rheumatoid arthritis: a 24-week open-label prospective study

Objectives

To study the efficacy of rituximab in active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients refractory to disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) including the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α antagonists.

Methods

Adult patients with active RA despite adequate therapies with conventional DMARDs or anti-TNFα agents for at least 3 months were recruited. Inclusion criteria were: (1) Positive RF / anti-CCP; (2) ≥ 6 swollen joints and ≥ 8 tender joints; (3) ESR ≥ 28 mm/hr or CRP ≥ 10 mg/L. Eligible patients were given intravenous rituximab infusions at a dose of 1000 mg on days 1 and 15. Assessment was performed 4-weekly thereafter and included tender joint counts (TJC), swollen joint counts (SJC), physician’s and patient’s global assessment, patient’s pain assessment (VAS 0-100 mm), disability index (HAQ-DI), quality of life (SF36), fatigue score (FACIT-F), ESR and CRP. The DAS28, EULAR and ACR responses at week 24 were evaluated.

Results

10 patients (8 women and 2 men) were studied (mean age: 49 years; mean RA duration 7.4 years). Baseline TJC and SJC were 25.1 ± 13.2 and 12.8 ± 5.4 respectively. The mean DAS28 score was 7.1 ± 0.7, and the mean CRP and ESR levels were 52.3 ± 60 mg/L and 95.8 ± 32 mm/hr, respectively. The median number of failed DMARDs was 4 and two patients had failed anti-TNFα treatment. At week 24, there was a significant drop in TJC, SJC, ESR and CRP. The HAQ-DI score also decreased from 2.1 to 1.7 (p=0.04) while the total SF-36 score improved from 24.8 to 38.3 (p=0.008). Sixty percent of patients achieved EULAR moderate-to-good response. Half of the patients achieved ACR20 and two achieved ACR50 / 70 response. Only one patient experienced a minor infusion reaction.

Conclusions

Rituximab is effective and well tolerated in patients with refractory RA.

The use of TNF-alpha blocking agents in rheumatoid arthritis: an update

TNF-alpha has been found to play a pivotal role in the pathogenic mechanisms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Drugs targeting TNF-alpha have been developed to neutralise the deleterious effects of this inflammatory cytokine. There are, at present, three drugs available for the treatment of RA patients with active disease who are refractory to conventional treatments including methotrexate: 2 monoclonal antibodies, infliximab and adalimumab, and a fusion protein with p75 receptors, etanercept. These three agents have proved to be effective and safe in large placebo-controlled trials enrolling patients with established or early disease and showed effectiveness in controlling signs and symptoms of the disease, improving quality of life and in slowing and even arresting the progression of radiographic damage. With the long-term surveillance of these drugs were described serious adverse events, particularly infections such as tuberculosis, especially with infliximab. The risk for malignancies under TNF-alpha antagonists, especially lymphoma, remains controversial. Specific recommendations are given by international experts for selecting and monitoring RA patients with TNF-alpha antagonists. Other drugs targeting TNF-alpha such as PEGylated molecules (CDP870 or certolizumab) are in development. These new biological therapies blocking TNF-alpha undoubtedly constitute a considerable advancement in the management of RA, but careful evaluation at the initiation of the treatment and long-term surveillance of the patients receiving such drugs remains necessary.

Infliximab and methotrexate as induction therapy in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of infliximab plus methotrexate (MTX) as induction therapy in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)-naive patients with active, early RA who were included as group 4 of the BeSt study were initially treated with infliximab (3 mg/kg) in combination with MTX (25 mg/week). The Disease Activity Score (DAS) was measured every 3 months. In patients with persistent low disease activity (DAS <or=2.4) for at least 6 months, the infliximab dosage was tapered and finally discontinued; the MTX dosage then was tapered to 10 mg/week. In patients with a DAS of >2.4, the infliximab dosage was increased (maximum 10 mg/kg), and they were subsequently switched to another DMARD. Except for intraarticular administration, corticosteroids were not permitted. Functional ability and the modified Sharp/van der Heijde score were determined after 2 years of therapy.

RESULTS

Of the 120 patients, 67 responders (56%) had persistent low disease activity and discontinued infliximab after a median of 9.9 months, with a median MTX dosage of 10 mg/week after 2 years. Ten other patients experienced a disease flare after discontinuation and resumed infliximab after a median of 3.7 months. Thirteen patients did not achieve persistent low disease activity and received infliximab at various dosages. Treatment was unsuccessful in 30 patients. In the 67 responders, the progression of joint damage was lower than in the 30 patients in whom treatment failed.

