Real-World Effectiveness and Safety of SDZ ETN, an Etanercept Biosimilar, in Patients with Rheumatic Diseases: Final Results from Multi-Country COMPACT Study

INTRODUCTION

COMPACT, a non-interventional study, evaluated the persistence, effectiveness, safety and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), axial-spondyloarthritis (axSpA) or psoriatic arthritis (PsA) treated with SDZ ETN (etanercept [ETN] biosimilar) in Europe and Canada.

METHODS

Patients (aged ≥ 18 years) who have been treated with SDZ ETN were categorised on the basis of prior treatment status (groups A-D): patients in clinical remission or with low disease activity under treatment with reference ETN or biosimilar ETN and switched to SDZ ETN; patients who received non-ETN targeted therapies and switched to SDZ ETN; biologic-naïve patients who started SDZ ETN after conventional therapy failure; or disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD)-naïve patients with RA considered suitable for treatment initiation with a biologic and started on treatment with SDZ ETN. The primary endpoint was drug persistence, defined as time from study enrolment until discontinuation of SDZ ETN treatment.

RESULTS

Of the 1466 patients recruited, 844 (57.6%) had RA, 334 (22.8%) had axSpA and 288 (19.6%) had PsA. Patients had an ongoing SDZ ETN treatment at the time of enrolment for an observed average of 138 days (range 1-841); 22.7% of patients discontinued SDZ ETN through 12 months of study observation. Overall, all the patients receiving SDZ ETN showed good treatment persistence at 12 months with discontinuation rates of 15.2%, 25.7% and 27.8% in groups A, B and C, respectively. Across all patient groups, no major differences were observed in the disease activity and PRO scores between baseline and month 12. Injection-site reactions were low across the treatment groups.

CONCLUSION

These results support the effectiveness and safety of SDZ ETN treatment in patients with RA, axSpA or PsA in real-life conditions. The treatment persistence rates observed were consistent with previously published reports of patients treated with reference or other biosimilar ETN. No new safety signals were identified.

Differences in treatment response between female and male psoriatic arthritis patients during IL-12/23 therapy with or without methotrexate: post hoc analysis of results from the randomised MUST trial

BACKGROUND

The influence of sex on treatment outcomes during interleukin-12/23 therapy in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) has not been explored.

OBJECTIVE

To conduct exploratory post hoc analyses of sex-stratified data from the MUST trial, an investigator-initiated, multicentre, phase 3b study in which patients with active PsA initiating treatment with open-label ustekinumab were randomised to treatment with placebo or methotrexate (MTX).

METHODS

We evaluated baseline characteristics, key treatment outcomes and adverse events stratified by sex, with a focus on outcomes that did not include erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) as a component due to the known elevation of ESR in females.

RESULTS

A total of 166 patients were treated with ustekinumab+MTX (37 female, 50 male) or ustekinumab+placebo (32 female, 47 male). At baseline, females had a significantly longer time since PsA diagnosis and greater impairment in physical function, but similar joint counts. At week 24, both females and males showed marked improvements to ustekinumab with or without MTX. Females generally had numerically reduced treatment responses compared with males, although differences did not achieve statistical significance. MTX did not show an overall effect on treatment outcomes, but was associated with faster enthesitis responses in males only. Adverse events were generally comparable, but females in the ustekinumab+MTX group had higher levels of gastrointestinal disorders.

CONCLUSION

Females and males with PsA had differences in baseline characteristics, treatment responses and adverse events during therapy. A better understanding of sex-based differences in PsA may help optimise treatment.

Real-world effectiveness of golimumab in the treatment of patients with active rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or axial spondyloarthritis who failed initial TNF-α inhibitor therapy: a pooled analysis of European prospective observational studie

OBJECTIVES

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) patients often experience secondary non-response to a first-line tumour necrosis factor alpha inhibitor (TNFαi). This pooled analysis of six observational studies in Europe (GO-BEYOND program) provides an estimate of second-line golimumab (GLM) effectiveness for these rheumatic diseases.

METHODS

The GO-BEYOND studies included common disease-specific endpoints allowing for a pooled analysis. Patients had discontinued one prior TNFαi (due to loss of efficacy, tolerability, or inconvenience) and were followed for 12 months after GLM initiation. Primary endpoints included the proportion of patients achieving low disease activity (LDA, DAS28-CRP<3.2) in RA, minimal disease activity (MDA, fulfilment of 5 of 7 outcome measures) in PsA, or low disease activity (ASDAS<2.1) in axSpA at 6 months. Disease activity at 3 and 12 months and quality of life (QoL; EQ-5D-3L) were also assessed. Adverse events were monitored. Protocol-specified analyses were based on observed data.

RESULTS

In 712 patients, (n=325, RA; 186, PsA; 201, axSpA), mean age was 54 years, 64% were female, and median disease duration was 5 years. Primary endpoints were achieved in 58.3% (RA), 45.5% (PsA), and 45.4% (axSpA) of patients; disease activity improvements were observed at 3 and 12 months and EQ-5D-3L results showed improved QoL over time. The treatment persistence rate at 12 months was 67.8% of patients. No new safety signals were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

This pooled analysis of the GO-BEYOND studies showed that treatment with GLM was effective and represented a valid second-line option for RA, PsA, and axSpA patients.

The Sensitivity to Change of the ASAS Health Index in an Observational Real-Life Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

The Assessment of Spondyloarthritis international Society Health Index (ASAS HI) measures global functioning and health in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) covering domains of physical, emotional, and social functioning. The main aim of this study was to investigate the sensitivity to change of ASAS HI in comparison with established variables of disease activity, function, and mental health.

METHODS

Patients with axSpA from the disease register RABBIT-SpA with follow-up time of at least 12 months and available ASAS HI questionnaires were included. Patients received questionnaires addressing disease activity (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index [BASDAI], Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score [ASDAS]), physical function (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index [BASFI]), mental health (5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index [WHO-5]), and global functioning (ASAS HI). Standardized response means (SRMs) were calculated to compare the sensitivity to change of different variables.

RESULTS

Six hundred and sixty-seven patients were included, 552 treated with biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) and 115 with conventional synthetic DMARDs and/or nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (control group). Between baseline and month 12, the mean ASAS HI declined from 6.9 to 5.1 in the bDMARD group and from 5.9 to 5.6 in the conventionally treated group. In the bDMARD group, the SRM of ASAS HI was 0.52, compared to 0.59 for BASFI, 0.65 for WHO-5, 0.73 for BASDAI, and 0.90 for ASDAS. The following ASAS HI domains were most frequently affected: pain (78% agreed), maintaining body position (75%), and energy/drive (73%). In the patients receiving bDMARDs, there was an improvement in all items. In the control group, the largest improvement was seen in pain.

CONCLUSION

As expected, ASDAS and BASDAI as disease activity scores showed high sensitivity to change, whereas changes in physical function (BASFI), mental health (WHO-5), and the broader concept of functioning and health (ASAS HI) were moderate.

Sustained effectiveness and safety of subcutaneous tocilizumab over two years in the ARATA observational study

OBJECTIVES

To investigate long-term effectiveness and safety of subcutaneous tocilizumab (TCZ-SC) in the routine clinical care of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

ARATA (ML29087) was a prospective, multicentre, observational study of adult patients with active RA initiating therapy with TCZ-SC. The primary effectiveness outcome was the proportion of patients achieving DAS28-ESR <2.6 at week 104. Additional efficacy outcomes included individual DAS28-dcrit responses (improvement of ≥1.8 from baseline), CDAI remission (≤2.8), and patient-reported outcomes (PROs), including Work Productivity and Activity Impairment scores. Adverse event rates were used to evaluate safety and tolerability.

RESULTS

Between May 2014 and July 2018, 114 study centres in Germany enrolled 1,300 patients with RA who received at least one dose of TCZ-SC (mean age 57.3 [SD 12.5] years, mean DAS28-ESR of 4.9 [SD 1.3]). At week 104, 58.7% (365/622) patients achieved DAS28-ESR <2.6, 64.0% had an individual DAS28-dcrit response, and 31.4% (241/767) achieved CDAI remission. PROs, including patient global assessment, pain, and fatigue, showed marked improvements from baseline. Work outcomes, including absenteeism (missed work) and presenteeism (productivity while at work), also improved. Injection reactions were rare and no new safety signals occurred. Patients expressed a high level of satisfaction with treatment. Baseline patient characteristics and outcomes were similar for ARATA and ICHIBAN (an observational study of TCZ-IV in Germany), despite different formulations and time periods.

CONCLUSIONS

The safety and effectiveness of TCZ-SC is maintained over 2 years during routine clinical care. TCZ-SC represents a convenient and effective option for RA patients who prefer SC administration.

Methotrexate plus ustekinumab versus ustekinumab monotherapy in patients with active psoriatic arthritis (MUST): a randomised, multicentre, placebo-controlled, phase 3b, non-inferiority trial

BACKGROUND

The role of methotrexate in combination with biological agents in patients with psoriatic arthritis remains unclear. The MUST phase 3b trial aimed to compare the efficacy of ustekinumab plus placebo with ustekinumab plus methotrexate in patients with active psoriatic arthritis.

METHODS

In this investigator-initiated, randomised, multicentre, placebo-controlled, phase 3b non-inferiority trial done in 22 centres in Germany, patients with active psoriatic arthritis received open-label ustekinumab and were randomly assigned (1:1) to masked concomitant therapy with placebo or methotrexate (ongoing or new). The primary outcome was non-inferiority of mean Disease Activity Score-28 joints (DAS28) at week 24 for ustekinumab monotherapy (ustekinumab plus placebo) versus ustekinumab combination therapy (ustekinumab plus methotrexate), stratified by previous methotrexate treatment. The key secondary analysis was non-inferiority of DAS28 at week 52. The primary analysis was based on a stratified van Elteren test with an α of 2·5% and a non-inferiority margin of 12·5% by Mann-Whitney estimator. Adverse events and serious adverse events were assessed. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03148860.

