Effect of interleukin-6 receptor inhibitor, tocilizumab, in preventing joint destruction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis showing inadequate response to TNF inhibitors

Intensive treatment for the progression of joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis patients with low disease activity or remission

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effects of intensive treatment on joint damage in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) showing progression of joint damage and low disease activity or remission.

METHODS

Eighty-nine patients who had change in the van der Heijde modified total Sharp score (TSS) of >0.5 points at baseline when compared with the score 1 year ago were enrolled and categorized into two groups to receive intensive (intensive group) or current (current group) treatment. The intensive and current groups were compared for change (Δ) from baseline to 1 year of erosion score, joint space narrowing score, and TSS.

RESULTS

The ΔTSS values at 1 year in the intensive and current groups were 0.67 ± 1.09 and 1.79 ± 1.70, respectively (P < 0.001). In the intensive and current groups, the ΔTSS ≤ 0.5 at 1 year were 66.7% and 32.4%, respectively (P = 0.010).

CONCLUSIONS

The intensive treatment was more effective at suppressing joint damage than the current treatment. The progression of joint damage is an important target to consider for intensive treatment.

The IL-6 signaling complex is a critical driver, negative prognostic factor, and therapeutic target in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a growth factor for normal B cells and plasma cell-derived malignancies. Here, we show that the IL-6 signaling pathway is also active in a subset of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients with particularly poor prognosis. Primary DLBCL cells and DLBCL cell lines expressing IL-6R engraft and form orthotopic lymphomas in humanized mice that ectopically produce human IL-6, and in mice reconstituted with a human immune system. We show that a subset of DLBCL cases have evolved mechanisms that ensure constitutive activation of the IL-6 signaling pathway, i.e., the expression of both chains of the IL-6R, the expression of the cytokine itself, and the mutational inactivation of a negative regulator of IL-6 signaling, SOCS1. IL-6 signaling promotes MYC-driven lymphomagenesis in a genetically engineered model, and treatment with the IL-6R-specific antibody tocilizumab reduces growth of primary DLBCL cells and of DLBCL cell lines in various therapeutic settings. The combined results uncover the IL-6 signaling pathway as a driver and negative prognosticator in aggressive DLBCL that can be targeted with a safe and well-tolerated biologic.

Sirukumab for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: update on sirukumab, 2018

INTRODUCTION

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is well-known for its pro-inflammatory properties, has been proven to target a wide range of cells in the joint, and has been implicated in extra-articular and articular manifestations in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Tocilizumab (TCZ) is now widely used in patients with active RA and a number of additional agents that target the IL-6 pathways are under development, including sirukumab (SRK). Areas covered: SRK is an IgG1κ human anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody which binds to IL-6 and prevents IL-6-mediated downstream effects. Initial trial results in phase-III studies in patients with RA seemed promising, showing improved results in patients with moderate-to-severe RA. Data derive from the phase-II study and the various SIRROUND studies (phase III). Expert commentary: The available data show that SRK50 mg every 4 weeks or 100 mg every 2 weeks will be effective in treating the RA population, with clinical improvements as early as week 2 and sustained over time. The adverse-event profile seems to be similar to TCZ, except for an increased mortality post open-label studies due to infections and cardiovascular events, our knowledge of which will be deepened with post-marketing surveillance and registry data.

A cyclic pathway of P2 × 7, bradykinin, and dopamine receptor activation induces a sustained articular hyperalgesia in the knee joint of rats

OBJECTIVE

We investigated whether: (1) P2 × 7 receptor activation by its agonist (BzATP) induces articular hyperalgesia in the rat's knee joint via inflammatory mechanisms and (2) activation of P2 × 7 receptors by endogenous ATP contributes to the articular hyperalgesia induced by bradykinin, TNF-α, IL-1β, CINC-1, PGE_2, and dopamine.

METHODS

The articular hyperalgesia was quantified using the rat knee joint incapacitation test. The knee joint inflammation, characterized by the concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines and by neutrophil migration, was quantified in the synovial lavage fluid by ELISA and myeloperoxidase enzyme activity assay, respectively.

RESULTS

BzATP induced a dose-dependent articular hyperalgesia in the rat's knee joint that was significantly reduced by the selective antagonists for P2 × 7, bradykinin B₁ or B₂ receptors, β₁ or β₂ adrenoceptors, and by pre-treatment with Indomethacin. BzATP induced a local increase of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and CINC-1 concentration and neutrophil migration into the knee joint. The co-administration of the selective P2 × 7 receptor antagonist A-740003 significantly reduced the articular hyperalgesia induced by bradykinin and dopamine, but not by TNF-α, IL-1β, CINC-1, and PGE₂.

CONCLUSIONS

P2 × 7 receptor activation induces articular hyperalgesia mediated by the previous inflammatory mediator release. P2 × 7 receptor-induced articular hyperalgesia is sustained by the involvement of this purinergic receptor in bradykinin and dopamine-induced hyperalgesia in the knee joint.

