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IMPORTANCE: Noninfectious uveitis is a leading cause of visual impairment with an unmet need for additional treatment options. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of filgotinib, a Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) preferential inhibitor, for the treatment of noninfectious uveitis. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The HUMBOLDT trial was a double-masked, placebo-controlled, phase 2, randomized clinical trial conducted from July 2017 to April 2021 at 26 centers in 7 countries. Eligible participants (aged ≥18 years) had active noninfectious intermediate uveitis, posterior uveitis, or panuveitis despite at least 2 weeks of treatment with oral prednisone (10-60 mg per day). INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive filgotinib, 200 mg, or placebo orally once daily for up to 52 weeks. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary end point was the proportion of participants experiencing treatment failure by week 24. Treatment failure was a composite end point represented by assessment of the presence of chorioretinal and/or retinal vascular lesions, best-corrected visual acuity, and anterior chamber cell and vitreous haze grades. Safety was assessed in participants who received at least 1 dose of study drug or placebo. RESULTS: Between July 26, 2017, and April 22, 2021, 116 participants were screened, and 74 (mean [SD] age, 46 [16] years; 43 female [59.7%] of 72 participants, as 2 participants did not receive treatment doses) were randomly assigned to receive filgotinib (n = 38) or placebo (n = 36). Despite early termination of the trial for business reasons ahead of meeting enrollment targets, a significantly reduced proportion of participants who received filgotinib experienced treatment failure by week 24 vs placebo (12 of 32 participants [37.5%] vs 23 of 34 participants [67.6%]; difference vs placebo −30.1%; 95% CI, −56.2% to −4.1%; P = .006). Business reasons were unrelated to efficacy or safety. Adverse events were reported in 30 of 37 participants (81.1%) who received filgotinib and in 24 of 35 participants (68.6%) who received placebo. Serious adverse events were reported in 5 of 37 participants (13.5%) in the filgotinib group and in 2 of 35 participants (5.7%) in the placebo group. No deaths were reported during the trial. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Results of this randomized clinical trial show that filgotinib lowered the risk of treatment failure in participants with active noninfectious intermediate uveitis, posterior uveitis, or panuveitis vs placebo. Although the HUMBOLDT trial provided evidence supporting the efficacy of filgotinib in patients with active noninfectious uveitis, the premature termination of the trial prevented collection of additional safety or efficacy information of this JAK1 preferential inhibitor. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03207815

ObjectiveAnalyse the integrated safety profile of evobrutinib, a Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTKi), using pooled data from multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) trials.MethodsPhase II, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial data were analysed (N=1083; MS: n=213, 48 weeks (W); RA: n=390, 12W; SLE: n=480, 52W). The analysis included all patients who received ≥1 dose of evobrutinib (25 mg or 75 mg once daily, or 50 mg or 75 mgtwice daily) or placebo. Descriptive statistics and exposure-adjusted incidence rates (EAIR) were used to report treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs).ResultsData from 1083 patients were pooled: evobrutinib, n=861; placebo, n=271 (sum >1083 due to MS trial design: n=49 received both placebo (W0–24) and evobrutinib 25 mg (W25–48)); median follow-up time (pt-years): evobrutinib, 0.501; placebo, 0.463. Across indications, the proportion of patients with TEAEs and the EAIR were similar for evobrutinib and placebo (66.2% (247.6 events/100 pt-years) vs 62.4% (261.4 events/100 pt-years)). By indication, the EAIR (events/100 pt-years) of TEAEs for evobrutinib versus placebo were: MS: 119.7 vs 148.3; RA: 331.8 vs 306.8; SLE: 343.0 vs 302.1. Two fatal events occurred (in SLE). The serious infections EAIR was 2.7 and 2.1 events/100 pt-years for evobrutinib and placebo. For previously reported BTKi-class effects, the EAIR of transient elevated alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase TEAEs (events/100 pt-years) with evobrutinib versus placebo was 4.8 vs 2.8/3.5 vs 0.7, respectively. IgG levels were similar in evobrutinib/placebo-treated patients.ConclusionsThis is the first BTKi-integrated safety analysis that includes patients with MS. Overall, evobrutinib treatment (all doses) was generally well tolerated across indications.Trial registration numbersNCT02975349, NCT03233230, NCT02975336.

A study aims to describe the outcomes of a 10-year cohort of pregnancies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and to evaluate clinical and laboratory markers for adverse outcomes. All pregnancies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus who are seen at Stanford University from 1991 to 2001 are reviewed.

Background: Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs may confer greater benefits when combined with the antimetabolite methotrexate. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of leflunomide versus placebo when added to ongoing, stable-dose methotrexate therapy in patients with persistently active rheumatoid arthritis. Design: 24-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Setting: 20 centers in the United States and Canada. Patients: Patients with persistent rheumatoid arthritis, as defined by American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria, despite receiving methotrexate for at least 6 months. Intervention: Leflunomide or matching placebo added to existing methotrexate therapy. Measurements: The primary efficacy variable was the rate of achievement of 20% improvement in ACR criteria (ACR20) at the end of the study. The Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index was assessed at each visit, and the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form was completed as an end point analysis. Results: In the leflunomide and placebo groups, 46.2% and 19.5% of patients, respectively, met ACR20 criteria at 24 weeks (P Conclusions: Combination therapy with leflunomide and methotrexate provides statistically significant clinical benefit in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis who are receiving methotrexate therapy. Leflunomide plus methotrexate is generally well tolerated and can be used safely with appropriate liver enzyme and hematologic monitoring.

