Anti-TNF therapy in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis: the Finnish experience

Efficacy and NSAID-sparing effect of secukinumab 150 mg in ankylosing spondylitis: results from phase IV ASTRUM study

Background

Radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (r-axSpA), formerly known as ankylosing spondylitis (AS), is a chronic, inflammatory rheumatic disease associated with symptoms such as inflammatory back pain, morning stiffness, and arthritis. First-line recommendations for patients with AS include treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for reducing pain and stiffness.

Objectives

The objective of our study is to evaluate the efficacy and short-term NSAID-sparing effect of secukinumab in patients with AS currently treated with NSAIDs.

Design

We assessed the clinical Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS20) response to secukinumab and evaluated the extent to which the use of concomitant NSAID can be reduced between weeks 4 and 12 in r-axSpA patients treated with secukinumab 150 mg compared with placebo.

Methods

ASTRUM was a prospective 24-week randomized controlled trial of adult patients with active r-axSpA [Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) ⩾4] who had a documented inadequate response to ⩾2 NSAIDs. Patients were randomized (1:1:1) to initiate treatment with subcutaneous secukinumab 150 mg from either week 0 (group 1), week 4 (group 2), or week 16 (group 3). From week 4 onward, tapering of NSAIDs was allowed in all groups.

Results

This study included 211 patients (n = 71, 70, and 70 in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively). ASAS20 response at week 12 for pooled groups 1 and 2 versus group 3 was 51.1% versus 44.3% (p = 0.35). A higher proportion of patients in groups 1 and 2 achieved ASAS40 and BASDAI50 and showed improvements in other secondary clinical outcomes as compared to group 3 at week 16. More patients in groups 1 and 2 versus group 3 stopped their NSAID intake from baseline through week 16.

Conclusion

Treatment with secukinumab improved clinical outcomes and showed a short-term NSAID-sparing effect in patients with r-axSpA, even though the primary endpoint was not met.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT02763046, EudraCT 2015-004575-74.

Drug survival of tumor necrosis factor α inhibitors in patients with ankylosing spondylitis in Korea

BACKGROUND/AIMS

To evaluate drug survival of the tumor necrosis factor α inhibitors (TNFi) and risk factors for the drug discontinuation in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated 487 AS patients at a single tertiary hospital. Among the TNFi users, drug survival and risk factors of TNFi discontinuation were investigated.

RESULTS

Among 487 patients, 128 AS patients were treated with at least one TNFi. Patients who were treated with TNFi were younger at disease onset, had more peripheral manifestations, and had higher level of acute phase reactants and body mass index than those of TNFi non-users at baseline. Of 128 patients, 28 patients (21.9%) discontinued first TNFi therapy during the follow-up period of 65.1 ± 27.9 months. In the multivariable analysis, female (hazard ratio [HR], 6.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.27 to 16.27; p = 0.003), hip involvement (HR, 2.52; 95% CI, 1.08 to 5.87; p = 0.033) and a high C-reactive protein (CRP; HR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.21; p = 0.044) were risk factors for drug discontinuation. Etanercept showed better survival rate than infliximab. The main reason for discontinuation of TNFi was inefficacy.

CONCLUSIONS

TNFi discontinuation rate of Korean patients with AS seems to be similar to those with the European patients. Female sex, hip involvement, CRP, and the type of TNFi were associated with TNFi discontinuation.

Effectiveness and Drug Survival of TNF Inhibitors in the Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Prospective Cohort Study

Objective.

The aim of this research was to describe the effectiveness and drug survival of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and to analyze the effect of concomitant treatment with conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.

Methods.

Patients with AS identified from the National Register for Biologic Treatment in Finland starting their first TNF inhibitor treatment between July 2004 and December 2011 were included. Treatment response was measured as an improvement of 50% (or 20 mm) after 6 months of treatment onset compared to the baseline Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) score. Treatment response and 2-year drug survival were modeled with logistic regression and time-dependent Cox proportional hazard models, respectively.

Results.

The study comprised 543 patients, of whom 123 also commenced a second TNF inhibitor during the followup. Treatment was discontinued within 24 months by 25% and 28% of the users of the first and the second TNF inhibitors, respectively. BASDAI response at 6 months was achieved by 52% and 25% of the users of the first and the second TNF inhibitors, respectively. Etanercept (ETN; HR 0.42, 95% CI 0.29–0.62) and adalimumab (ADA; HR 0.48, 95% CI 0.30–0.77) were associated with better drug survival in comparison to infliximab (IFX). Also, concurrent use of sulfasalazine (SSZ; HR 0.70, 95% CI 0.49–0.99) decreased the hazard for treatment discontinuation.

Conclusion.

TNF inhibitors are equipotent in the treatment of AS; however, ETN and ADA were found superior to IFX in drug survival. The use of SSZ improves treatment continuation.