Efficacy and safety of sirukumab in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis refractory to anti-TNF therapy (SIRROUND-T): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multinational, phase 3 study

BACKGROUND

Sirukumab, a human monoclonal antibody that selectively binds to the interleukin-6 cytokine with high affinity, is under development for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of sirukumab for rheumatoid arthritis in a phase 3 study (SIRROUND-T).

METHODS

We did a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicentre study at 183 hospitals and private rheumatology clinics in 20 countries (Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, UK, and USA). Eligible participants were patients with active rheumatoid arthritis aged at least 18 years, with four or more of 68 tender joints and four or more of 66 swollen joints, who were refractory or intolerant to previous treatment with at least one anti-TNF drug. We randomly assigned patients (1:1:1) via a central interactive voice or web response system to either placebo every 2 weeks, 50 mg sirukumab every 4 weeks, or 100 mg sirukumab every 2 weeks, all given for 52 weeks or less. We allowed participants to continue using any concomitant disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). We based the randomisation on a computer-generated, permuted-block schedule stratified by use of methotrexate at baseline (0, >0 to <12·5 mg/week, or ≥12·5 mg/week). Masking was achieved with the use of multipart labels on the study drug containers which contained directions for use and other information, but not the drug's identity. Treatments were administered by subcutaneous injection; patients assigned to 50 mg sirukumab given every 4 weeks also received a placebo injection every 2 weeks to maintain masking. At week 18, placebo-treated patients meeting early escape criteria (<20% improvement in swollen and tender joint counts) were randomly reassigned to either 50 mg or 100 mg of sirukumab. All remaining placebo-treated patients were subsequently randomly reassigned at week 24 to either sirukumab dose (crossover). The primary outcome was the proportion of patients who achieved a response of at least 20% improvement at week 16 according to American College of Rheumatology criteria (ACR20) in the intention-to-treat population (all randomly assigned participants). Safety analyses included all participants who received at least one dose (partial or complete) of study drug. This study is registered at EudraCT (number: 2010-022243-38) and ClinicalTrials.gov (number: NCT01606761).

FINDINGS

Between July 25, 2012, and Jan 12, 2016, we randomly assigned 878 patients to treatment: 294 to placebo, 292 to 50 mg sirukumab every 4 weeks, and 292 to 100 mg sirukumab every 2 weeks. 523 (60%) of 878 patients had previously received two or more biological treatments including non-TNF drugs, and 166 (19%) of 878 were not taking a DMARD at baseline. The proportions of patients who achieved an ACR20 response at week 16 were 117 (40%) of 292 with 50 mg sirukumab every 4 weeks, and 132 (45%) of 292 with 100 mg sirukumab every 2 weeks versus 71 (24%) of 294 with placebo; differences compared with placebo were 0·16 (95% CI 0·09-0·23) for 50 mg sirukumab every 4 weeks and 0·21 (0·14-0·29) for 100 mg sirukumab every 2 weeks (both p<0·0001). Adverse event incidences in the 24-week placebo-controlled period were similar across groups (at least one event occurred for 182 patients assigned to placebo [62%, including early escape patients switched to sirukumab at week 18] of 294; 194 [66%] of 292 with 50 mg sirukumab every 4 weeks; and 207 [71%] of 292 with 100 mg sirukumab every 2 weeks). The most common adverse events in this period were injection-site erythema (four [1%] with placebo, 22 [8%] with 50 mg sirukumab every 4 weeks, and 41 [14%] with 100 mg sirukumab every 2 weeks). At week 52, of all patients receiving sirukumab including those reassigned from placebo, the most common adverse events were again injection-site erythema (33 [8%] of 416 with 50 mg sirukumab every 4 weeks and 66 [16%] of 418 with 100 mg sirukumab every 2 weeks).

INTERPRETATION

In patients with active rheumatoid arthritis who were refractory or intolerant to anti-TNF drugs and other biological treatments, both dosing regimens of sirukumab were well tolerated and significantly improved signs and symptoms of the disease, compared with placebo, in this difficult-to-treat population.

FUNDING

Janssen Research & Development, LLC, and GlaxoSmithKline.

P2X3 and P2X2/3 Receptors Play a Crucial Role in Articular Hyperalgesia Development Through Inflammatory Mechanisms in the Knee Joint Experimental Synovitis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative and progressive disease characterized by cartilage breakdown and by synovial membrane inflammation, which results in disability, joint swelling, and pain. The purinergic P2X3 and P2X2/3 receptors contribute to development of inflammatory hyperalgesia, participate in arthritis processes in the knee joint, and are expressed in chondrocytes and nociceptive afferent fibers innervating the knee joint. In this study, we hypothesized that P2X3 and P2X2/3 receptors activation by endogenous ATP (adenosine 5'-triphosphate) induces articular hyperalgesia in the knee joint of male and female rats through an indirect sensitization of primary afferent nociceptors dependent on the previous release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and/or on neutrophil migration. We found that the blockade of articular P2X3 and P2X2/3 receptors significantly attenuated carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia in the knee joint of male and estrus female rats in a similar manner. The carrageenan-induced knee joint inflammation increased the expression of P2X3 receptors in chondrocytes of articular cartilage. Further, the blockade of articular P2X3 and P2X2/3 receptors significantly reduced the increased concentration of TNF-α, IL-6, and CINC-1 and the neutrophil migration induced by carrageenan. These findings indicate that P2X3 and P2X2/3 receptors activation by endogenous ATP is essential to hyperalgesia development in the knee joint through an indirect sensitization of primary afferent nociceptors dependent on the previous release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and/or on neutrophil migration.