This discussion was selected from the diagnostic rounds at Stanford University Medical Center. It has been edited by Edward D. Harris, Jr., MID, Professor of Medicine. (Genovese MC. Fever, rash, [...]

Many of the rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, have fairly constant disease activity levels. Unlike these, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) features episodic exacerbations, or flares. The exact features which constitute a flare have not been defined, and the two indexes used to grade lupus disease activity do not incorporate the idea of flare or changes in disease activity. It is important, however, to be able to identify such flares and to distinguish their effects on organ function from progressive organ damage caused by previous disease activity. In this study, 185 patients with SLE were evaluated at least four times per year. Their conditions were studied with their physician's overall assessment of disease activity and by using two other indices, the Lupus Activity Index (LAI) and the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). An increase of 1.0, out of a total of 0 to 3.0, on the physicians' overall assessment of disease activity was used to define a flare. Of the 185 patients, 98 had 146 flares, yielding an incidence of flares of 0.65 per patient-year during follow-up after initial examinations. The average time between the initial visit to flare was 12 months. Both the indices had a statistically significant increase in assessed disease activity, but a greater percentage of change was needed to identify a flare when the LAI was used, compared with the SLEDAI. The most common changes associated with flares were in the skin, muscles and joints, levels of fatigue, and blood levels of complement (a group of proteins that destroy bacteria and other cells). Drug therapy was changed in 45 to 52 percent of patients during the first and subsequent flares, respectively. Decreased dosage of steroids preceded 28 percent of flares. Patients with flares had significantly more SLE symptoms when first examined and had participated in the study for a longer period of time than patients who did not experience a flare. The study indicates that flares are common in patients who have had SLE for a long time, and that these flares can be measured by indices of disease activity. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

To develop updated guidelines for the pharmacologic management of rheumatoid arthritis. We developed clinically relevant population, intervention, comparator, and outcomes (PICO) questions. After conducting a systematic literature review, the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to rate the certainty of evidence. A voting panel comprising clinicians and patients achieved consensus on the direction (for or against) and strength (strong or conditional) of recommendations. The guideline addresses treatment with disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), including conventional synthetic DMARDs, biologic DMARDs, and targeted synthetic DMARDs, use of glucocorticoids, and use of DMARDs in certain high‐risk populations (i.e., those with liver disease, heart failure, lymphoproliferative disorders, previous serious infections, and nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease). The guideline includes 44 recommendations (7 strong and 37 conditional). This clinical practice guideline is intended to serve as a tool to support clinician and patient decision‐making. Recommendations are not prescriptive, and individual treatment decisions should be made through a shared decision‐making process based on patients’ values, goals, preferences, and comorbidities.

ObjectiveThe long-term safety and efficacy of filgotinib (from phase II studies), with or without methotrexate (MTX), for the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis was assessed in DARWIN 3, a long-term, open-label extension study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02065700).MethodsEligible patients completing the 24-week DARWIN 1 (filgotinib + MTX) and DARWIN 2 (filgotinib monotherapy) studies entered DARWIN 3, where they received filgotinib 200 mg/day, except for 15 men who received filgotinib 100 mg/day. Safety analyses were performed using the safety analysis set and the exposure-adjusted incidence rate (EAIR) of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) was calculated. Efficacy was assessed from baseline in the parent studies.ResultsOf 790 patients completing the phase II parent studies, 739 enrolled in the study. Through April 2019, 59.5% of patients had received ≥ 4 years of the study drug. Mean (SD) exposure to filgotinib was 3.55 (1.57) years in the filgotinib + MTX group and 3.38 (1.59) years in the filgotinib monotherapy group. EAIR per 100 patient-years of exposure for TEAEs was 24.6 in the filgotinib + MTX group and 25.8 in the filgotinib monotherapy group, and for serious TEAEs, the EAIR was 3.1 and 4.3, respectively. American College of Rheumatology 20/50/70 responses among patients remaining in the study could be maintained through 4 years, with 89.3%/69.6%/49.1% of the filgotinib + MTX group and 91.8%/69.4%/44.4% of the monotherapy group maintaining ACR20/50/70 responses, respectively, based on observed data.ConclusionFilgotinib was well tolerated with a 4-year safety profile comparable to that of the parent trials, both in patients receiving combination therapy with MTX or as monotherapy.