CONCLUSION

Fifty-six percent of patients with active early RA, initially treated with infliximab plus MTX, could discontinue infliximab after achieving a DAS of <or=2.4. Low disease activity was maintained in these patients while the MTX dosage was tapered to 10 mg/week.

Rheumatoid arthritis

This article reviews rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic disease that primarily targets the joints, its treatment and antirheumatic drugs.

Design and synthesis of 3,3-piperidine hydroxamate analogs as selective TACE inhibitors

Structure-based methods were used to design beta-sulfone 3,3-piperidine hydroxamates as TACE inhibitors with the aim of improving selectivity for TACE versus MMP-13. Several compounds in this series were synthesized and evaluated in enzymatic and cell-based assays. These analogs exhibit excellent in vitro potency against isolated TACE enzyme and show good selectivity for TACE over the related metalloproteases MMP-2, -13, and -14.

The ESPOIR cohort: a ten-year follow-up of early arthritis in France: methodology and baseline characteristics of the 813 included patients

OBJECTIVES

The French Society of Rheumatology initiated a large national multicenter, longitudinal and prospective cohort, the so-called "ESPOIR cohort study" in order to set up databases to allow various investigations on diagnosis, prognostic markers, epidemiology, pathogenesis and medico-economic factors in the field of early arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

METHODS

Patients were recruited if they had undifferentiated arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, of less than 6 months disease duration and if they were DMARD and steroids naïve. Patients have then to be followed every 6 months during the first 2 years then every year during at least 10 years. Clinical, biological, radiographic and medico-economic databases have been constituted to fit in the different objectives of the project and more than 20 scientific studies have already been accepted by the scientific committee.

RESULTS

813 patients were included (76.75% were female). The mean age was 48.07+/-12.55 years. The mean delay from the onset of symptoms to referral to the rheumatologist was 74.8+/-76.6 days. Baseline swollen and tender joint counts were 7.19+/-5.37 and 8.43+/-7.01; DAS28 score was 5.11+/-1.31. CRP was abnormal in 38.9% of the patients; 44.2%, 45.8% and 38.8% had respectively IgM rheumatoid factor (RF), IgA RF and anti-CCP antibodies. HLA DRB1*01 or 04 genes were found in 56.7% of them. Finally, 22% of these patients had erosions on hand or feet at baseline.

New antirheumatic drugs: any real added value? A critical overview of regulatory criteria for their marketing approval

OBJECTIVE

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disorder causing chronic polyarticular synovial inflammation and progressive joint damage. New anti-rheumatic drugs, such as leflunomide, infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab and anakinra, have recently become available. The aim of this paper is to summarize and critically evaluate the type of studies and clinical endpoints accepted by the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) to approve these new drugs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Information regarding the approval of antirheumatic drugs was obtained from European Public Assessment Reports (EPARs) and published pivotal studies.

RESULTS

Leflunomide is the only non-biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) to receive recent approval for RA treatment, but strong evidence of its superiority over conventional therapies is lacking. Anakinra in combination with methotrexate received approval as a DMARD for RA on the basis of two pivotal trials in which American College of Rheumatology response criteria (ACR 20 response) were used as the sole primary endpoint. For easier demonstration of efficacy, studies leading to first approval of etanercept, infliximab and adalimumab were carried out on non-responders to DMARDs. Once on the market, these drugs gained an extension of the indication to methotrexate-naïve patients. Studies that provided the basis for approval were not adequately designed, given the lack of an active control and the choice of ACR response as the only clinical endpoint. Consequently, only a weak proof of efficacy emerged for the treatment of signs and symptoms of RA, and these drugs failed to show real benefit in slowing radiographic progression. Serious infections, changes in blood cell counts, severe skin and hepatic infections were the main adverse events that emerged from the clinical studies. Therefore, the unconvincing benefit of the new antirheumatic drugs can scarcely outweigh the risk associated with their use. Moreover, the monthly costs in Italy of the new biological preparations are several fold higher than those of the reference drugs.

CONCLUSIONS

Recently approved anti-RA products should be a therapeutic option only for patients refractory to conventional drugs.

Anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha therapy and the risk of serious bacterial infections in elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between the initiation of anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNFalpha) therapy and the risk of serious bacterial infections in routine care.