FINDINGS

Between Jan 24, 2017, and April 12, 2021, 186 patients with active psoriatic arthritis were screened, of whom 173 (93%) patients were enrolled and randomly assigned (1:1) to receive concomitant methotrexate therapy (n=88) or placebo (n=85). 84 patients were receiving methotrexate at baseline, and 89 patients had no previous methotrexate treatment. 166 (96%) patients (87 in the ustekinumab plus methotrexate group and 79 in the ustekinumab plus placebo group) were included in the safety and efficacy analyses at week 24 (69 [42%] female; 97 [58%] male; mean age 48·2 years [SE 1·1]). Ustekinumab plus placebo was non-inferior to ustekinumab plus methotrexate in DAS28 at week 24 (2·9 [SD 1·31] vs 3·1 [1·42]); the stratified Mann-Whitney estimator for treatment comparison was 0·5426 (95% CI 0·4545-0·6307). Non-inferiority for ustekinumab plus placebo was also observed in DAS28 at week 52. Serious adverse events occurred in seven (9%) patients in the ustekinumab plus placebo group and eight (9%) patients in the ustekinumab plus methotrexate group. No specific serious adverse events affected more than one patient, and there were no deaths.

INTERPRETATION

Interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23 inhibition with ustekinumab is an effective treatment for psoriatic arthritis independent of methotrexate use; concomitant methotrexate did not increase efficacy of ustekinumab (based on DAS28). On the basis of these data, there is no evidence to support the addition or maintainance of methotrexate when initiating ustekinumab in patients with active psoriatic arthritis.

FUNDING

Janssen Cilag.

Effectiveness of Different Rituximab Doses Combined with Leflunomide in the Treatment or Retreatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Part 2 of a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Investigator-Initiated Clinical Trial (AMARA)

BACKGROUND

The optimal dose of rituximab in combination with leflunomide in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is not known.

METHODS

In Part 1 (previously reported) of the investigator-initiated AMARA study (EudraCT 2009-015950-39; ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01244958), improvements at week (W)24 were observed in patients randomized to rituximab + leflunomide compared with placebo + leflunomide. In the study reported here (Part 2), Part 1 responders received rituximab 500 or 1000 mg at W24/26 plus ongoing leflunomide. Patients were randomized at baseline to their eventual W24 treatment group. The Part 2 primary outcome was the mean Disease Activity Score-28 joints (DAS28) at W52, based on the last observation carried forward (LOCF) analyses and a two-sided analysis of variance. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and adverse events were evaluated.

RESULTS

Eighty-three patients received rituximab at W24/26 (31 rituximab→rituximab 1000 mg; 29 rituximab→rituximab 500 mg; 10 placebo→rituximab 1000 mg; 13 placebo→rituximab 500 mg). At W52, there were no significant differences in DAS28 between rituximab doses in patients originally treated with rituximab or those originally treated with placebo. In the Part 1 placebo group, the higher rituximab dose was associated with greater improvements in ACR response rates and some PROs. Adverse events were similar regardless of rituximab dose.

CONCLUSIONS

Retreatment with rituximab 500 mg and 1000 mg showed comparable efficacy, whereas an initial dose of rituximab 500 mg was associated with lower response rates versus 1000 mg. Reduced treatment response with the lower dose in patients initially treated with placebo may have been influenced by small numbers and baseline disease activity.

POS1059 EFFICACY OF UST IN ACTIVE PsA IS INDEPENDENT FROM CONCOMITANT MTX USE, EVEN IN PATIENTS WITH MORE SEVERE SKIN PSORIASIS: SUBGROUP ANALYSIS FROM A RANDOMIZED PLACEBO-CONTROLLED INVESTIGATOR INITIATED CLINICAL TRIAL

Background

The use of bDMARDs treatments in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) usually requires treatment failure or intolerance of csDMARD/MTX before initiation. The value of MTX in combination with bDMARDs is still unclear. We designed an investigator-initiated, randomized, placebo-controlled trial (IIT) in active PsA to examine if outcomes of treatment with ustekinumab (UST) in combination with MTX (either newly initiated or ongoing) were different from UST only (+Placebo; PBO). With known efficacy of MTX on skin psoriasis outcomes may differ in patients with or without significant skin involvement of their psoriatic disease.

Objectives

To compare efficacy outcomes in UST+PBO vs UST+MTX in dependency of skin involvement (Body Surface Area [BSA]) at baseline.

Methods

A total of 186 patients with active PsA (defined as TJC≥4, SJC≥4 [68/66 joint count] and DAS28≥3.2) were screened for eligibility. 173 patients were randomized to UST+MTX (new or ongoing) or UST+PBO.

With this post hoc subgroup analysis outcome parameters were compared between patients with or without skin psoriasis > 3 % BSA. Demographic data and disease activity status of arthritis (joint count [TJC/SJC], DAPSA, DAS28), skin (PASI, BSA), HR-QoL (EQ5D, DLQI) and physical function (HAQ) were compared between groups.

Results

BL data were well-balanced between main treatment groups (UST+MTX, n=86; UST+PBO, n=74) including gender (42.5% vs 40.5% female) and mean values for age (49.2 vs 47.2 years), BMI (29.4 vs 28.9 kg/m2), SJC (8 vs 8), TJC (12 vs 12), DAS28-CRP (4.6 vs 4.4), DAPSA (36.7 vs 34.9) and PASI (2.8 vs 2.4. Disease activity remained well-balanced even after dividing groups according to skin involvement ((a) BSA ≤3% and (b) BSA >3%) with a trend of more severe joint involvement (SJC, TJC) in BSA >3% for UST+MTX compared to UST+PBO. At week 24, relative changes in TJC (-62% vs -62%), change in DAS28 and DAPSA were equal in all treatment groups independent from skin involvement (Table 1). Differences between the groups according to skin involvement were seen for relative changes in SJC (BSA >3%: -74.8% UST+MTX vs -84.3% UST+PBO), subject global assessment (SGA), physician global assessment (PGA), DLQI and EQ5D. Highest levels for changes were detected in the UST+PBO group with high skin involvement (BSA >3%).

Table 1.

Outcomes at Week 24 (LOCF)

UST+MTXUST+PBOBSA ≤3%BSA >3%BSA ≤3%BSA >3%n=46n=40n=51n=23TJC68 change from BL-7.83 (SD 10.3)-9.5 (SD 10.3)-8.9 (SD 9.5)-7.3 (SD 7.4)SJC66 change from BL-6.0 (SD 5.4)-7.1 (SD 3.5)-6.5 (SD 6.2)-6.4 (SD 3.8)PASI change from BL+-1.3 (SD 1.9)-8.5 (SD 9.6)-1.5 (SD 2.4)-9.0 (SD 10.7)DAS-28 ESR [mm/hr] change from BL-1.6 (SD 1.1)-1.8 (SD 1.2)-1.7 (SD 1.4)-1.8 (SD 1.1)DAS-28 CRP [mg/l] change to BL-1.5 (SD 1.2)-1.5 (SD 1.3)-1.6 (SD 1.2)- 1.7 (SD 1.1)DAPSA change from BL-17.4 (SD 16.8)-20.8 (SD 13.2)-20.5 (SD 16.6)-20.4 (SD 15.3)HAQ change from BL-0.1 (SD 0.4)-0.2 (SD 0.5)-0.3 (SD 0.3)-0.3 (SD 0.5)DLQI change from BL-3.1 (SD 5.5)-5.5 (SD 8.2)-2.3 (SD 3.3)-6.4 (SD 7.9)EQ5D VAS Health State change from BL6.7 (SD 24.7)11.7 (SD 23.6)8.0 (SD 24.2)21.3 (SD 25.3)

Conclusion

IL12/23 inhibition with UST is an effective treatment for active PsA independent of MTX use. Data from this IIT indicate that additional MTX has no positive impact on UST efficacy for arthritis, skin, HR-QoL and physical function. This independency of UST effect from MTX can also be demonstrated in patients with active skin involvement despite known efficacy of MTX for skin psoriasis.

Acknowledgements

We thank Janssen for support of the study with a research grant.

Disclosure of Interests

Michaela Köhm Speakers bureau: Janssen, Consultant of: Janssen, Grant/research support from: Janssen, Tanja Rossmanith Grant/research support from: Janssen, Ann Christina Foldenauer Grant/research support from: Janssen, Herbert Kellner Speakers bureau: Janssen, Consultant of: Janssen, Uta Kiltz Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Fresenius, Hexal, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Biocad, Biogen, Chugai, Eli Lilly, Hexal, Grünenthal, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Biogen, Fresenius, GSK, Hexal, Novartis, Pfizer, Jürgen Rech Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Biogen, BMS, Chugai, GSK, Lilly, MSD; Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, Sobi, UCB, Consultant of: Biogen, BMS, Chugai, GSK, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, Sobi, UCB, Grant/research support from: Novartis, Sobi, Gerd Rüdiger Burmester Speakers bureau: Janssen, Consultant of: Janssen, Grant/research support from: Janssen, David M Kofler Speakers bureau: Janssen, Consultant of: Janssen, Grant/research support from: Janssen, Jan Brandt-Juergens Speakers bureau: Janssen, Consultant of: Janssen, Grant/research support from: Janssen, Christin Jonetzko Grant/research support from: Janssen, Harald Burkhardt Speakers bureau: Janssen, Consultant of: Janssen, Grant/research support from: Janssen, Frank Behrens Speakers bureau: Janssen, Consultant of: Janssen, Grant/research support from: Janssen

POS0640 REAL-WORLD EFFECTIVENESS AND SAFETY OF GP2015 IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATIC DISEASES: FINAL RESULTS OF THE COMPACT STUDY

Background

COMPACT is a non-interventional study evaluating the effectiveness and safety in patients (pts) with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), axial-spondyloarthritis (axSpA) or psoriatic arthritis (PsA) treated with GP2015 (an etanercept [ETN] biosimilar) in real-world conditions.