Survival of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs used as the first antirheumatic medication in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis in Finland. A nationwide population-based register study

The tight national drug reimbursement regulations in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in Finland lead to the practice that at least one traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD), if not contraindicated, has been tried and has failed before a patient can be eligible for reimbursement of anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) treatment. The aim of the present study is to evaluate drug survival of the firstly prescribed DMARDs in patients with AS. All AS patients from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2007 were collected from the nationwide drug reimbursement registry maintained by the Social Insurance Institution (SII). Data on antirheumatic medication came from the prescription registry of SII. A total of 2,890 AS patients (60 % males) were identified. Sulfasalazine (SSA) monotherapy was the most common first antirheumatic treatment (2,319 patients, 87 %), followed by methotrexate (MTX) monotherapy (230 patients, 9 %) and by hydroxychloroquine monotherapy (77 patients, 3 %). A combination of two or more DMARDs was used by 44 patients (2 %). Only seven patients (0.3 %) had biological (etanercept or adalimumab) started as the first antirheumatic drug. Median survival time of SSA monotherapy was 4.5 years (95 % CI 4.2 to 4.8) and that of MTX was 1.9 years (95 % CI 1.5 to 2.1). SSA is almost the standard as the first antirheumatic treatment of AS in Finland. Although the clinical efficiency of SSA was not evaluable in the present study, these data suggest that the use of SSA can at least postpone the need and start of TNF inhibitors with marked economic consequences.

Anti-TNF Therapy in Ankylosing Spondylitis: Insights for the Clinician

The introduction of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-blocking therapy has revolutionized the management of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) over the last decade. This review highlights the current evidence relating to the use of TNF-blocking therapy in AS. International guidelines for the use of TNF blockers in AS are summarized. An outline of the evidence for efficacy and safety of these drugs is included, highlighting recent data from registries and real-life observational studies. Such cohort data is also reviewed highlighting the evidence for 'switching' TNF blockers in AS in the case of non-response or adverse events. The potential new application of TNF blockers in preradiographic axial spondyloarthropathy (SpA) or 'early AS' is discussed with reviews of two recent studies in this area. Finally research into the possible additional impacts of TNF therapies is reviewed. The question of whether TNF blockers are truly disease modifying in AS remains unanswered with conflicting reports. The additional burden of AS in terms of cardiovascular disease is now becoming understood. Recent data from basic science studies highlights the potential impact of TNF blockers on this excess cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Future studies and registry data will be able to assess whether TNF blockers have an additional role in controlling systemic inflammation and its associated cardiovascular risk.

Baseline predictors of response and discontinuation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha blocking therapy in ankylosing spondylitis: a prospective longitudinal observational cohort study

Introduction

Identifying ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients who are likely to benefit from tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) blocking therapy is important, especially in view of the costs and potential side effects of these agents. Recently, the AS Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) has been developed to assess both subjective and objective aspects of AS disease activity. However, data about the predictive value of the ASDAS with respect to clinical response to TNF-α blocking therapy are lacking. The aim of the present study was to identify baseline predictors of response and discontinuation of TNF-α blocking therapy in AS patients in daily clinical practice.

Methods

AS outpatients who started TNF-α blocking therapy were included in the Groningen Leeuwarden Ankylosing Spondylitis (GLAS) study, an ongoing prospective longitudinal observational cohort study with follow-up visits according to a fixed protocol. For the present analysis, patients were excluded if they had previously received anti-TNF-α treatment. Predictor analyses of response and treatment discontinuation were performed using logistic and Cox regression models, respectively.

Results

Between November 2004 and April 2010, 220 patients started treatment with infliximab (n = 32), etanercept (n = 137), or adalimumab (n = 51). At three and six months, 68% and 63% of patients were Assessments in Ankylosing Spondylitis (ASAS)20 responders, 49% and 46% ASAS40 responders, and 49% and 50% Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI)50 responders, respectively. Baseline predictors of response were younger age, male gender, higher ASDAS score, higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) level, higher C-reactive protein (CRP) level, presence of peripheral arthritis, higher patient's global assessment of disease activity, and lower modified Schober test. In August 2010, 64% of patients were still using their TNF-α blocking agent with a median follow-up of 33.1 months (range 2.4 to 68.2). Baseline predictors of discontinuation of TNF-α blocking therapy were female gender, absence of peripheral arthritis, higher BASDAI, lower ESR level, and lower CRP level.

Conclusions

Besides younger age and male gender, objective variables such as higher inflammatory markers or ASDAS score were identified as independent baseline predictors of response and/or continuation of TNF-α blocking therapy. In contrast, higher baseline BASDAI score was independently associated with treatment discontinuation. Based on these results, it seems clinically relevant to include more objective variables in the evaluation of anti-TNF-α treatment.