METHODS

This was a cohort study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in whom specific disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) were initiated. Patients were Medicare beneficiaries ages 65 years and older (mean age 76.5 years) who were concurrently enrolled in the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly provided by the state of Pennsylvania. A total of 15,597 RA patients in whom a DMARD was initiated between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 2003 were identified using linked data on all prescription drug dispensings, physician services, and hospitalizations. Initiation of anti-TNFalpha therapy, cytotoxic agents other than methotrexate (MTX), noncytotoxic agents, and glucocorticoids was compared with initiation of MTX. The main outcome measure was serious bacterial infections that required hospitalization.

RESULTS

The incidence of serious bacterial infections was, on average, 2.2 per 100 patient-years in this population (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 2.0-2.4). Glucocorticoid use doubled the rate of serious bacterial infections as compared with MTX use, independent of previous DMARD use (rate ratio [RR] 2.1 [95% CI 1.5-3.1]), with a clear dose-response relationship for dosages >5 mg/day (for < or = 5 mg/day, RR 1.34; for 6-9 mg/day, RR 1.53; for 10-19 mg/day, RR 2.97; and for > or = 20 mg/day, RR 5.48 [P for trend < 0.0001]). Adjusted models showed no increase in the rate of serious infections among initiators of anti-TNFalpha therapy (RR 1.0 [95% CI 0.6-1.7]) or other DMARDs as compared with initiators of MTX.

CONCLUSION

In a large cohort of patients with RA, we found no increase in serious bacterial infections among users of anti-TNFalpha therapy compared with users of MTX. Glucocorticoid use was associated with a dose-dependent increase in such infections.

Biological therapies in inflammatory bowel disease: top-down or bottom-up?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Conventional therapeutic algorithms cannot, or only to a certain degree, prevent surgery or complications in inflammatory bowel disease. The new concept of early aggressive or 'top-down' treatment has evolved from the impressive results of new biological agents in the treatment of patients who were refractory to standard therapy. New data, suggesting that this strategy may be advantageous, has recently been published.

RECENT FINDINGS

In uncontrolled studies, early administration of azathioprine as well as infliximab has been shown to be associated with a prolonged maintenance of remission in Crohn's disease patients. The recently presented preliminary data from a controlled study comparing early administration of infliximab and azathioprine ('top-down' therapy) versus conventional 'step-up' therapy showed superior mucosal healing, a more rapid remission and higher remission rates in patients in the top-down treatment arm. The ongoing SONIC study, which compares infliximab therapy with and without azathioprine, will provide additional information regarding the relative importance of both drugs in this respect.

SUMMARY

The significance of top-down treatment remains to be confirmed in prospective clinical studies aimed at high-risk patients. The standard use of this approach cannot be advocated presently.

Osteochondral repair in synovial joints

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

One of the major challenges in rheumatology remains the induction of osteochondral repair in synovial joints. Remarkable progress has been made in controlling the inflammatory pathways of chronic synovitis and tissue damage in rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthropathy. Here, we provide an overview of the current knowledge on the mechanisms involved in osteochondral repair in degenerative joint diseases, as well as in immune mediated inflammatory arthritides, with special emphasis on tumor necrosis factor alpha and IL-1.

RECENT FINDINGS

Homeostasis of articular cartilage and subchondral bone are essential for maintaining the integrity of osteochondral structures within synovial joints. This is achieved by the regulation of a delicate balance between anabolic and catabolic signals. In articular cartilage one cell type, the chondrocyte, is responsible for regulation of homeostasis. In bone, however, two distinct cell types, osteoblasts and osteoclasts, are responsible for anabolic and catabolic pathways, respectively. In inflammatory joint disorders, this tight regulation is profoundly dysregulated, with tumor necrosis factor alpha acting as an important catalyst of a disturbed homeostasis, together with IL-1. Targeting these cytokines may restore the intrinsic repair capacity of osteochondral structures.

SUMMARY

To restore catabolic cytokine balances appears to be a suitable strategy to promote osteochondral repair.