Objectives

We present the effectiveness and safety data from the final analysis of the COMPACT study for all patient groups.

Methods

Pts aged ≥18 years on treatment with GP2015 were enrolled. Baseline visit corresponded with date of study inclusion and not with date of GP2015 treatment start. Pts were categorised based on prior treatment status: pts on clinical remission or low disease activity under treatment with reference ETN or biosimilar ETN (initial ETN: [iETN]) and switched to GP2015 (Group A) or pts who received non-ETN targeted therapies and switched to GP2015 (Group B) or biologic-naïve pts who started GP2015 after conventional therapy failure (Group C) or DMARD-naïve pts with recent diagnosis of RA considered suitable for treatment initiation with a biologic and started on treatment with GP2015 (Group D). Effectiveness assessments included Disease Activity Score 28-joint count Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (DAS28-ESR) or Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) until Month 12 after enrolment (baseline) in the study.

Results

Of the 1466 pts enrolled, 572 were switched from iETN (Group A), 171 were switched from other targeted therapies (Group B), 713 were biologic-naïve (Group C), and 10 were RA DMARD-naïve (Group D). Comorbidities were more frequent in pts with RA (68.7%,) followed by pts with PsA (59.4%) and axSpA (52.1%). After 12 months of treatment with GP2015, pts with RA or PsA achieved comparable DAS28-ESR scores irrespective of whether they switched from iETN, or from other targeted therapies or were biologic-naïve. At Month 12, the mean ASDAS scores were comparable between the treatment groups in pts with axSpA (Table 1). Across all pt groups, no major differences were observed in the disease activity scores between baseline and Month 12 that may be explained by the ongoing GP2015 treatment at the time of enrolment for an observed average of 138 days. Overall, the proportion of patients with at least one adverse event (AE) and serious AE (SAE) was 47.6% and 7.7% in pts who were switched from iETN, 56.7% and 9.9% in pts switched from other targeted therapies, 56% and 8.7% in biologic-naïve pts, and 60% and 0% in DMARD-naïve pts. Rate of injection site reaction was low across the groups (Figure 1).

Table 1.

Effectiveness outcomes in patients treated with GP2015

Effectiveness outcomesGroup AGroup BGroup CGroup DOverall (A-D)RADAS28-ESR, n, mean (SD)N=295N=88N=451N=10N=844Baselinen=259n=70n=392n=8n=7292.5 (1.1)3.6 (1.3)3.3 (1.5)3.8 (1.2)3.0 (1.4)Month 12n=135n=47n=238n=2n=4222.5 (1.3)2.7 (1.0)2.8 (1.4)4.3 (2.5)2.7 (1.3)PsAN=117N=36N=135N=0N=288Baselinen=80n=30n=116-n=2262.1 (1.0)2.9 (1.6)2.9 (1.6)2.6 (1.5)Month 12n=32n=13n=60-n=1052.6 (1.9)2.6 (1.6)2.3 (1.4)2.4 (1.5)AxSpAASDAS, n, mean (SD)N=160N=47N=127N=0N=334Baselinen=77n=18n=59-n=1541.6 (0.6)1.8 (0.8)2.3 (0.9)1.9 (0.8)Month 12n=39n=8n=23-n=701.8 (0.9)1.9 (0.6)1.9 (1.0)1.8 (0.9)

N, total number of patients in the treatment group; n, number of patients with available data at each time point, SD, standard deviation

Figure 1.

Overall safety outcomes in patients treated with GP2015

Figure 1 represents the adverse events reported during GP2015 treatment.

N, total number of patients in the treatment; n, number of patients in each treatment group

Conclusion

The results show comparable disease activity scores between pts who were switched from iETN, pts switched from other targeted therapies and biologic-naïve pts after 12 months of treatment with GP2015. No impact on the effectiveness of ETN was observed in pts with RA, axSpA or PsA who switched to GP2015. No new safety signals were reported.

Disclosure of Interests

Marc Schmalzing Speakers bureau: Novartis, AbbVie, Chugai/Roche, Janssen-Cilag, Lilly, Consultant of: AstraZeneca, Chugai/Roche, Hexal/Sandoz, Gilead, AbbVie, Janssen-Cilag, Boehringer/Ingelheim, Grant/research support from: Chugai/Roche, Boehringer/Ingelheim, Celgene, Medac, Herbert Kellner: None declared, Ayman Askari: None declared, Javier de Toro Santos: None declared, JULIO CESAR VAZQUEZ PEREZ-COLEMAN Speakers bureau: Sandoz, Abbvie, Sanofi, Fresenius, Rosario Foti Speakers bureau: Abbivie, Gilead, Lilly, Pfizer, UCB, Roche, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, Sławomir Jeka: None declared, Boulos Haraoui Consultant of: Abbvie, Amgen, Fresenius Kabi, Lilly and Pfizer, Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Amgen, Fresenius Kabi, Lilly and Pfizer, Yannick Allanore Consultant of: Sandoz Hexal, Mylan, Astra-Zeneca, Masiur Rahman Employee of: Sandoz Hexal AG, Fabricio Furlan Employee of: Sandoz Hexal AG, Sohaib HACHAICHI Employee of: Sandoz Hexal AG, Tom Sheeran Speakers bureau: Pfizer, UCB, Roche, Consultant of: Novartis, Pfizer, Grant/research support from: Novartis, UCB, Roche

Rituximab plus leflunomide in rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized, placebo-controlled, investigator-initiated clinical trial (AMARA study)

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficacy and safety of rituximab + LEF in patients with RA.

METHODS

In this investigator-initiated, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial, patients with an inadequate response to LEF who had failed one or more DMARD were randomly assigned 2:1 to i.v. rituximab 1000 mg or placebo on day 1 and 15 plus ongoing oral LEF. The primary efficacy outcome was the difference between ≥50% improvement in ACR criteria (ACR50 response) rates at week 24 (P ≤ 0.025). Secondary endpoints included ACR20/70 responses, ACR50 responses at earlier timepoints and adverse event (AE) rates. The planned sample size was not achieved due to events beyond the investigators' control.

RESULTS

Between 13 August 2010 and 28 January 2015, 140 patients received rituximab (n = 93) or placebo (n = 47) plus ongoing LEF. Rituximab + LEF resulted in an increase in the ACR50 response rate that was significant at week 16 (32 vs 15%; P = 0.020), but not week 24 (27 vs 15%; P = 0.081), the primary endpoint. Significant differences favouring the rituximab + LEF arm were observed in some secondary endpoints, including ACR20 rates from weeks 12 to 24. The rituximab and placebo arms had similar AE rates (71 vs 70%), but the rituximab arm had a higher rate of serious AEs (SAEs 20 vs 2%), primarily infections and musculoskeletal disorders.

CONCLUSION

The primary endpoint was not reached, but rituximab + LEF demonstrated clinical benefits vs LEF in secondary endpoints. Although generally well tolerated, the combination was associated with additional SAEs and requires monitoring.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

EudraCT: 2009-015950-39; ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01244958.

POS0615 TOCILIZUMAB IS SAFE AND EFFECTIVE IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Background:

Average life spans of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are approaching those of the general population. This results in a large proportion of RA patients being elderly at some point and underlines effective RA treatments needed for this population. Pivotal clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of tocilizumab (TCZ) for the treatment of RA. However, real-world studies that explore the effectiveness of TCZ especially in the elderly are lacking. ICHIBAN was a large, observational study that followed patients with RA treated with TCZ under real-world conditions in Germany for up to 2 years.

Objectives:

In this analysis of ICHIBAN, we examined the safety and effectiveness of long-term TCZ treatment according to patient baseline (BL) age (<50, 50–65, >65 years).

Methods:

ICHIBAN (NCT01194401) was a prospective, non-interventional study that observed adult patients with active moderate to severe RA in German rheumatology clinics and practices. Patients were treated with TCZ according to the local label. The safety analyses set (SAF) included all patients who received at least one dose of TCZ. The effectiveness set (EFF) included all patients from the SAF who had no prior TCZ therapy. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were assessed using the visual analogue scale. Last observation carried forward was used to substitute for missing values.

Results:

At baseline (BL), 3,164 patients were included in the SAF: 29.2% <50 years, 47.3% 50–65 years, and 23.5% >65 years old (1.2% ≥80 years). Patients >65 years old were not only the most likely to have comorbidities such as hypertension, anaemia, renal insufficiency, osteoporosis, diabetes, and coronary heart disease, but also had the highest BL disease activity according to Disease Activity Score-28 erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) and Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) (Table 1).

Proportions of patients with adverse events (AEs) considered related to treatment were similar in patients <50 (22.3%), 50–65 (21.9%) and >65 years (22.2%). More patients >65 years (20.2%) and 50–65 years (14.4%) experienced serious AEs (SAEs) than patients <50 years (11.5%). Slightly more patients >65 years old experienced infectious SAEs (4.8%) than younger patients (<50 years, 3.2% and 50–65 years, 3.1%). Yet, similar proportions of patients across all age groups discontinued TCZ due to AE (7.0% <50 years; 9.6% 50–65 years; 7.8% >65 years).