Outcomes of switching anti-TNF drugs in rheumatoid arthritis--a study based on observational data from the Finnish Register of Biological Treatment (ROB-FIN)

The aim of this study was to assess, based on observational data from the Finnish Register of Biological Treatment, the outcomes of switching an initial tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker to another in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA patients, who started biological therapy with a TNF blocker between May 1999 and April 2009 and who switched to another TNF blocker, were studied (n=479). The outcomes were assessed according to the reason for and type of the switch. Outcome assessments included American College of Rheumatology 50 responder index (ACR50) response at 3 months after the switch, treatment duration of the second TNF blocker, and swollen joint counts, CRP and DAS28 score at the 3 months, best and last observations of the first and second TNF blocker, respectively. In those who switched due to lack of effectiveness (LOE), the disease activity parameters fell significantly from baseline upon use of infliximab or adalimumab, but had increased prior to the switch. Switching to another TNF blocker (etanercept or adalimumab) restored the response initially achieved with the first TNF blocker. The disease activity parameters fell significantly from baseline upon use of etanercept, and were maintained but not further improved after switching to adalimumab. TNF blocker switching seemed to be most beneficial in secondary LOE (defined as loss of ACR50 response). In those who switched due to adverse events (AE) or other reasons, a similar degree of response as had been achieved with the first agent was also achieved and maintained with the second agent. The results suggest that a second TNF blocker can restore the response in cases of secondary LOE and maintain it after switching due to an AE.

Biological Therapy for Psoriatic Arthritis in Clinical Practice: Outcomes Up to 2 Years

Objective.

To evaluate the performance of biological drugs in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in a routine care setting, using the Finnish national register of biological treatment (ROB-FIN).

Methods.

Patients with PsA who started therapy with infliximab or etanercept between June 2000 and February 2006 (n = 127) were followed for up to 24 months. Response was evaluated using American College of Rheumatology response criteria including individual measures.

Results.

Significantly diminished values for swollen and tender joints, patient’s global and pain assessments, doctor’s global assessment of disease activity, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and Health Assessment Questionnaire score were observed within 3 months after commencement of both infliximab and etanercept. Values remained significantly lower throughout the 24 months of followup. ACR20 response at 3 months was 79% (n = 22/28) for infliximab and 76% (n = 34/45) for etanercept. The first biological drug was discontinued in 16% due to lack of effectiveness and in 6% due to adverse events.

Conclusion.

Anti-tumor necrosis factor-α therapy, often combined with conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, appeared to have limited toxicity and persistent effectiveness for up to 2 years in a cohort of Finnish patients with severe peripheral PsA.

Predictors of response to anti-TNF therapy in ankylosing spondylitis: results from the British Society for Rheumatology Biologics Register

Objective. Few data exist on the use of anti-TNF drugs for AS during routine clinical use in the UK. This report describes an improvement in Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) after 6 months of therapy in 261 patients enrolled in a national prospective observational register.

Methods. The British Society for Rheumatology Biologics Register (BSRBR) recruited patients starting anti-TNF therapy for AS between 2002 and 2006. Multivariable linear regression models were used to estimate the predictors of absolute improvement in BASDAI and BASFI at 6 months. Covariates included age, gender, disease duration, baseline BASDAI and BASFI, presence of raised inflammatory markers (defined as twice the upper limit of normal) and DMARD therapy.

Results. The cohort was young (median age 43 years) and 82% were males. Median baseline BASDAI was 7.6 and BASFI 7.9. At 6 months, the mean improvements in BASDAI and BASFI were 3.6 and 2.6 U, respectively; 52% reached a BASDAI50. Patients with raised inflammatory markers at the start of therapy had a 0.9-U (95% CI 0.2, 1.5) better improvement in BASDAI compared with those without. Lesser responses were seen in those with higher baseline BASFI scores. Women had a 1.1-U (95% CI 0.3, 2.0) greater improvement in BASFI at 6 months, as did those who were receiving concurrent DMARD therapy [0.9 U (95% CI 0.2, 1.7)].

Conclusions. The majority of patients receiving anti-TNF therapy for AS during routine care demonstrated an improvement in disease activity. Raised inflammatory markers at the start of therapy predicted a greater improvement in BASDAI, identifying a group of patients who may be more responsive to anti-TNF therapies, although the results were not confined to this group.

Ankylosing spondylitis patients commencing biologic therapy have high baseline levels of comorbidity: a report from the Australian rheumatology association database

Aims. To compare the baseline characteristics of a population-based cohort of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) commencing biological therapy to the reported characteristics of bDMARD randomised controlled trials (RCTs) participants. Methods. Descriptive analysis of AS participants in the Australian Rheumatology Association Database (ARAD) who were commencing bDMARD therapy. Results. Up to December 2008, 389 patients with AS were enrolled in ARAD. 354 (91.0%) had taken bDMARDs at some time, and 198 (55.9%) completed their entry questionnaire prior to or within 6 months of commencing bDMARDs. 131 (66.1%) had at least one comorbid condition, and 24 (6.8%) had a previous malignancy (15 nonmelanoma skin, 4 melanoma, 2 prostate, 1 breast, cervix, and bowel). Compared with RCT participants, ARAD participants were older, had longer disease duration and higher baseline disease activity. Conclusions. AS patients commencing bDMARDs in routine care are significantly different to RCT participants and have significant baseline comorbidities.