Early rheumatoid arthritis: strategies for prevention and management

The treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has changed considerably in the past few years since new tools and new concepts have been developed and validated highlighting the need for guidelines focused on early RA. The treatment goal should now be to achieve clinical remission, in order to prevent structural damage and long-term disability. A very early use of effective disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) is a key point in patients at risk of developing persistent and erosive arthritis. Intensive treatment such as combination DMARDs plus steroids or biological therapies can induce a high rate of remission, control of radiological progression and provide better outcome than DMARD monotherapy in early RA and should be considered in at risk patients. Regarding the risk:benefit ratio and the cost-effectiveness of these strategies, a reasonable course of action in early RA should be initial DMARD monotherapy such as methotrexate. However, a close monitoring of disease activity and radiographic progression is mandatory in order to change DMARD therapy and strategy if necessary. Systemic glucocorticoids are effective in the short-term relief of pain and swelling and should be considered, but mainly as a temporary therapy part of the DMARD strategy. Information and education for patients, as well as some non-pharmacological interventions, can be proposed as treatment adjuncts. Finally, the reduction or stopping of smoking, which could prevent the development and progression of early RA, is the only prevention tool currently available.

[Measuring disease activity for rheumatoid arthritis]

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common systemic inflammatory joint disease. It can be treated effectively with disease modifying antirheumatic drugs, and the currently propagated treatment strategy is to treat RA consequently, and revise the therapeutic approach frequently on the basis of proper disease activity evaluation. In the current review, we focus on the instruments and measures used in the assessment of RA disease activity. We will first consider the so-called core set measures of activity, prividing comprehensive overviews on joint count scales, global scales, pain scales, biomarkers, and functional assessment instruments. The second part of the review focuses on the value of composite measures of disease activity; a term under which we subsume activity indices using various formulae, self-assessment tools of disease activity, and response criteria. Among the inflammatory rheumatic diseases, RA is the one for which the most intensive research is done, and usually instruments that work for RA are further tested for other joint diseases. However, there is still a research agenda for the assessment of disease activity, even for RA. One important aspect is to assess the reliability and utility of all available instruments, including the very low end of disease activity, since remission has become an achievable goal. Another focus of disease activity assessment is to derive measures that work in clinical trials and in daily practice, but are also well understood by patients and physicians. This will further improve our ability to care for patients with RA consequently.

Evidence-based review of biologic markers as indicators of disease progression and remission in rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory disease characterised by inflammation resulting in structural joint damage and functional disability. Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) is a pivotal mediator and driver of inflammation in RA. Inflammation is closely related to the production of C-reactive protein (CRP), and a close correlation exists between serum CRP and TNFalpha levels. CRP levels are therefore a convenient, objective biomarker of disease activity. CRP correlates closely with changes in inflammation/disease activity, radiological damage and progression and functional disability. Identification of TNFalpha as a driver of RA progression has led to the introduction of TNFalpha-blocking agents and, subsequently, improvement of disease management. TNFalpha-blocking agents provide rapid, profound and sustained suppression of disease activity in correspondence with a marked reduction in CRP levels. A reduction in CRP level correlates closely with the positive clinical response to TNFalpha-blocking therapy. Thus, CRP levels can be used to predict, assess and monitor response to treatment with TNFalpha-blocking agents, and may be helpful in determining the optimal TNFalpha-blocker dosage. Given the close correlation between inflammation and disease progression and the relation between inflammation and CRP, the latter, if used effectively in clinical practice, may be means to identify patients likely to progress rapidly and who require intensive anti-TNFalpha therapy. The purpose of this review is to identify how CRP levels may be useful for monitoring the effect of therapy on halting disease progression and why monitoring CRP levels at baseline and after treatment should become a routine part of clinical practice.

Overwhelming Parasitemia with Plasmodium falciparum Infection in a Patient Receiving Infliximab Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis

We describe a 45-year-old woman receiving infliximab therapy for rheumatoid arthritis who developed an overwhelming Plasmodium falciparum infection with cerebral malaria. Physicians should be aware that patients receiving tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, such as infliximab, may be at increased risk of life-threatening malarial infections.

Low-dose glucocorticoid therapy decreases risk for treatment-limiting infusion reaction to infliximab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Treatment-limiting infusion reactions to infliximab have not been fully explained in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Our main objective is to investigate the role of daily oral glucocorticoids use on such reactions.

METHOD

Forty-three patients with immediate-type infusion reactions were identified in a large registry-based cohort. These patients were then compared with the entire cohort (n = 639) and, in a separate analysis, to a nested matched control group (n = 43). The following base-line variables were compared: use of oral glucocorticoids, health-assessment questionnaire, 28-joint count-based disease activity score, duration of disease and number of failed disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.