Two-year efficacy of tocilizumab in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis in clinical practice

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy of tocilizumab (TCZ) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in clinical practice, retention rates of the drug and predictors of response.

METHODS

We performed a descriptive, prospective, longitudinal, open-label study in patients receiving TCZ (8mg/kg/4 weeks) in a clinical practice setting. The clinical responses were evaluated using the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response criteria, and the low activity and remission rates according to the Disease Activity Score 28-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) and the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI).

RESULTS

The EULAR response rate was 86.63% and the DAS28 remission rate was 53.7% after 6 months of treatment; rates of low disease activity were 52.9% on CDAI and 47.1% on DAS28 at month 24. There were no statistically significant differences in EULAR response, rates of low activity and remission on DAS28 between patients receiving TCZ alone and those receiving TCZ in combination therapy, or between patients positive or negative for rheumatoid factor (RF) and/or anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies. The naïve biological therapy patients showed better remission and low activity rates after 6 months of treatment. The retention rate was 61% at month 24. Adverse events were among the most frequent causes of discontinuation.

CONCLUSIONS

Tocilizumab is effective in RA, has a similar efficacy when used alone or in combination with synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and shows high retention rates.

Systemic effects of surgical intervention on disease activity, daily function, and medication in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVES

Although tight control of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been achieved through the development of effective medication, surgical intervention is still required for a certain subpopulation of patients. To examine the systemic effects of orthopaedic surgery, we evaluated improvements in disease activity, daily function, and medication after surgery.

METHOD

A prospective cohort study was conducted in 196 cases of elective orthopaedic surgery in 150 patients with RA from January 2011 to March 2014 in our institution. The 28-joint count Disease Activity Score based on erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) and modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (mHAQ) scores just before surgery and at 6 and 12 months after surgery were examined prospectively. Concomitant medications were also investigated.

RESULTS

Significant improvement was seen in the DAS28-ESR and mHAQ scores for replacement surgery in both the upper and lower extremities, and for arthroplasty/arthrodesis in the upper extremities at the 12-month follow-up. Partial mHAQ scores for the lower extremities were significantly reduced in lower replacement surgery, and partial mHAQ scores for the upper extremities were significantly reduced in upper arthroplasty/arthrodesis surgery. Although the use of conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) did not decrease after surgery, the dose of prednisolone (PSL) decreased significantly at 12 months after surgery, especially in the well-controlled group and in surgical procedures in the lower extremities.

CONCLUSIONS

Elective orthopaedic surgery improves both systemic disease activity and general functional impairment. Orthopaedic surgery is effective in reducing the amount of medication required postoperatively.

[Switching within the active ingredient group or changing the mechanism of action. Data situation by failure of the first line biologic]

Despite the use of biologics many patients do not achieve remission or reduced disease activity, which raises the question of the optimal therapy when these therapy targets are not achieved. Most data from clinical studies and registry data refer to the approach following the unsuccessful use of one or more tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors. Randomized controlled studies investigating the effectiveness of a further biologic or TNF inhibitor in patients who received abatacept, tocilizumab or rituximab in the first line therapy are currently lacking, with the exception of the German MIRAI study. The majority of registry data and observational studies suggest that when the use of a TNF inhibitor is unsuccessful it is advantageous to change to a non-TNF biologic. This does not exclude that a change within the group of TNF inhibitors can represent an appropriate option, e.g. by injection or infusion reactions or secondary therapy failure. Whether determination of serum levels and neutralizing antibodies aids decision-making for individual patients, must currently remain open. The option to change within an active ingredient group of biologics only currently applies to the group of TNF inhibitors; however, with the development of further antibodies inhibiting interleukin 6, this question will also apply to this group of substances. The question of the optimal strategy after failure of the first and second line biologics will be asked more frequently when the therapy targets of remission and low disease activity are more stringently strived for. Predictive markers for an optimal approach to the sequential administration of biologics are lacking. In order to answer this question clinical studies which investigate the therapeutic approach in a randomized and controlled manner will be necessary in the future.

Bone Loss Triggered by the Cytokine Network in Inflammatory Autoimmune Diseases

Bone remodeling is a lifelong process in vertebrates that relies on the correct balance between bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. Bone loss and fracture risk are implicated in inflammatory autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and systemic lupus erythematosus. The network of inflammatory cytokines produced during chronic inflammation induces an uncoupling of bone formation and resorption, resulting in significant bone loss in patients with inflammatory autoimmune diseases. Here, we review and discuss the involvement of the inflammatory cytokine network in the pathophysiological aspects and the therapeutic advances in inflammatory autoimmune diseases.