Objective.To evaluate the efficacy and safety of poseltinib (formerly LY3337641/HM71224), an irreversible covalent inhibitor of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase in a 2-part, phase II trial (RAjuvenate; ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02628028) in adults with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods.In Part A, 36 patients with mildly active RA were randomized 1:1:1:1 to oral poseltinib 5, 10, or 30 mg or placebo once daily for 4 weeks to assess safety and tolerability. No safety signals precluded moving to Part B, where 250 patients with moderate-to-severe RA were randomized 1:1:1:1 to oral poseltinib 5 mg (n = 63), 10 mg (n = 62), or 30 mg (n = 63), or placebo (n = 62) once daily for 12 weeks. Parts A and B permitted stable doses of background disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. The primary endpoint in Part B was proportion of patients achieving 20% improvement in American College of Rheumatology criteria (ACR20) at Week 12. Logistic regression compared each poseltinib dose to placebo for primary and secondary endpoints. Nonresponder imputation was used for missing data.Results.After interim analysis showed low likelihood of demonstrating significant efficacy, the sponsor discontinued Part B of the study. One hundred and eighty-nine (76%) patients completed 12 weeks in Part B; 61 discontinued study treatment (27 [44%] due to study termination by sponsor). There was no statistically significant difference in ACR20 response between any dose of poseltinib and placebo at Week 12 (P> 0.05 for all comparisons). Five serious adverse events occurred (n = 2, placebo; n = 3, 30 mg); there was 1 death due to a fall.Conclusion.While no safety findings precluded continuation, the study was terminated after interim data demonstrated low likelihood of benefit in RA.

Patients who have had inadequate response to tumour necrosis factor inhibitors have fewer treatment options and are generally more treatment refractory to subsequent therapeutic interventions than previously untreated patients. We report the efficacy and safety of ixekizumab, a monoclonal antibody that selectively targets interleukin-17A, in patients with active psoriatic arthritis and previous inadequate response to tumour necrosis factor inhibitors.

Objective.Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a disfiguring inflammatory breast disease without effective treatment. We report the largest IGM cohort treated with methotrexate (MTX) monotherapy.Methods.Chart review was performed on patients evaluated by the Stanford Immunology and Rheumatology Clinic, with histopathologically established IGM treated with MTX, and at least 1 followup appointment.Results.Nineteen female patients with a mean age of 33.5 years were identified. Most failed treatment with antibiotics, prednisone, and surgical intervention. By 15 months of treatment with MTX, 94% had disease improvement and 75% achieved disease remission.Conclusion.MTX monotherapy is an effective treatment for IGM.

Introduction: Peficitinib is a novel orally bioavailable, once-daily Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor approved in Japan for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This 2-year extension study of two global phase IIb trials investigated the long-term safety and effectiveness of peficitinib. Methods: All eligible patients with moderate-to-severe RA including patients in the placebo group who participated in one of two global phase IIb trials (‘with methotrexate’ or ‘without methotrexate’) were included in this 2-year open-label extension study and were converted to peficitinib 100 mg once daily. The primary objective was to evaluate an additional 2 years of safety by assessing treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) and clinical laboratory evaluations for 105 weeks. Evaluation of an additional 2 years of effectiveness using American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20/50/70 responses was the exploratory objective. Results: Overall, 611 patients were enrolled in the extension study: 319 (52.2%) patients completed the study and 292 (48%) discontinued treatment, including for withdrawal of patient consent (n= 96), failure to achieve low disease activity (n= 62), and AE not including death (n= 41). AEs were reported in 463 (76%) patients. The most common AEs (per 100 patient-years) were upper respiratory tract infections (9.9) and urinary tract infections (7.2). Serious AEs were reported in 80 (13%) patients, with incidences per 100 patient-years of serious infections 2.7, herpes zoster 1.5 (including one herpes zoster ophthalmic), and malignancies 0.6 (most frequently basal cell carcinoma). At week 105, 269 (44%) patients demonstrated an ACR20 response relative to their respective phase IIb trial baselines. Conclusion: Among 319 patients who completed this 2-year extension of two global phase IIb studies, peficitinib 100 mg once daily demonstrated a stable safety profile and sustained effectiveness in patients with moderate-to-severe RA. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT01711814. Registered 19 October 2012. Funding: Astellas Pharma Global Development, Inc.

Introduction: Many rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients do not achieve their treatment goals and experience symptoms that affect psychosocial outcomes and daily activities. This study aimed to identify and quantify the unmet needs perceived by US patients with RA currently taking a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD). Methods: A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted with RA patients recruited through CreakyJoints, an online patient support community, and ArthritisPower®, an online patient research registry, from December 2017 to January 2018. Participant patients were aged ≥ 21 years, failed ≥ 1 DMARDs, and were receiving their current DMARD(s) for ≥ 6 months; they answered 50 questions about treatment history, RA symptoms, and flares and completed the Rheumatoid Arthritis Impact of Disease (RAID) questionnaire and the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM). Treatment satisfaction was defined by a TSQM global satisfaction score ≥ 80. Results: Of 415 patients screened, 258 (62%) were eligible and completed the survey; 87% were women, and 87% white, with mean (SD) age of 54.5 (11.4) years. A total of 232 patients (90%) had current or past biologic DMARD (bDMARD) use, with 67% currently on a bDMARD, 65% on ≥ 1 conventional synthetic DMARD, and 40% on methotrexate. Forty-three percent of patients reported daily/almost daily use of prescription pain medications, and 44% reported a current flare. Mean (SD) TSQM scores were 59 [20] for effectiveness, 59 [26] for side effects, 72 [18] for convenience, and 65 [21] for global satisfaction. The mean (SD) RAID overall score was 5.1 (2.0) on a 0–10 scale. Only 26% (67 patients) were satisfied with their RA treatment. Patients not satisfied with treatment reported higher RAID scores overall and by domain, and approximately half reported a current flare. Conclusions: Results from this real-world survey suggest that three-fourths of RA patients are not satisfied with treatments, which include bDMARDs. Patients continued to experience bothersome symptoms that impacted their daily activities and life. There remains a need for improved disease management among currently treated RA patients. Funding: Eli Lilly and Company (Indianapolis, IN, USA).