RESULTS

The proportion of infusions associated with infusion reactions decreased significantly during the study period (p = 0.0024). Fifty per cent of the patients in the cohort were treated with daily low-dose glucocorticoids at baseline. 15/326 (4.6%) patients had an infusion reaction as compared with 28/324 (8.6%) of patients without glucocorticoid treatment (p = 0.057). In the matched comparison, 15/43 (35%) of the cases were on low-dose glucocorticoids as compared with 27/43 (64%) of the controls (p = 0.017). The use of low-dose glucocorticoids was associated with a significantly lower risk for a treatment-limiting infusion reactions in a Kaplan-Meier analysis (p = 0.04). The number needed to treat to prevent a treatment-limiting infusion reaction was 25 (95% CI: 13 to 527) in the cohort.

CONCLUSION

The use of daily low-dose glucocorticoids is associated with a lower risk for treatment-limiting infusion reactions to infliximab. Overall, treatment-limiting infusion reactions have become significantly less common during the past 5 years.

Risk of serious bacterial infections among rheumatoid arthritis patients exposed to tumor necrosis factor alpha antagonists

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the risk of serious bacterial infections associated with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) antagonists among rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of US RA patients enrolled in a large health care organization identified patients who received either TNFalpha antagonists or methotrexate (MTX). Administrative data were used to identify hospitalizations with possible bacterial infections; corresponding medical records were abstracted and reviewed by infectious disease specialists for evidence of definite infections. Proportional hazards models evaluated time-dependent infection risks associated with TNFalpha antagonists.

RESULTS

Hospital medical records with claims-identified suspected bacterial infections were abstracted (n=187) among RA patients who received TNFalpha antagonists (n=2,393; observation time 3,894 person-years) or MTX (n=2,933; 4,846 person-years). Over a median followup time of 17 months, the rate of hospitalization with a confirmed bacterial infection was 2.7% among the patients treated with TNFalpha antagonists compared with 2.0% among the patients treated with MTX only. The multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of infection among the patients who received TNFalpha antagonists was 1.9 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.3-2.8) compared with patients who received MTX only. The incidence of infections was highest within 6 months after initiating TNFalpha antagonist therapy (2.9 versus 1.4 infections per 100 person-years; multivariable-adjusted HR 4.2, 95% CI 2.0-8.8).

CONCLUSION

The multivariable-adjusted risk of hospitalization with a physician-confirmed definite bacterial infection was approximately 2-fold higher overall and 4-fold higher in the first 6 months among patients receiving TNFalpha antagonists versus those receiving MTX alone. RA patients were at increased risk of serious infections, irrespective of the method used to define an infectious outcome. Patients and physicians should vigilantly monitor for signs of infection when using TNFalpha antagonists, particularly shortly after treatment initiation.

A retrospective analysis of low-field strength magnetic resonance imaging and the management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

To assess how in-office magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the hand/wrist or feet are utilized in a rheumatology practice to make clinical evaluations regarding therapeutic options for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

METHODS

In a large clinical practice, a retrospective review was conducted on the first 300 RA patients who had office-based MRI scans at baseline. Information was collected on demographics, baseline therapy, and whether any change in therapy occurred at the time of the MRI scans. MR images of the affected wrist were obtained with a low-field strength dedicated extremity unit.

RESULTS

Of the 300 patients, 99 patients (33%) had MRIs that exhibited signs of erosions, joint space narrowing, or bone edema. These patients were classified as MRI-positive. The remaining 201 patients (67%) were classified as MRI-negative. A substantial majority (85%) of MRI-positive patients received a change in their therapeutic regimen, compared with only 9.5% of the MRI-negative patients (p < 0.001). In the 84 MRI-positive patients who had their therapy changed, 65% received a new prescription for a biologic or an increase in the dose of their existing biologic and 34% of the MRI-positive patients received a DMARD. In the 19 MRI-negative patients with a therapeutic change, 11% received a biologic agent and 88% received a DMARD. The major limitation of this study is that it was a retrospective analysis and the assessments of MRI findings were qualitative.

CONCLUSION

In this large population of RA patients, there was an association between MRI detection of joint space narrowing, erosions, and/or bone edema and change in therapeutic management.

Serious infections with antirheumatic therapy: are biologicals worse?

This paper reviews the current evidence for the role of antirheumatic therapy in the development of serious infections in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Prednisone is clearly associated with increased infectious risk, but no definitive data link methotrexate to infection. Emerging data suggest that biological agents also pose increase infectious risk, particularly when used in combination with corticosteroids or methotrexate. Further research is needed in this important aspect of RA treatment. In the meantime, the author recommends that physicians should remain vigilant for serious infections in their patients with RA and use appropriate vaccines and screening procedures to mitigate their risk.