2,902 patients were included in the EFF. Patients <50 years experienced DAS28-ESR remission at least once during the treatment period (65.4%) more often than patients aged 50–65 years (59.8%) or >65 years (59.5%). However, patients >65 years had numerically greater improvements in DAS28-ESR (Table 1). Patients <50 years had the best physical functioning at BL and the greatest reduction in Health Assessment Questionnaire Disease Index (HAQ-DI) score (Figure 1A). All age groups had similar improvements in PROs such as fatigue, strength of pain, and sleep disturbances (Figure 1B).

Table 1.

Model summary for prediction of DAS28CRP using time and etanercept originator (relative to biosimilar)

<50 years50–65 years>65 yearsDAS28-ESR, mean ± SDn*7771237617BL4.9 ± 1.45.3 ± 1.35.4 ± 1.3Last visit2.8 ± 1.73.1 ± 1.73.2 ± 1.7Change from BL-2.0 ± 1.7-2.2 ± 1.7-2.2 ± 1.8CDAI, mean ± SDn*7681217590BL25.7 ± 12.828.4 ± 13.328.8 ± 12.8Last visit13.3 ± 12.814.6 ± 13.214.5 ± 12.8Change from BL-12.5 ± 13.6-13.8 ± 14.0-14.3 ± 13.8

*271 patients with missing data at BL

**327 patients with missing data at BL

Conclusion:

Although elderly patients experienced a higher rate of infections, the proportion of patients withdrawing due to AE was not higher than in the other age groups. Starting with higher baseline disease activity, patients >65 years had similar benefits to disease activity and PROs when compared with younger patients. Overall, these results indicate that long-term TCZ treatment of elderly patients is effective and has an acceptable safety profile.

Disclosure of Interests:

Christof Specker Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Celgene, Chugai, Janssen-Cilag, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, and UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chugai, Lilly, Novartis, Sobi, and UCB, Grant/research support from: Boehringer, Chugai, GSK, and Roche, Martin Aringer Speakers bureau: Roche and Chugai, Consultant of: Roche and Chugai, Grant/research support from: Roche, Gerd Rüdiger Burmester Consultant of: Lilly, Pfizer, Sanofi, and Roche, Grant/research support from: Roche, Marvin Peters Employee of: Roche Pharma AG, Michael W. Hofmann Employee of: Chugai Pharma Germany GmbH, Herbert Kellner Consultant of: Roche, Grant/research support from: Roche, Frank Moosig Grant/research support from: Roche, Hans-Peter Tony Speakers bureau: Roche, Abbvie, BMS, Chugai, Janssen, Novartis, Sanofi, and Lilly, Consultant of: Roche, Abbvie, BMS, Chugai, Janssen, Novartis, Sanofi, and Lilly, Grant/research support from: Roche, Gerhard Fliedner Grant/research support from: Roche, Chugai, Abbvie, and Lilly

POS0296 DOSING OF BDMARDS IN AXSPA AND PSA IN A REAL WORLD SETTING

Background:

The treatment of patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) has been revolutionised by the introduction of biologic DMARDs targeting TNF, IL17, and IL23 inhibitors (i). In Germany, about 30-50% of axSpA and PsA patients receive treatment with bDMARDs. Although many patients benefit from these drugs, in some patients effectiveness of the standard dose may be insufficient and higher doses are used.

Objectives:

To describe dosing of TNFi and non-TNFi bDMARDs over a 2 year period in a real world cohort of patients with axSpA and PsA managed by rheumatologists.

Methods:

RABBIT-SpA is a prospective longitudinal cohort study including axSpA and PsA patients enrolled at the start of a new conventional treatment (including NSAID) or b/tsDMARD treatment. Description of dosing of TNFi (adalimumab bio-original (bo), adalimumab bio-similar (bs), etanercept bo, etanercept bs, golimumab, certolizumab) in comparison to nonTNFi-bDMARDs (secukinumab, ustekinumab, ixekizumab, guselkumab) in axSpA and PsA. Standard dosing was defined according to the current labels for axSpA and PsA.

Results:

1628 patients (axSpA: n=903, PsA: n=725) were included in this analysis. At inclusion mean age was 44 years in axSpA and 51 years in PsA. 44% of patients with axSpA and 58% of those with PsA were female. The mean disease duration of axSpA was 7.6 years, of PsA 6.4 years.

Standard doses of TNFi were used during a 2 year period in > 90% of patients with axSpA and PsA (Figure 1). In contrast, standard doses of non-TNFi-bDMARDs were only used in 70-80% of patients. The percentage of documented higher doses in patients with axSpA ranged from 20-30% at different time points. In PsA, this percentage increased from 27% at baseline to 44% at 2 years. On the other hand, TNFi were used in lower doses than the label in up to 9% and 7 % of patients with axSpA and PsA, respectively, after 2 years.

Figure 1.

Percentages of patients with axSpA or PsA who received less than, equal to, or more than the approved doses of bDMARDs at baseline and at 5 follow-up visits.

Conclusion:

While TNFi are used in licensed doses in most patients, non-TNFi-bDMARDs were often used in higher doses, which corresponds to higher doses approved in other indications like psoriasis. The effectiveness of this treatment strategy in axSpA and PsA needs to be analysed further.

Acknowledgements:

RABBIT-SpA is supported by a joint, unconditional grant from AbbVie, Amgen, Biogen, Hexal, Janssen-Cilag, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, and Viatris.

We thank all participating patients and rheumatologists.

Disclosure of Interests:

Anne Regierer Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Biogen, Hexal, Janssen-Cilag, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, and Viatris., Anja Weiß Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Biogen, Hexal, Janssen-Cilag, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, and Viatris., Denis Poddubnyy: None declared, Herbert Kellner: None declared, Frank Behrens: None declared, Georg Schett: None declared, Juergen Braun: None declared, Joachim Sieper: None declared, Anja Strangfeld Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Biogen, Hexal, Janssen-Cilag, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, and Viatris

POS0608 SWITCHING OF TREATMENT FROM REFERENCE ETANERCEPT TO SANDOZ ETANERCEPT BIOSIMILAR IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATIC DISEASES: AN INTERIM ANALYSIS OF REAL-WORLD DATA FROM THE COMPACT STUDY

Background:

Sandoz etanercept (SDZ ETN) is a biosimilar of etanercept (ETN). COMPACT is an ongoing, non-interventional study, evaluating the effectiveness, safety, and quality of life with SDZ ETN treatment in patients (pts) with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), axial-spondyloarthritis (axSpA) or psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in real-world conditions.

Objectives:

We have reported an interim analysis, with the effectiveness and safety data focusing on pts who were in clinical remission or low disease activity under treatment with reference ETN or biosimilar ETN other than SDZ ETN (initial ETN; iETN) and switched to SDZ ETN.

Methods:

Pts aged ≥18 years for whom treatment with SDZ ETN were initiated are being enrolled. Pts were categorized under four treatment groups based on prior treatment status: Group A,

pts on clinical remission or low disease activity under treatment with iETN and switched to SDZ ETN; Group B, pts who received targeted therapies and switched to SDZ ETN; Group C, biologic naïve considered uncontrolled with conventional therapy; Group D, DMARD naïve with recent diagnosis of RA considered suitable for treatment initiation with a biologic and started on treatment with SDZ ETN. Effectiveness assessments included Disease Activity Score 28-joint count Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (DAS28-ESR) or Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) until Week 24 after enrollment (baseline; BL) in the study. Functional disability was measured by the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI). The effectiveness and safety results are reported for the pts who switched from iETN (Group A).

Results:

Of the 1437 pts recruited (analysis cut-off date: 16 Oct, 2020), 567 pts were switched from iETN, 163 were switched from other targeted therapies, 697 were biologic-naïve, and 10 were RA DMARD-naïve. Among pts who switched from iETN, 51.5% had RA, followed by axSpA (28.0%) and PsA (20.5%). Comorbidities were more frequent in pts with RA (70.2%) followed by PsA (58.6%) and axSpA (49.7%); musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders were reported in 31.8% and 15.7% of pts with RA and axSpA, respectively. At BL, whilst receiving iETN, the mean (SD) DAS28-ESR scores were 2.5 (1.1) and 2.1 (1.1) in pts with RA and PsA, respectively (figure 1). The mean change from BL in DAS28-ESR score at Week 24 after switch to SDZ ETN was -0.1 (1.1) and 0 (1.0) in pts with RA and PsA, respectively. In pts with axSpA, the mean (SD) ASDAS score was 1.5 (0.7) at BL; mean change from BL in ASDAS score at Week 24 was 0.1 (0.5). At BL, the mean (SD) HAQ-DI scores were 0.8 (0.7), 0.5 (0.7) and 0.5 (0.6) in pts with RA, PsA and axSpA, respectively. Overall, the proportion of patients with at least one adverse event (AE) was 37.3%, 33.6% and 25.8% in pts with RA, PsA and axSpA, respectively. Serious AEs were reported in 6.5%, 1.7% and 3.1% of pts with RA, PsA, and axSpA, respectively. Injections site reactions were reported in 2.7%, 0.9% and 1.3% of pts with RA, PsA and axSpA, respectively.

Figure 1.

Disease activity in patients who switched from iETN to SDZ ETN

Conclusion:

The interim analysis results shows that switch from iETN to SDZ ETN does not impact the effectiveness of ETN in pts with RA, axSpA or PsA, without any new safety signals.

