SAT0158 EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF FILGOTINIB IN METHOTREXATE-NAÏVE PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: FINCH 3 52-WEEK RESULTS

Recommendations by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology on risk management of biological treatment and JAK inhibitors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

To present recommendations based on the available evidence and the consensus of experts, for risk management of biological treatment and JAK inhibitors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

METHODS

Clinical research questions relevant to the purpose of the document were identified. These questions were reformulated in PICO format (patient, intervention, comparison, outcome or outcome) by a panel of experts, selected based on their experience in the area. A systematic review of the evidence was carried out, grading according to the GRADE criteria (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation). Specific recommendations were then formulated.

RESULTS

6 PICO questions were proposed by the panel of experts based on their clinical relevance and the existence of recent information regarding the risk of occurrence of serious infections, the risk of reactivation of the hepatitis B virus, the risk of reactivation of the virus varicella-zoster, the risk of appearance of skin (melanoma and non-melanoma) or haematological cancer, the risk of appearance of thromboembolic disease and the risk of progression of the human papilloma virus. A total of 28 recommendations were formulated, structured by question, based on the evidence found and the consensus of the experts.

CONCLUSIONS

The SER recommendations on risk management of treatment with biologic therapies and JAK inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis are presented.

Treatment innovation for patients: a collaborative network in the Benelux and an inside view of 20 years of Galapagos

A better understanding of disease pathology, improvements in relevant disease outcomes, better treatment strategies and the development of novel therapies all contribute to improving healthcare and treatment options. However, the global drug development model today is under increasing pressure, with very high drug development costs. Collaborative research is critical for bringing together different capabilities and expertise to increase the success of drug development, and large-scale collaborations with multiple partners are becoming increasingly common. Research clusters supported by local governments play an important role in bringing together academic centres, hospitals, scientists, and pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. The 'triple helix' model, with academia, industry and governments working together, has been an important factor in the successful development of novel therapies. During the past 20 years, Galapagos has worked closely with academic centres, hospitals, governments and pharmaceutical companies to conduct innovative research and to develop a novel therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. These collaborations have brought unique knowledge, expertise and skills together, as well as crucial funding at various stages. Local governments in the Benelux have operated in this triple helix model to provide the necessary environment and to stimulate companies to achieve innovation through collaboration. Although the triple helix has already proved successful, evolution to a quadruple helix that includes patients and patient representatives could be the next step to ensure innovation remains transformational.

Inhibition of Structural Joint Damage Progression with Upadacitinib in Rheumatoid Arthritis: 1-Year Outcomes from the SELECT Phase 3 Program

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the inhibition of progression of structural joint damage through week 48 in patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receiving upadacitinib as monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate.

METHODS

Radiographic progression was assessed in two phase 3 randomized-controlled trials. Methotrexate-naïve patients were randomized to upadacitinib 15 or 30 mg once daily (QD) or methotrexate monotherapy (SELECT-EARLY, n = 945), while methotrexate inadequate responders (IR) were randomized to upadacitinib 15 mg QD or adalimumab 40 mg every other week or placebo added to background methotrexate (SELECT-COMPARE, n = 1629). Mean changes from baseline in modified Total Sharp Score (mTSS), joint space narrowing (JSN), and erosion scores (ES) were determined. Data were analysed both by linear extrapolation for missing data imputation and treatment switching and as-observed.

RESULTS

In patients naïve or with limited exposure to methotrexate (SELECT-EARLY), mean changes from baseline to week 48 in mTSS were 0.03 for upadacitinib 15 mg, 0.14 for upadacitinib 30 mg, and 1.00 for methotrexate based on linear extrapolation (p < 0.001 for both upadacitinib doses vs methotrexate). Among patients with an inadequate response to methotrexate (SELECT-COMPARE), the mean change from baseline in mTSS was significantly reduced in the upadacitinib 15 mg plus methotrexate group vs placebo plus methotrexate (0.28 vs 1.73; p < 0.001); mean change from baseline in the adalimumab plus methotrexate group was 0.39.

CONCLUSION

Upadacitinib monotherapy or in combination with background methotrexate was effective in inhibiting the progression of structural joint damage through week 48 in methotrexate-naïve and methotrexate-IR patients with RA.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, https://clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02706873 and NCT02629159.

Filgotinib: First Approval

Filgotinib (Jyseleca^®) is an oral, ATP-competitive, reversible JAK1 preferential inhibitor that is being developed by Galapagos NV and Gilead Sciences for the treatment of inflammatory autoimmune diseases, including inflammatory arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. The JAK-STAT signalling pathway has been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, and filgotinib modulates this pathway by preventing the phosphorylation and activation of STATs. In September 2020, filgotinib received its first approvals in the EU and Japan. In the EU, filgotinib is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults who have responded inadequately to, or who are intolerant to, one or more disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). In Japan, filgotinib is indicated for the treatment of RA in patients who had an inadequate response to conventional therapies (including prevention of structural damage to joints). Clinical studies of filgotinib for the treatment of inflammatory autoimmune diseases are ongoing worldwide. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of filgotinib leading to this first approval.

Phase III trials of JAK1 selective inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis

Upadacitinib and filgotinib, two JAK1 selective drugs have undergone extensive phase III clinical trials in RA and have demonstrated rapid improvements in disease activity, function and patient reported outcomes. Six global phase III randomized controlled clinical trials (SELECT phase III program) evaluated the efficacy and safety of upadacitinib and four clinical phase III trials (the FINCH program) evaluated the efficacy and safety of filgotinib. This article is a critical review of all these studies with focus on the therapeutic efficacy in RA. The aim is to display the data that could allow the approval of these new drugs for the treatment of RA (upadacitinib has been already approved in most of the markets around the world).

Current and Emerging DMARDs for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most prevalent form of inflammatory arthritis. It is a profoundly serious and severe disease that if it goes untreated could have severe consequences to the joints and health of the patient who carries this diagnosis. The treatment of RA has dramatically changed since the year 2000, with the discovery of the TNFis, then other biologics, and finally the JAKi. All these new medications with or without methotrexate in combination, tight control and treat to target have produced a revolution in the outcome of this disease. We reviewed and summarized the treatment options, and the most significant papers for each one of these new drugs. The reader could have a full picture with all the references of the recent publications. We also updated the biosimilar situation in RA, as well as the new drugs that will be coming to the market in the next 5 years.