Objective.Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used in a phase IIb study of baricitinib in patients with RA to support dose selection for the phase III program.Methods.Three hundred one patients with active RA who were taking stable methotrexate were randomized 2:1:1:1:1 to placebo or once-daily baricitinib (1, 2, 4, or 8 mg) for up to 24 weeks. One hundred fifty-four patients with definitive radiographic erosion had MRI of the hand/wrist at baseline and at weeks 12 and 24. Two expert radiologists, blinded to treatment and visit order, scored images for synovitis, osteitis, bone erosion, and cartilage loss. Combined inflammation (osteitis + 3× synovitis score) and total joint damage (erosion + 2.5× cartilage loss score) scores were calculated. Treatment groups were compared using ANCOVA adjusting for baseline scores.Results.Mean changes from baseline to Week 12 for synovitis were −0.10, −1.50, and −1.60 for patients treated with placebo, baricitinib 4 mg, and baricitinib 8 mg, respectively (p = 0.003 vs placebo for baricitinib 4 and 8 mg). Mean changes for osteitis were 0.00, −3.20, and −2.10 (p = 0.001 vs placebo for baricitinib 4 mg and p = 0.037 for 8 mg), respectively. Mean changes for bone erosion were 0.90, 0.10, and 0.40 (p = 0.089 for 4 mg and p = 0.275 for 8 mg), respectively, in these treatment groups.Conclusion.MRI findings in this subgroup of patients suggest suppression of synovitis, osteitis, and combined inflammation by baricitinib 4 and 8 mg. This corroborates previously demonstrated clinical efficacy of baricitinib and increases confidence that baricitinib 4 mg could reduce the radiographic progression in phase III studies. [Clinical trial registration number (www.ClinicalTrials.gov): NCT01185353]

Objective.Baricitinib is an oral, once-daily selective Janus kinase (JAK1/JAK2) inhibitor for adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We evaluated baricitinib’s safety profile through 288 weeks (up to September 1, 2016) with an integrated database [8 phase III/II/Ib trials, 1 longterm extension (LTE)].Methods.The “all-bari-RA” group included patients who received any baricitinib dose. Placebo comparison was based on the 6 studies with 4 mg and placebo up to Week 24 (“placebo-4 mg” dataset). Dose response assessment was based on 4 studies with 2 mg and 4 mg including LTE data (“2 mg-4 mg–extended”). The uncommon events description used the non-controlled all-bari-RA.Results.There were 3492 patients who received baricitinib for 6637 total patient-years (PY) of exposure (median 2.1 yrs, maximum 5.5 yrs). No differences in rates of death, adverse events leading to drug discontinuation, malignancies, major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), or serious infections were seen for 4 mg versus placebo or for 4 mg versus 2 mg. Infections including herpes zoster were significantly more frequent for 4 mg versus placebo. Deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism were reported with 4 mg but not placebo [all-bari-RA incidence rate (IR) 0.5/100 PY]; the IR did not differ between doses (0.5 vs 0.6/100 PY, 2 mg vs 4 mg, respectively) or compared to published RA rates. All-bari-RA had 6 cases of lymphoma (IR 0.09/100 PY), 3 gastrointestinal perforations (0.05/100 PY), 10 cases of tuberculosis (all in endemic areas; 0.15/100 PY), and 22 all-cause deaths (0.33/100 PY). IR for malignancies (0.8/100 PY) and MACE (0.5/100 PY) were low and did not increase with prolonged exposure.Conclusion.In this integrated analysis of patients with moderate to severe active RA with exposure up to 5.5 years, baricitinib has an acceptable safety profile in the context of demonstrated efficacy. Trial registration numbers: NCT01185353, NCT00902486, NCT01469013, NCT01710358, NCT01721044, NCT01721057, NCT01711359, and NCT01885078 at clinicaltrials.gov.

The aim was to assess patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with filgotinib during two phase 2b, 24-week, randomized, placebo-controlled studies. Patients with moderate-to-severe active RA and an inadequate response to methotrexate (MTX) were randomized to daily placebo or filgotinib 50 mg, 100 mg, or 200 mg as add-on therapy to MTX (NCT01888874) or as monotherapy (NCT01894516). At week 12, nonresponders receiving filgotinib 50 mg in both studies or placebo in the add-on study, and all patients receiving placebo as monotherapy, were re-assigned to filgotinib 100 mg. PROs were measured using the Health Assessment Questionnaire - Disability Index (HAQ-DI) including Patient Pain assessed by visual analog scale, and the Patient Global Assessment of Disease Activity (Patient Global), the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT)-Fatigue Scale (Version 4), and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). At week 12, improvements in all PROs, apart from the SF-36 mental component in the add-on study, were statistically better with filgotinib than placebo; some improvements were noted as early as the first assessment time point (week 1 or week 4). Filgotinib improved HAQ-DI by 0.58–0.84 points, FACIT-Fatigue by 6.9–11.4 points, Patient Global by 25.2–35.6 mm, and Pain by 24.2–37.9 mm; scores were maintained or improved to week 24. Across all PROs, more patients achieved minimal clinically important differences and normative values with filgotinib 200 mg than placebo. Patients re-assigned to filgotinib 100 mg at week 12 experienced improvements in PROs between weeks 12 to 24. Filgotinib as MTX add-on therapy or as monotherapy demonstrated rapid and sustained (to 24 weeks) improvements in health-related quality of life and functional status in patients with active RA. MTX add-on study: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01888874. Registered on 28 June 2013. Monotherapy study: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01894516. Registered on 10 July 2013.