Disclosure of Interests:

Marc Schmalzing Speakers bureau: Novartis, AbbVie, Chugai/Roche, Janssen-Cilag, Lilly, Consultant of: AstraZeneca, Chugai/Roche, Hexal/Sandoz, Gilead, AbbVie, Janssen-Cilag, Boehringer/Ingelheim, Grant/research support from: Travel grants: Chugai/Roche, Boehringer/Ingelheim, Celgene, Medac, Ayman Askari: None declared, Tom Sheeran Speakers bureau: Pfizer, UCB, Roche, Consultant of: Novartis, Pfizer, Grant/research support from: Novartis, UCB, Roche, David Walsh: None declared, Javier de Toro Santos: None declared, JULIO CESAR VAZQUEZ PEREZ-COLEMAN Speakers bureau: Sandoz, Abbvie, Sanofi, Fresenius, Charlotte Both Employee of: Sandoz employee Global Medical Affairs, Fabricio Furlan Employee of: Sandoz employee Global Medical Affairs, Sohaib HACHAICHI Employee of: Sandoz employee Global Medical Affairs, Herbert Kellner: None declared

Long-term safety, immunogenicity and efficacy comparing FKB327 with the adalimumab reference product in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis: data from randomised double-blind and open-label extension studies

Background/Objective

FKB327 is a biosimilar of the antitumour necrosis factor adalimumab reference product (RP). A randomised, double-blind (DB) phase 3 study compared the efficacy of FKB327 with the RP in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) inadequately controlled with methotrexate (MTX). A subsequent randomised open-label extension (OLE) study with treatment switching assessed long-term safety, efficacy, pharmacokinetics and immunogenicity of FKB327 compared with the RP.

Methods

Patients with moderate-to-severe, active RA on a stable dose of MTX were randomised 1:1 to receive FKB327 or the RP (40 mg subcutaneously every other week) for 24 weeks. Patients who completed the DB study were enrolled in the OLE and rerandomised 2:1 to receive FKB327 or the RP; two-thirds continued on the same treatment and one-third switched for 30 weeks. All patients received FKB327 through Week 76. Long-term efficacy, safety and immunogenicity were assessed.

Results

Of 728 patients in the DB study, 645 were enrolled in the FKB327-OLE study. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR)20 response rates for all treatment groups at Week 30 in the OLE ranged from 83.2% to 85.9%. ACR20 response rates remained stable for all patients regardless of single- or double-switching treatment and were similar for all treatment sequences through Week 76. The safety profile and incidence of antidrug antibodies were comparable across sequences.

Conclusion

Efficacy, safety and immunogenicity were similar among patients with RA treated with FKB327 or the RP for up to 2 years, and were not affected by single- or double-switching treatment.

Systematic analysis of injection-site pain and reactions caused by subcutaneous administration of the adalimumab biosimilar FKB327 versus the adalimumab reference product via different delivery methods

Introduction/Study objectives: FKB327 is a biosimilar of the adalimumab reference product. Studies in healthy subjects and patients with rheumatoid arthritis demonstrated biosimilarity between FKB327 and the reference product in safety profile, efficacy and immunogenicity. FKB327 formulation excipients differ from the citrate-containing formulation of the reference product, and injection-site pain differences have been reported. The current analysis examines pooled data to assess the amount of injection-site pain resulting from injecting FKB327 using a prefilled syringe, autoinjector, or vial/syringe versus the reference product. Methods: Data from four studies were pooled to compare injection-site pain upon subcutaneous administration of FKB327 versus the reference product. Pooled data were analysed to compare FKB327 with the reference product and to compare the autoinjector, pre-filled syringe and vial/syringe. Results: Data were analysed from 2007 assessments in 1,001 subjects. A linear mixed model of the injection-site pain visual analogue scale score across all studies showed a 12.6-point lower pain score for FKB327 versus the reference product (95% confidence interval, –14.3 to –10.8; p > 0.001). The autoinjector pain score was 4.4 points lower than the vial/syringe (95% confidence interval, –5.9 to –2.8; p > 0.001) and 1.7 points lower than the pre-filled syringe (95% confidence interval, –3.3 to –0.1; p = 0.035). No statistically significant differences were identified for gender, age, body weight, needle gauge, or injection site. Conclusion: FKB327 showed less injection-site pain compared with the reference product. No statistically significant differences were seen in injection-site reactions or related adverse events between FKB327 and the reference product or among FKB327 injection methods.

FRI0054 CHANGES IN DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA) PATIENTS DURING TOCILIZUMAB (TCZ) THERAPY: THE GERMAN NONINTERVENTIONAL ARATA STUDY

Background:

Depression is a common comorbidity in patients with RA and influences perception of disease activity and quality of life. We have previously reported that mean depression scores improved during TCZ therapy in conjunction with reductions in disease activity.1

Objectives:

To evaluate individual changes in depressive symptoms over 52 weeks in RA patients initiating treatment with TCZ.

Methods:

We analyzed data from a large German multicenter observational study of patients with active RA who initiated TCZ therapy during routine clinical care (ML29087 ARATA study;NCT02251860). The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), a self-report questionnaire for depression screening that has been validated in RA, was used to assess symptoms of depression. Patients were classified by baseline BDI-II scores into depression categories of no (BDI-II<14), mild (BDI-II 14-19), moderate (BDI-II 20-28), and severe depression (BDI-II≥29).2Individual changes in BDI-II scores between baseline and week 52 were assessed. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was used as the acute phase reactant in Disease Activity Score-28 joints (DAS28) assessments.

Results:

Of 1155 patients enrolled from 108 clinical centers in Germany between May 2014 and July 2018, 474 completed the BDI-II at baseline (BDI-II cohort); baseline characteristics were similar to those of patients who did not complete the BDI-II. Approximately half of patients in the BDI-II cohort had BDI-II scores indicating no depression (248; 52.3%); the remaining patients had mild (87; 18.4%), moderate (84; 17.7%), or severe (55; 11.6%) depression. The mean (SD) baseline characteristics of the BDI-II cohort were 55.5 (12.5) yrs of age, 75.7% female, 10.6 (9.2) yrs RA duration, 4.9 (1.2) DAS28, and 24.3 (10.2) Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI). Baseline DAS28 and CDAI scores were similar among different depression subgroups, but patients with severe depression were more likely to be female (87.3% vs 70.6% for no depression) and had higher levels of anxiety, suicidal ideation, fatigue, pain, and sleep disturbance than patients with no or milder depression.

A total of 229 of the 474 patients (48.3%) in the BDI-II cohort completed the BDI-II at both baseline and week 52. At 52 weeks, the depression category of approximately half of patients with depressive symptoms at baseline changed to a lower level or no depression (Figure 1). Moderate to large improvements in BDI-II from baseline (>10 points) were reported by 33.3% to 38.5% of patients with baseline depressive symptoms (Figure 2).

Conclusion:

At 52 weeks after initiating TCZ, the depressive disease burden was reduced. Future analyses with a representative patient cohort will be aimed at exploring whether improvements in depression occur independent of reductions in disease activity.

References:

[1]Behrens F et al.Arthritis Rheumatol2019;71(suppl 10):abstr1414.

[2]Smarr KL, Keefer AL.Arthritis Care Res2011;63(S11):S454-66.

Acknowledgments:

This study was sponsored by Chugai Pharma Germany GmbH and Roche Pharma AG. Sharon L. Cross and Kirsten Dahm provided medical writing services supported by Chugai. Statistical analyses were provided by Roche Pharma AG.

Disclosure of Interests:

Frank Behrens Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Janssen, Chugai, Celgene, Lilly and Roche, Consultant of: Pfizer, AbbVie, Sanofi, Lilly, Novartis, Genzyme, Boehringer, Janssen, MSD, Celgene, Roche and Chugai, Gerd Rüdiger Burmester Consultant of: AbbVie Inc, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, Merck, Roche, Pfizer, and UCB Pharma, Speakers bureau: AbbVie Inc, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, Merck, Roche, Pfizer, and UCB Pharma, Martin Feuchtenberger Consultant of: Abbvie, BMS, Chugai, Sanofi, Speakers bureau: Abbvie, BMS, Celgene, Chugai, Jansen-Cilag, Lilly, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, UCB, Herbert Kellner: None declared, Cornelia Kühne Grant/research support from: Novartis, Amgen, Roche/Chugai, Pfizer, Celgene, AbbVie, Sanofi, Anke Liebhaber: None declared, Maren Sieburg: None declared, Siegfried Wassenberg: None declared, Christina Luig Employee of: Roche Pharma AG, Michael W. Hofmann Employee of: Chugai Pharma Germany GmbH, Christopher Amberger Grant/research support from: Chugai Pharma Germany GmbH, Consultant of: Chugai Pharma Germany GmbH

FRI0360 IMPACT OF METHOTREXATE ON DISEASE PATTERN IN ACTIVE PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS PATIENTS ELIGIBLE FOR A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL WITH USTEKINUMAB: COMPARATIVE BASELINE DATA FROM MULTICENTRE INVESTIGATOR-INITIATED MUST TRIAL

Background:

Methotrexate (MTX) is a csDMARD treatment that is initiated as first-line therapy (after NSAID) in active psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Randomized clinical trials mostly require treatment failure or intolerance of csDMARD/MTX therapy before initiation of a biological treatment. We designed an investigator-initiated (IIT) randomised blinded study comparing PsA patients starting open label Ustekinumab (UST) combined with blinded MTX or placebo (PLC). Patients are stratified regarding their previous MTX therapy (continuation or discontinuation of MTX (MTX-pre-treated patients –group A) or newly initiate MTX or continue without MTX (MTX-naïve patients – group B).

Objectives:

To determine disease characteristics of patients with active psoriatic arthritis regarding their skin and musculoskeletal manifestations in dependence of their MTX treatment status.