Phase 2 studies with upadacitinib, a selective Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) inhibitor, have shown safety and efficacy in the treatment of patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. We did this study to further assess the safety and efficacy of upadacitinib in patients with an inadequate response to biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs).

Objective.To assess 5-year safety, tolerability, and efficacy of subcutaneous (SC) abatacept (ABA) in methotrexate (MTX)-refractory patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods.The Abatacept Comparison of sub[QU]cutaneous versus intravenous in Inadequate Responders to methotrexatE (ACQUIRE) phase IIIb, randomized, double-dummy, multinational trial compared efficacy and safety of SC and intravenous (IV) ABA in patients with RA. In the initial 6-month double-blind (DB) period, patients received IV or SC ABA, plus MTX, and in the subsequent open-label longterm extension (LTE) period, all patients received SC ABA (125 mg/wk). The final 5-year safety, tolerability, and efficacy analyses are reported.Results.Of 1385 patients who completed the DB period, 1372 entered LTE and 945 (68.8%) completed ≥ 5 years of treatment. During LTE, 97 (7.1%) patients discontinued treatment because of an adverse event (AE). Incidence rate (IR; event/100 patient-yrs of exposure; based on LTE data, 95% CI) for AE of interest were the following: serious AE 7.73 (6.96–8.58), infection 38.60 (36.24–41.12), serious infection 1.68 (1.35–2.07), malignancies 1.09 (0.84–1.42), and autoimmune disorders 1.33 (1.05–1.69), and were stable over time. No association between immunogenicity and either worsening of ABA safety or loss of efficacy was noted. Efficacy in the LTE was consistent with the DB period and was maintained to the end of the study.Conclusion.These 5-year data establish that SC ABA (125 mg/wk) has a consistent safety profile and durable efficacy for longterm treatment of patients with RA who had an inadequate response to MTX.

Objective.To assess the safety and efficacy of baricitinib in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) up to 128 weeks in a phase IIb study (NCT01185353).Methods.After a 24-week blinded period, eligible patients entered an initial 52-week open-label extension (OLE); patients receiving 8 mg once daily (QD) continued with that dose and all others received 4 mg QD. Doses could be escalated to 8 mg QD at 28 or 32 weeks at investigator discretion when ≥ 6 tender and ≥ 6 swollen joints were present. Patients completing the first OLE were eligible to enter a second 52-week OLE and receive 4 mg QD regardless of previous dose.Results.In the 4-mg (n = 108) and 8-mg (n = 93) groups, treatment-emergent adverse events (AE) occurred in 63% and 67%, serious AE in 16% and 13%, infections in 35% and 40%, and serious infections in 5% and 3% of patients, respectively. Exposure-adjusted incidence rates for AE for all baricitinib groups in the second OLE were similar to or lower than rates observed in the first OLE. No opportunistic infections, tuberculosis cases, or lymphomas were observed through 128 weeks; 1 death occurred during the first OLE. Among all patients in both OLE, the proportions who achieved disease improvement at Week 24 were similar or increased at weeks 76 and 128.Conclusion.In a phase IIb study in RA, the safety and tolerability profile of baricitinib, up to 128 weeks, remained consistent with earlier observations, without unexpected late signals. Clinical improvements seen in the 24-week blinded period were maintained during the OLE.

Introduction: ‘REASSURE’ (NCT01377012), a phase 3 study, evaluated the efficacy and safety of secukinumab in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who had an inadequate response to, or intolerance of, tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNF-inhibitors). Methods: A total of 637 patients were randomized (1:1:1) to receive intravenous secukinumab 10 mg/kg (baseline, weeks 2 and 4) followed by subcutaneous secukinumab 150 mg or 75 mg every 4 weeks (starting from week 8) or placebo at the same dosing schedule. The primary endpoint was the American College of Rheumatology 20% improvement criteria (ACR20) at week 24. Other predefined hierarchical endpoints included Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index, van der Heijde modified total Sharp score (vdH-mTSS) at week 24, and major clinical response (MCR; continuous 6 month period of ACR70 response) at 1 year. Results: The primary efficacy endpoint was met with both secukinumab dose groups: ACR20 response rate at week 24 was 35.2% for both secukinumab dose groups (P= 0.0009) vs 19.6% for placebo. The improvements in secondary endpoints were greater in the secukinumab dose groups vs placebo but did not meet statistical significance. The overall safety profile was similar across all treatment groups. Conclusion: Secukinumab demonstrated efficacy in reducing disease activity over placebo as measured by ACR20 in patients with active RA who had an inadequate response to TNF-inhibitors. Secukinumab demonstrated a safety profile similar to other biologics currently approved for RA. Funding: Novartis Pharma AG. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01377012.