Methods:

A total of 186 patients with active PsA (defined as TJC ≥4, SJC ≥4 (68/66 joint count) and DAS28 ≥ 3,2) were screened for eligibility. At baseline (BL) 173 patients starting open label UST were randomised to receive either MTX or PLC. At Screening (SCR) and BL, demographic data, PsA and PsO disease activity (joint count (TJC/SJC), enthesitis (LEI), dactylitis (number of digits), PASI, BSA, mtNAPSI), previous medication as well as quality of life (QoL) and function (documented as PRO using DLQI, HAQ and subjects assessment of pain as visual analogue scale (VAS) was documented.

Results:

Our preliminary blinded data export comprised all documented and released data for SCR and BL until Mid-January 2020 - in total 154 randomized patients. Thereof, 78 patients were randomized in group A and 76 in group B. BL characteristics were well balanced between groups (mean age A: 50,7 years vs. 46,4 in B, BMI 29 vs. 29,6 in B). More male were included in B (72% vs. 50 %). In median, patients in A had a disease duration of 2,9 y whereas duration in B was in median 0,3 y. More patients in A had failed previous biological therapy (17 to 6 in B), discontinued due to intolerability or ineffectiveness as allowed for study inclusion. Mean DAS28 was 4,5 (moderate disease activity) for both groups and mean values for SGA, PGA were comparable (SGA: 59,1 vs 54,9 PGA: 61,4 vs. 55.6) reflecting comparable disease activity in peripheral arthritis. Mean LEI was comparable in both groups (A: 1,3 vs B: 1,1). Mean number of digits with dactylitis were slightly higher in B (0,8) than in A (0,2). Overall HAQ showed no differences (1.0 in B vs. 0.8 in A – missing data 45 and 29 resp.) and pain VAS did not differ between groups (A: 54,9 mm vs. 56,6 mm in B). PASI and NAPSI were higher in B at BL than in group A (PASI: 7,2 vs. 3,3, mtNAPSI 5,0 vs. 3,0) and PRO showed a higher skin disease burden experienced by MTX-naïve patients prior randomization: in DLQI more patients on MTX experience “no effect” of their skin disease on QoL (22% vs. 7%) whereas more MTX naïve patients see a “moderate” “large” to “extreme large effect” of their disease on QoL (16%, 11%, 5% in B vs. 10%, 8%, 3% in A).

Conclusion:

Our results give important information about comparability of patient population on MTX or without MTX therapy eligible for biological trials. Despite a comparable disease activity in peripheral arthritis scores, skin disease activity was increased in patients without MTX compared to MTX treated patients. Number of affected digits in dactylitis was lower with MTX, whereas its impact on enthesitis seems to be neglectable.

Disclosure of Interests:

Tanja Rossmanith Grant/research support from: Janssen, BMS, LEO, Pfizer, Michaela Köhm Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Janssen, BMS, LEO, Consultant of: BMS, Pfizer, Speakers bureau: Pfizer, BMS, Janssen, Novartis, Uta Kiltz Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Biogen, Novartis, Pfizer, Consultant of: AbbVie, Biocad, Eli Lilly and Company, Grünenthal, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, UCB, Jürgen Rech Consultant of: BMS, Celgene, Novartis, Roche, Chugai, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Biogen, BMS, Celgene, MSD, Novartis, Roche, Chugai, Pfizer, Lilly, Gerd Rüdiger Burmester Consultant of: AbbVie Inc, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, Merck, Roche, Pfizer, and UCB Pharma, Speakers bureau: AbbVie Inc, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, Merck, Roche, Pfizer, and UCB Pharma, Herbert Kellner: None declared, Anita Bulczak-Schadendorf Grant/research support from: Janssen, Ann Christina Foldenauer: None declared, Harald Burkhardt Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Roche, Abbvie, Consultant of: Sanofi, Pfizer, Roche, Abbvie, Boehringer Ingelheim, UCB, Eli Lilly, Chugai, Bristol Myer Scripps, Janssen, and Novartis, Speakers bureau: Sanofi, Pfizer, Roche, Abbvie, Boehringer Ingelheim, UCB, Eli Lilly, Chugai, Bristol Myer Scripps, Janssen, and Novartis, Frank Behrens Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Janssen, Chugai, Celgene, Lilly and Roche, Consultant of: Pfizer, AbbVie, Sanofi, Lilly, Novartis, Genzyme, Boehringer, Janssen, MSD, Celgene, Roche and Chugai

AB0299 REAL-WORLD ASSESSMENT OF GP2015 (ETANERCEPT BIOSIMILAR, SDZ-ETN): AN INTERIM ANALYSIS OF DATA FROM THE SELF-INJECTION ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS IN THE COMPACT STUDY

Background:

COMPACT is a non-interventional study to collect real-world evidence in European countries and Canada on effectiveness, safety and quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis or psoriatic arthritis patients (pts) treated with SDZ-ETN (GP2015), an approved etanercept biosimilar. The first effectiveness and safety data from the study have been reported earlier1.

Objectives:

This interim analysis assessed patient usage behaviour and feelings of self-administered injection in general and with the auto-injector device using the Self-Injection Assessment Questionnaire (SIAQ) at Week 12 in pts with RA.

Methods:

Pts aged ≥18 years for whom treatment with SDZ ETN were initiated are being enrolled. The SIAQ, a patient questionnaire validated for pts with RA, was developed to assess overall pt experience with subcutaneous self-injection2. It assesses the perceived self-confidence on self-injection, potential barriers, as well as satisfaction with self-injection via device before the first self-injection (PRE module) and after dosing (POST module). The POST module used in COMPACT includes 21 items grouped into six hypothetical domains: “feelings about injection”,“self-image”, “self-confidence”, “injection-site reactions”, “ease of use of self-injection device (SD), and “satisfaction with self-injection”. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise SIAQ POST module data. The results for “ease of use of SD” domain are reported here. The “ease of use of SD” was rated by pts on a 6-point scale: 1 (very difficult) to 6 (very easy).

Results:

Of the 430 pts recruited, pts with RA represented the largest group (59.5%, n=256). Majority of pts with RA (77.7%) had comorbidities. Of the 256 pts with RA, 102 (40%) pts who used SD responded to the questionnaire. Majority of the pts found usage of the SD easy or very easy, for each of the domains assessed (Table). 49 % and 14% of the patients were “comfortable” and “very comfortable”, respectively using the SD. A majority of patients reported to be bothered by pain at the injection site “not at all” or only “a little” (69.6%), and to be bothered by redness “not at all” or only “a little” (89.2%), respectively.

Table.

Overall patient experience with usability of self-injection device at Week 12 (RA population)

Domain: Ease of use of self-injection deviceQuestionsCategory, %Very easyEasySome what easySomewhat difficultDifficultVery difficultN/ARemoval of Cap36.334.316.74.93.92.02.0To depress the device34.342.213.72.92.02.92.0To administer without any help42.235.310.82.02.05.92.0Use of self-injection device38.237.311.83.92.93.92.0

Conclusion:

The interim analysis results, although descriptive, show a clear trend for ease of use and good satisfaction with SDZ-ETN SD in pts with RA.

References:

[1]Schmalzing M, et al.Arthritis Rheumatol. 2019;71 (suppl 10).

[2]Keininger D, et al.Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2011,13;9:2.

Disclosure of Interests:

Herbert Kellner: None declared, Ayman Askari Speakers bureau: Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Thomas Kupka: None declared, Hilke Friccius-Quecke Employee of: Sandoz Hexal AG, Fabricio Furlan Employee of: Sandoz Hexal AG, Sohaib HACHAICHI Employee of: Sandoz Hexal AG, Marc Schmalzing Consultant of: Paid consultant for Hexal AG

OP0020 IMPACT OF BDMARDS WITH DIFFERENT MODES OF ACTION ON FATIGUE IN RA PATIENTS

Background:

Fatigue is an important patient-reported outcome. It has been reported to be potentially targetable by DMARDs with specific modes of action, particularly IL-6 inhibition [1].

Objectives:

To assess to which extent patients on DMARDs with different modes of action reach fatigue levels of 2 or less on a 0 (no fatigue) to 10 (high fatigue) scale after 6 months of treatment.

Methods:

The German register RABBIT is a prospective longitudinally followed cohort of RA patients enrolled with a new start of a DMARD after at least one csDMARD failure. This analysis comprises bionaive patients who were enrolled with start of a b/tsDMARD between 01/2009 and 04/2019, who had at least 1 follow-up, did not switch during the first 3 months and afterwards only within the same substance, and presented fatigue levels of > 2 at baseline.

Poisson regression models with a robust error variance were used to calculate risk ratios (RRs) for reaching fatigue values ≤ 2, for all DMARD modes of action. Propensity score weighting was used to adjust for confounding by indication. Multiple imputation of missing values was performed.

Results:

Baseline fatigue levels were 5.1 overall and 6.1 among patients with a fatigue level of > 2 points on average. They were comparable among different DMARD modes of action. csDMARD patients had lower values than others regarding disease duration, disease activity, or joint erosions (Table 1).

Table 1.

Patient characteristics for different DMARD modes of action

ParametercsDMARDsTNFiRTXABAIL-6JAKiN23762772115166357110Fatigue at baseline5.9 (2)6.1 (2)5.9 (2)5.9 (1.9)6.1 (2)6.3 (1.9)Age [years]58.5 (12.7)56.3 (12.4)62.7 (10.9)59.7 (12.6)57.9 (12.5)61.5 (11.5)Female sex1809 (76.1)2060 (74.3)82 (71.2)118 (71)272 (76.3)79 (70.1)Disease duration [years]6.2 (7.2)8.7 (8.1)10.8 (9.7)9.8 (9.2)7.9 (7.6)8.5 (10)Joint erosions634 (28.4)1358 (50.5)62 (56.8)91 (55.4)158 (46.4)45 (41.3)Prior csDMARD therapies1.3 (0.6)2.3 (1)2.5 (1.1)2.2 (1)2.2 (0.9)1.8 (0.8)DAS28-ESR4.6 (1.2)5 (1.2)5.3 (1.3)5.3 (1.2)5.2 (1.3)4.9 (1.3)% of full physical capacity67.4 (21.6)64.6 (22)57 (23.5)59.5 (21.3)63.8 (20.9)61.6 (23)Glucocorticoid therapy (last 6 months)1161 (48.9)1747 (63)76 (66.4)93 (56)198 (55.5)42 (38.1)Fibromyalgia73 (3.1)111 (4)6 (5.2)7 (4.2)11 (3.1)1 (0.9)Depression180 (7.6)218 (7.9)10 (8.7)14 (8.4)26 (7.3)16 (14.6)Ever smoker1252 (52.7)1497 (54)68 (59)84 (50.7)200 (56)59 (53.5)

Results are presented as mean ± SD or number (percentage). Absolute numbers may be rounded due to multiple imputation.

The RR of IL-6 inhibitors for achieving a fatigue level of ≤ 2 was 1.34 (95% CI: 1.09 – 1.64) compared to csDMARDs. Among other factors, current smoking, prevalent fibromyalgia and depression had a negative impact on achieving a low fatigue level (Table 2).

Table 2.

Risk ratios for achieving fatigue levels ≤2

Parameter (at baseline)RR95% confidence intervalFatigue (1 point higher)0.83(0.80;0.86)TNF inhibitor (vs. csDMARDs)1.11(0.99;1.24)Rituximab (vs. csDMARDs)1.10(0.71;1.68)Abatacept (vs. csDMARDs)1.13(0.82;1.54)IL-6 inhibitor (vs. csDMARDs)1.34(1.09;1.64)JAK inhibitor (vs. csDMARDs)1.19(0.81;1.75)Age (5 years more)0.97(0.95;0.99)Female sex0.83(0.74;0.92)Patient global health (1 point higher)0.97(0.94;0.997)Joint erosions1.19(1.07;1.32)Current smoking0.86(0.76;0.98)Former smoking0.92(0.82;1.04)Fibromyalgia0.56(0.35;0.90)Depression0.75(0.59;0.95)

Conclusion:

Treatment with IL-6 inhibitors significantly increases the chance of reaching low fatigue levels within half a year in RA patients, while current smoking reduces it.

References:

[1]Choy E.H.S. and Calabrese L. H Rheumatology 2018;57:1885-95.

Acknowledgments:

RABBIT is supported by a joint, unconditional grant from AbbVie, Amgen, BMS, Fresenius Kabi, Hexal, Lilly, MSD, Mylan, Pfizer, Roche, Samsung Bioepis, Sanofi-Aventis, and UCB.

Disclosure of Interests:

Martin Schaefer: None declared, Peter Herzer Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Novartis, Sanofi, Janssen, Cornelia Kühne Grant/research support from: Novartis, Amgen, Roche/Chugai, Pfizer, Celgene, AbbVie, Sanofi, Herbert Kellner Grant/research support from: Biogen, Consultant of: Biogen, Speakers bureau: Biogen, Angela Zink Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Amgen, BMS, Gilead, Hexal, Janssen, Lilly, MSD, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi Aventis, UCB, Anja Strangfeld Speakers bureau: AbbVie, BMS, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi-Aventis

FKB327, an adalimumab biosimilar, versus the reference product: results of a randomized, Phase III, double-blind study, and its open-label extension

Objective

To compare the efficacy, serum drug concentrations, immunogenicity, and safety of FKB327 with the adalimumab reference product (RP) in combination with methotrexate in patients with moderate-to-severe, active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

Patients were randomized 1:1 in a double-blind study (NCT02260791), received 40 mg of FKB327 or RP by subcutaneous injection every other week for 24 weeks (Period I), then re-randomized 2:1, remaining on the same study drug or switching to the other up to week 54 in an open-label extension (Period II, NCT02405780). Efficacy was evaluated using American College of Rheumatology (ACR20) response rate difference at week 24 with equivalence margins of ± 13% and − 12% to + 15% using 95% and 90% confidence intervals (CIs), respectively. Efficacy, serum drug concentrations, immunogenicity, and safety were compared at week 54.

Results

A total of 730 patients were randomized in Period I (n = 367 FKB327, n = 363 RP), and 645 transitioned to Period II (n = 216 FKB327–FKB327, n = 108 FKB327–RP, n = 108 RP–FKB327, n = 213 RP–RP). At week 24, ACR20 response rates were 74.1% with FKB327 versus 75.7% with RP. 95% and 90% CI of the response rate difference were − 7.9 to 4.7% and − 7.3 to 3.6%, respectively, meeting predefined equivalence margins. The ACR20 response rate remained over 70% of patients to week 54 with all treatment sequences. In Period I, mean trough serum drug concentrations were slightly higher for patients receiving FKB327 than those receiving RP. Mean concentrations were stable over time and reflected steady state in Period II. The proportions of patients with samples positive for neutralizing antidrug antibodies (ADAs) were comparable (57.7% with FKB327 vs. 55.5% with RP) at week 24, and no consistent difference in ADA were seen between continuous and switched treatments in Period II. Efficacy was slightly reduced in the small proportion of patients with high ADA titers in all treatment groups. No clinically significant differences were observed in the incidence of commonly reported treatment-emergent adverse events between the treatments across Periods I and II.

Conclusion

FKB327 was equivalent to RP in clinical efficacy and demonstrated comparable safety and immunogenicity in patients with moderate-to-severe RA. No effect of switching between FKB327 and RP was observed.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02260791, Registered 29 July 2014.

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02405780, Registered 17 July 2015.

Rituximab in routine care of severe active rheumatoid arthritis : A prospective, non-interventional study in Germany

OBJECTIVE

To assess safety, effectiveness and onset of effect of rituximab (RTX) in routine clinical treatment of severe, active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

Prospective, multi-centre, non-interventional study in rheumatological outpatient clinics or private practices in Germany. RTX-naïve adult patients were to receive RTX according to marketing authorisation and at their physician's discretion. Also according to their physician's discretion, patients could receive a second cycle of RTX (re-treatment = treatment continuation). Major outcome was the change in Disease Activity Score based on 28-joints count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) over 24 weeks and during 6 months of re-treatment.

RESULTS

Overall, 1653 patients received at least one cycle RTX; 99.2% of these had received disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) pre-treatment and 75.5% anti-tumor necrosis factor(TNF)‑α pre-treatment. After a mean interval of 8.0 months, 820 patients received RTX re-treatment. Mean DAS28-ESR decreased from 5.3 at baseline to 3.8 after 24 weeks (-1.5 [95% confidence interval, CI: -1.6; -1.4]), and from 4.1 at start of cycle 2 to 3.5 at study end (change from baseline: -1.8 [95% CI: -2.0; -1.7]). Improvements in DAS28-ESR and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) score occurred mainly during the first 12 weeks of RTX treatment, with further DAS28-ESR improvement until week 24 or month 6 of re-treatment. Improvements in DAS28-ESR and EULAR responses were more pronounced in seropositive patients. RF was a predictor of DAS28-ESR change to study end. Safety analysis showed the established profile of RTX.

CONCLUSION

RTX was safe and effective in a real-life setting with rapid and sustained improvement in RA signs and symptoms.

[Rheumatism and gastroenterology]

BACKGROUND

Gastroenterological and rheumatological diseases often have a systemic character, with disease manifestations beyond the area affected by the disease. Common disease-relevant pathophysiological pathways, e.g. chronic inflammation, may present primarily as rheumatological or gastroenterological disease. Knowledge of disease-specific symptoms and signs beyond one's own area of expertise my lead to an earlier and more precise diagnosis, with the chance of a more focused therapy.

AIM

The aim of this overview is to sensitize orthopedists as well as rheumatologists to gastroenterological signs and symptoms and give them a clinical guide to approaching an interdisciplinary patient. Targeted, clinically relevant questions are discussed and common disease entities are presented.

Early and late responses in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who were conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug inadequate responders and were treated with tocilizumab or switched to rituximab: an open-label phase 3 trial (MIRAI)

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate early and late responses in biological-naïve patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) initiating tocilizumab and early tocilizumab non-responders who switched to rituximab.

METHODS

In this open-label, non-randomised phase 3 study, RA patients with inadequate response to conventional synthetic DMARDs received tocilizumab 8 mg/kg intravenously at study begin and weeks 4, 8 and 12. After evaluation at week 16, early responders (Disease Activity Score based on 28 joints-erythrocyte sedimentation rate [DAS28-ESR] <2.6) completed the study; partial responders (DAS28-ESR decrease >1.2 or DAS28-ESR ≥2.6-≤3.2) were to continue tocilizumab through week 28; non-responders (DAS28-ESR decrease ≤1.2) switched to rituximab (1000 mg, weeks 16 and 18) with safety follow-up through week 66.

RESULTS

Of 519 patients, 222 (42.8%) achieved early DAS28-ESR remission at week 16; 240 patients continued treatment, 213 (41.0%) received tocilizumab, and 27 (5.2%) switched to rituximab. At week 32 DAS28-ESR remission was achieved by 117/213 patients (54.9%) who continued tocilizumab and 4/27 patients (14.8%) who switched to rituximab; good EULAR response was achieved by 66.7% and 25.9% and CDAI remission by 19.2% and 14.8% of patients, respectively. Serious adverse events occurred through week 32 in 45/490 patients (9.2%) who received tocilizumab (serious infections, 2.7%) and through week 66 in 8/27 patients (29.6%) who switched to rituximab.