Sarilumab is a human monoclonal antibody directed against the alpha subunit of the interleukin-6 receptor complex. In the MOBILITY phase III randomized controlled trial (RCT), sarilumab + methotrexate (MTX) treatment resulted in clinical improvements at 24 weeks that were maintained at 52 weeks in adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), who have inadequate response to MTX (MTX-IR). These analyses indicate the effects of sarilumab + MTX versus placebo on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in this RCT. Patients (n = 1197) were randomized to receive placebo, sarilumab 150 or 200 mg subcutaneously + MTX every 2 weeks for 52 weeks; after 16 weeks, patients without ≥20 % improvement from baseline in swollen or tender joint counts on two consecutive assessments were offered open-label treatment. PROs included patient global assessment of disease activity (PtGA), pain, health assessment questionnaire disability index (HAQ-DI), Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36), and functional assessment of chronic illness therapy-fatigue (FACIT-F). Changes from baseline at weeks 24 and 52 were analyzed using a mixed model for repeated measures. Post hoc analyses included percentages of patients reporting improvements equal to or greater than minimal clinically important differences (MCID) and normative values in the FACIT-F and SF-36. Pearson correlation between observed PRO scores and clinical measures of disease activity was tested at week 24. Both doses of sarilumab + MTX vs placebo + MTX resulted in improvement from baseline by week 24 in PtGA, pain, HAQ-DI, SF-36 and FACIT-F scores (p< 0.0001) that was clinically meaningful, and persisted until week 52. In post hoc analyses, the percentages of patients with improvement equal to or greater than the MCID across all PROs were greater with sarilumab than placebo (p< 0.05), with differences ranging from 11.6 to 26.2 %, as were those reporting equal to or greater than normative scores. In this RCT in patients with MTX-IR RA, sarilumab + MTX resulted in sustained improvement in PROs that were clinically meaningful, greater than placebo + MTX, and complement the previously reported clinical efficacy and safety of sarilumab. ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT01061736. February 2, 2010

Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this study was to explore the safety and efficacy of open-label tofacitinib following blinded treatment with adalimumab or tofacitinib for moderate to severe RA. Analyses included patients treated with adalimumab 40 mg once every 2 weeks or tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily (BID) with background methotrexate (MTX) in a 12-month randomized study (NCT00853385), who subsequently received tofacitinib 10 mg BID (with/without background MTX) in an open-label extension (NCT00413699). Patients with treatment-related serious adverse events (AEs) and serious or recurrent infections in the index study were excluded from the extension study. Exposure-adjusted incidence rates of safety-related events were assessed in 3-month and 12-month periods in the year before and in the year after switching. Efficacy was assessed 3 months before, at the time of, and 3 months after switching. There were 233 (107 adalimumab to tofacitinib 10 mg BID, 126 blinded to open-label tofacitinib 10 mg BID) patients included in these analyses. Patients in both treatment sequences had similar incidence rates (per 100 patient-years) of discontinuation due to AEs, serious AEs, and serious infections in the year before and in the year after switching. Incidence rates of AEs were increased in the first 3 months after switching compared with the last 3 months before switching in both treatment groups. Switching from either blinded adalimumab or tofacitinib to open-label tofacitinib resulted in numerically higher incidence of responders for signs and symptoms of disease and improved physical function. Treatment can be directly switched from adalimumab to tofacitinib. A similar safety and efficacy profile was seen when patients received open-label tofacitinib after receiving either blinded adalimumab or tofacitinib. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifiers: NCT00853385, registered 27 February 2009; NCT00413699, registered 18 December 2006.

Electronic clinical quality measures (eCQMs) rely on computer algorithms to extract data from electronic health records (EHRs). On behalf of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), we sought to develop and test eCQMs for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Drawing from published ACR guidelines, a working group developed candidate RA process measures and subsequently assessed face validity through an interdisciplinary panel of health care stakeholders. A public comment period followed. Measures that passed these levels of review were electronically specified using the quality data model, which provides standard nomenclature for data elements (category, datatype, and value sets) obtained through an EHR. For each eCQM, 3 clinical sites using different EHR systems tested the scientific feasibility and validity of measures. Measures appropriate for accountability were presented for national endorsement. Expert panel validity ratings were high for all measures (median 8–9 of 9). Health system performance on the eCQMs was 53.6% for RA disease activity assessment, 69.1% for functional status assessment, 93.1% for disease‐modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) use, and 72.8% for tuberculosis screening. Kappa statistics, which evaluated whether the eCQM validly captured data obtained from manual EHR chart review, demonstrated moderate to substantial agreement (0.54 for functional status assessment, 0.73 for tuberculosis screening, 0.84 for disease activity, and 0.85 for DMARD use). Four eCQMs for RA have achieved national endorsement and are recommended for use in federal quality reporting programs. Implementation and further refinement of these measures is ongoing in the ACR's registry, the Rheumatology Informatics System for Effectiveness (RISE).