CONCLUSIONS

Early response to tocilizumab was observed in 42.8% of patients. Half of early partial responders benefitted from continuing tocilizumab. Switching non-responders to rituximab seems feasible. No new safety signals were observed in patients treated with tocilizumab or switched to rituximab.

Effects of BI 655064, an antagonistic anti-CD40 antibody, on clinical and biomarker variables in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase IIa study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety, efficacy and therapeutic mechanism of BI 655064, an antagonistic anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and an inadequate response to methotrexate (MTX-IR).

METHODS

In total, 67 patients were randomised to receive weekly subcutaneous doses of 120 mg BI 655064 (n=44) or placebo (n=23) for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients who achieved 20% improvement in American College of Rheumatology criteria (ACR20) at week 12. Safety was assessed in patients who received at least one dose of study drug.

RESULTS

At week 12, the primary endpoint was not met, with 68.2% of patients treated with BI 655064 achieving an ACR20 vs 45.5% with placebo (p=0.064); using Bayesian analysis, the posterior probability of seeing a difference greater than 35% was 42.9%. BI 655064 was associated with greater changes in CD40-CD40L pathway-related markers, including reductions in inflammatory and bone resorption markers (interleukin-6, matrix metalloproteinase-3, receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand), concentration of autoantibodies (immunoglobulin [Ig]G rheumatoid factor [RF], IgM RF, IgA RF) and CD95+ activated B-cell subsets. No serious adverse events (AEs) related to BI 655064 treatment or thromboembolic events occurred; reported AEs were mainly of mild intensity.

CONCLUSION

Although blockade of the CD40-CD40L pathway with BI 655064 in MTX-IR patients with RA resulted in marked changes in clinical and biological parameters, including reductions in activated B-cells, autoantibody production and inflammatory and bone resorption markers, with a favourable safety profile, clinical efficacy was not demonstrated in this small phase IIa study.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT01751776.

Wenn es im Rücken und den Gelenken zwickt und der Bauch grummelt

Liebe Kollegin, lieber Kollege,

diese Erfahrungen machen Patienten mit rheumatischen Erkrankungen täglich. Zwischen rheumatischen und gastroenterologischen Erkrankungen gibt es eine Vielzahl von Berührungspunkten, die sowohl bei Diagnostik als auch Therapie beachtet werden müssen. So sollte der umsichtige Rheumatologe bei primär rheumatischen Erkrankungen auch an mögliche gastroenterologische Organmanifestationen denken.

REMISSIONPLUS eine Initiative zur Integration moderner Bildgebung in die rheumatologische Versorgung Rückblick, Einblick, Ausblick: Auswertung der Niederfeld-MRT Daten

Bildgebende Verfahren nehmen heute bei der Diagnosestellung und Therapiekontrolle der Rheumatoiden Arthritis (RA) eine unverzichtbare Rolle ein. Die Initiative REMISSIONPLUS hat seit 2006 über 10 Jahre das Ziel verfolgt, moderne bildgebende Verfahren wie die Arthrosonografie und die Magnetresonanztomografie (MRT) in den klinischen Alltag des Rheumatologen zu implementieren. Neben Schulungen (über 3 000 Rheumatologen in über 200 Veranstaltungen) wurden zahlreiche Bildgebungs- Studien durchgeführt. Erstmals werden jetzt zusammenhängend alle Niederfeld-MRT Daten aus der Initiative vorgestellt. Die Ergebnisse dieser multizentrischen Studie zeigen, dass die Niederfeld-MRT für RA Patienten eine komfortable Untersuchungsmethode darstellt und für den Rheumatologen die Möglichkeit bietet, effektiv und sehr genau Therapieeffekte (DMARD, Biologika) zu kontrollieren. Die MRT-Daten korrelierten hierbei signifikant mit Klinik und Labor. Mit der Methode ist es ferner möglich bei RA-Patienten subklinische Arthritiszeichen zu detektieren, zum anderen konnte fortschreitende radiologische Progression (Erosivität), trotz klinischer Remission („silent progression") erkannt werden. Diese Ergebnisse sind konventionell radiologisch nicht zu gewinnen, sodass der Einsatz der MRT neue Einblicke in die Pathogenese und konsekutiv neue Informationen für das Management der RA liefert. Die Bewertung dieser Vorteile und der Benefit für den Patienten im klinischen Alltag muss in weiteren Studien untersucht und diskutiert werden.

Long-term effects of secukinumab on MRI findings in relation to clinical efficacy in subjects with active ankylosing spondylitis: an observational study

INTRODUCTION

A 28-week study suggested efficacy of the anti-interleukin-17A monoclonal antibody secukinumab in active ankylosing spondylitis (AS). MRI-assessed inflammation was reduced at weeks 6, 28.

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the longer-term effects of secukinumab on MRI inflammatory and non-inflammatory spinal lesions in relation to its clinical efficacy in subjects with active AS.

METHODS

Spinal MRI results (baseline, week 94) for 13 subjects with AS initially treated with secukinumab 2×10 mg/kg intravenously (n=10) or placebo (n=3) and receiving a secukinumab maintenance dose of 3 mg/kg IV every 4 weeks up to week 94 were evaluated by the Berlin score; inflammatory/non-inflammatory (fatty) changes were assessed at vertebral edges (VEs). Results were compared with clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

Most of the 13 subjects assessed at week 94 had sustained clinical responses: 8 (62%) achieved Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society 20% (ASAS20), including 6 (46%) achieving ASAS40 responses, corresponding to 75% and 83% reductions in the Berlin score, respectively. In the 10 subjects treated with secukinumab throughout the study period, 79/91 (87%) inflammatory VEs at baseline resolved by week 94; new fatty lesions occurred in 39/796 (4.9%) of VEs; 87/124 (70%) VEs with fatty lesions at baseline remained unchanged; 30% were no longer visible.

CONCLUSIONS

In this pilot study, secukinumab treatment up to 2 years yielded sustained clinical improvement accompanied by regression of spinal inflammation. The impact of secukinumab on the development of fatty changes and bone formation in AS will be assessed in larger trials.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00809159.

Infliximab efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis after an inadequate response to etanercept or adalimumab: results of a target-driven active switch study

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate efficacy of infliximab with response-driven dosing in patients with active RA.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Patients (n = 203) with active RA despite methotrexate + etanercept/adalimumab, participated in this active-infliximab-switch study. Infliximab 3 mg/kg was infused at Weeks 0, 2, 6, 14, and 22 with escalation to 5 or 7 mg/kg depending on EULAR response at Weeks 14 and 22. The primary endpoint was EULAR response at Week 10. Safety was assessed through Week 30. Infliximab levels and antibodies to infliximab (ATI) were measured at Weeks 0, 6, 14, and 26.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT 00714493, EudraCT 2007-003288-36.

RESULTS

Of 197 evaluable patients, 120/77 previously received etanercept/adalimumab. Baseline mean (SD) swollen and tender joint counts were 17.3 (10.54) and 30.2 (16.89), respectively; mean DAS28-ESR was 6.19 (0.981). At Week 10, 98 (49.7%; 95% CI: 42.6%, 56.9%) patients achieved EULAR response, with a significantly improved DAS28-ESR score (mean [SD] change -1.1 [1.15]; p < 0.001). EULAR response was achieved by 41.7%/62.3% of patients previously receiving etanercept/adalimumab (p = 0.006). At Week 26, 51.8% (95% CI: 44.6%, 58.9%) of patients achieved or maintained EULAR response. Infliximab dose was escalated in 100 patients, 52% of whom achieved EULAR response at Week 26. Median serum concentration levels at Week 26 showed that dose escalation helped EULAR non-responders achieve levels similar to or higher than the levels seen in responders. ATI were associated with lower serum concentrations of infliximab, consistent with lower efficacy rates among ATI-positive patients.

CONCLUSION

Infliximab, in treat-to-target settings with individual dose escalation, demonstrated significant efficacy at Weeks 10 and 26 in patients switched to infliximab after inadequate response to etanercept/adalimumab. The observed efficacy indicated that the switch to infliximab and ability to increase dose in a targeted fashion were beneficial.

KEY LIMITATIONS

Given the relatively short duration of study follow-up, these safety findings require confirmation in a longer-term study.

One-year efficacy and safety results of secukinumab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: phase II, dose-finding, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the longer-term safety and efficacy of secukinumab, a fully human monoclonal antiinterleukin-17A antibody, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

METHODS

In this 52-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled (up to Week 20) study (NCT00928512), patients responding inadequately to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) or biologics were randomized to receive monthly subcutaneous injections of secukinumab (25, 75, 150, or 300 mg), or placebo. The efficacy and safety results up to Week 20 have been reported previously. Here, efficacy results from Week 20 to 52 and safety results from Week 20 to 60 are presented.

RESULTS

Of 237 patients randomized, 174 (73.4%) completed the study. Patients with improved American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28) C-reactive protein (CRP) responses at Week 16 sustained their responses through Week 52. In patients taking 150 mg of secukinumab, responses were improved through Week 52 (ACR50: Week 16 = 45%, Week 52 = 55%; DAS28-CRP ≤ 2.6: Week 16 = 25%, Week 52 = 40%). The rate of adverse events (AE) from weeks 20 to 60 was 64.8%, with most AE being mild to moderate in severity. The overall rate of infections was 31.9%, most being mild. The most predominant infection was nasopharyngitis, and was not associated with dose or concurrent neutropenia. Serious AE were reported in 21 patients (8.9%). There were 3 reports of malignancies (ovarian, lung, basal cell), and no deaths between weeks 20 and 60.

CONCLUSION

Patients with active RA who failed to respond to DMARD and other biologics showed an improvement after longterm treatment with 150 mg of secukinumab. The frequency of AE remained stable over time and secukinumab had a consistent safety profile over 60 weeks.