Objective.To evaluate the effect of brodalumab on psoriasis signs and symptoms assessed by the Psoriasis Symptom Inventory (PSI) in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).Methods.This prespecified analysis of a phase II study (NCT01516957) evaluated patients with active PsA and psoriasis-affected body surface area ≥ 3%, randomized to brodalumab (140 or 280 mg) or placebo every 2 weeks (Q2W) for 12 weeks with loading dose at Week 1. At Week 12, patients entering an open-label extension received brodalumab 280 mg Q2W. The PSI measures 8 psoriasis signs and symptoms: itch, redness, scaling, burning, stinging, cracking, flaking, and pain. PSI response is defined as total PSI ≤ 8 (range 0–32), each item ≤ 1 (range 0–4). PSI scores were assessed at weeks 12 and 24.Results.There were 107 eligible patients. At Week 12, mean improvement in PSI scores was 7.8, 11.2, and 1.5 in brodalumab 140 mg, 280 mg, and placebo groups, respectively; by Week 24, improvement was 10.2, 12.4, and 11.7. At Week 12, 75.0%, 81.8%, and 16.7% of patients receiving brodalumab 140 mg, 280 mg, and placebo, respectively, achieved PSI response; improvement was sustained through Week 24, when 83.9% of prior placebo recipients achieved response. At Week 12, 25.0%, 36.4%, and 2.8% of patients receiving brodalumab 140 mg, 280 mg, and placebo, respectively, achieved PSI 0. Percentages improved through Week 24: 40.0% brodalumab 140 mg, 42.9% brodalumab 280 mg, and 48.4% placebo.Conclusion.Significantly more brodalumab-treated patients with PsA achieved patient-reported improvements in psoriasis signs and symptoms than did those receiving placebo. Improvements were comparable between brodalumab groups.

Objective.To evaluate the safety and efficacy of golimumab (GOL), a human antitumor necrosis factor antibody, in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) despite methotrexate (MTX) therapy through 5 years in the GO-FORWARD trial.Methods.Patients with active RA despite MTX therapy were randomly assigned to receive placebo + MTX (Group 1), GOL 100 mg + placebo (Group 2), GOL 50 mg + MTX (Group 3), or GOL 100 mg + MTX (Group 4). Patients in groups 1, 2, and 3 with inadequate response could enter early escape at Week 16 to GOL 50 mg + MTX or GOL 100 mg + MTX, and all remaining Group 1 patients crossed over to GOL 50 mg + MTX at Week 24. The blind was maintained through the 52-week database lock, after which treatment adjustments were permitted. Adverse events (AE) were monitored through Week 268. Efficacy was evaluated using the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20/50/70 responses and a 28-joint Disease Activity Score using C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP). Response rates at Week 256 were analyzed by an intent-to-treat analysis.Results.A total of 444 patients were randomized, and 313 received GOL through Week 252; 301 patients completed the safety followup through Week 268. Infections were the most common type of AE; 172 patients (39.6%) had ≥ 1 serious AE. No unexpected safety signals were observed. At Week 256, ACR20/50/70 responses were achieved by 63.1%, 40.8%, and 24.1%, respectively, of all randomized patients. About 78% of all patients achieved a good or moderate DAS28-CRP response.Conclusion.Improvements in the signs and symptoms of RA were maintained through 5 years. AE through 5 years were consistent with earlier reports of the GO-FORWARD trial; no apparent increased risk was observed over time.

Objective.To evaluate ixekizumab, an anti-interleukin 17A monoclonal antibody, for safety and effectiveness through 64 weeks in biologic-naive and tumor necrosis factor–inadequate responder (TNF-IR) patients with rheumatoid arthritis.Methods.Patients completing the 16-week double-blind period of a phase II study were eligible to enter the open-label extension (OLE) for an additional 48 weeks of ixekizumab treatment. After a treatment hiatus between weeks 10 to 16, 232 biologic-naive and 158 TNF-IR patients entered the OLE with all patients receiving 160 mg ixekizumab at weeks 16, 18, and 20, and then every 4 weeks through Week 64.Results.A total of 201 (87%) biologic-naive and 99 (62%) TNF-IR patients completed the OLE. Treatment-emergent adverse events (AE) occurred in 168 (72%) biologic-naive and 115 (73%) TNF-IR patients during the OLE. Most AE were mild to moderate in severity and did not lead to study discontinuation. Serious AE (SAE) occurred in 17 (7%) biologic-naive patients, including 5 (2%) serious infections and 2 (1%) deaths. SAE occurred in 18 (11%) TNF-IR patients, including 4 (3%) serious infections and 1 (1%) death. No mycobacterial or invasive fungal infections were reported. Clinical responses [American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20, ACR50, ACR70, and 28-joint Disease Activity Score with C-reactive protein] observed at Week 16 were maintained or improved through Week 64.Conclusion.Ixekizumab was well tolerated, and safety findings in the OLE were consistent overall with those in the double-blind period of this study. Clinical improvements observed with ixekizumab through Week 16 were maintained or improved in patients participating in the OLE through Week 64. Trial registration number: NCT00966875.

This randomized, double-blind, phase II study evaluated the pharmacodynamics, safety and tolerability of ISIS 329993 (ISIS-CRPRx), an antisense oligonucleotide, in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Patients with active RA of at least six months duration were randomized into three cohorts to receive ISIS-CRPRx(100 mg, 200 mg or 400 mg) or placebo (3 active:1 placebo within each cohort) via subcutaneous (SC) injection on Days 1, 3, 5 and 8 and then once weekly for the next 11 weeks. The effects of study treatment on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level were evaluated. An exploratory analysis on disease activity was assessed via the American College of Rheumatology 20% improvement criteria (ACR20). Safety was evaluated via adverse events and laboratory measures. Fifty-one patients received one of the following treatments: ISIS-CRPRx100 mg, n = 12; 200 mg, n = 13, 400 mg, n = 14; placebo n = 12. In the ISIS-CRPRxtreatment groups there were dose-dependent reductions in hs-CRP. At Day 36 the mean percent change from baseline was: placebo: −14.4%; ISIS-CRPRx100 mg: −19.5%; 200 mg: −56.6% and 400 mg: −76.7%, (P= 0.0015 placebo compared to 400 mg). There were no differences between treatment groups and placebo in the ACR20 at Day 36 or Day 92. There were no serious infections and no elevations in liver function tests, lipids, creatinine or other lab abnormalities related to ISIS-CRPRx. In this study, ISIS-CRPRxselectively reduced hs-CRP in a dose-dependent manner, and was well-tolerated in patients with RA. Its utility as a therapy in RA remains unclear. Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01414101. Registered 21 July 2011.

To evaluate the measurement properties of the Psoriasis Symptom Inventory (PSI) in psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The PSI is an 8‐item, patient‐reported outcome measure of the severity of psoriasis signs and symptoms. This was a secondary analysis of pooled data from a phase II study evaluating the efficacy of brodalumab in patients with PsA. Unidimensionality and item evaluation were assessed using factor and Rasch analyses. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha (internal consistency) and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for PSI scores in patients with stable disease (test–retest). Construct validity was evaluated by correlations between PSI scores and body surface area (BSA) affected by psoriasis and selected Short Form 36 (SF‐36) health survey domains. Known‐groups validity was evaluated based on BSA severity categories, and the ability to detect change was evaluated based on improvement in the subject's global assessment (SGA). The analysis sample (n = 154) was 93.5% white and 63.0% female. The mean ± SD baseline affected BSA was 10.4% ± 15.6%, and age was 52.2 ± 11.5 years. The PSI demonstrated unidimensionality, with good item fit and correctly ordered categories, excellent internal consistency (α = 0.95), good test–retest reliability (total score ICC 0.70; item ICCs range 0.67–0.81), convergent validity based on moderate correlations with BSA (r = 0.50), discriminant validity based on small baseline correlations (r <−0.3) with the SF‐36 domains (role‐physical, role‐emotional, vitality), known groups validity based on significant differences between BSA groups, and responsiveness based on SGA improvements (P< 0.05). The PSI demonstrated excellent test–retest and internal consistency reliability and good construct validity in measuring psoriasis signs and symptoms severity in PsA.

The development of biomarkers for autoimmune diseases has been hampered by a lack of understanding of disease etiopathogenesis and of the mechanisms underlying the induction and maintenance of inflammation, which involves complex activation dynamics of diverse cell types. The heterogeneous nature and suboptimal clinical response to treatment observed in many autoimmune syndromes highlight the need to develop improved strategies to predict patient outcome to therapy and personalize patient care. Mass cytometry, using CyTOF®, is an advanced technology that facilitates multiparametric, phenotypic analysis of immune cells at single-cell resolution. In this review, we outline the capabilities of mass cytometry and illustrate the potential of this technology to enhance the discovery of cellular biomarkers for rheumatoid arthritis, a prototypical autoimmune disease.

Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation and fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. We sought to assess the clinical and molecular effects associated with response to intravenous abatacept in patients with diffuse cutaneous systemic. Adult diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis patients were randomized in a 2:1 double-blinded fashion to receive abatacept or placebo over 24 weeks. Primary outcomes were safety and the change in modified Rodnan Skin Score (mRSS) at week 24 compared with baseline. Improvers were defined as patients with a decrease in mRSS of ≥30 % post-treatment compared to baseline. Skin biopsies were obtained for differential gene expression and pathway enrichment analyses and intrinsic gene expression subset assignment. Ten subjects were randomized to abatacept (n = 7) or placebo (n = 3). Disease duration from first non-Raynaud’s symptom was significantly longer (8.8 ± 3.8 years vs. 2.4 ± 1.6 years, p= 0.004) and median mRSS was higher (30 vs. 22, p= 0.05) in the placebo compared to abatacept group. Adverse events were similar in the two groups. Five out of seven patients (71 %) randomized to abatacept and one out of three patients (33 %) randomized to placebo experienced ≥30 % improvement in skin score. Subjects receiving abatacept showed a trend toward improvement in mRSS at week 24 (−8.6 ± 7.5, p= 0.0625) while those in the placebo group did not (−2.3 ± 15, p= 0.75). After adjusting for disease duration, mRSS significantly improved in the abatacept compared with the placebo group (abatacept vs. placebo mRSS decrease estimate −9.8, 95 % confidence interval −16.7 to −3.0, p= 0.0114). In the abatacept group, the patients in the inflammatory intrinsic subset showed a trend toward greater improvement in skin score at 24 weeks compared with the patients in the normal-like intrinsic subset (−13.5 ± 3.1 vs. −4.5 ± 6.4, p= 0.067). Abatacept resulted in decreased CD28 co-stimulatory gene expression in improvers consistent with its mechanism of action. Improvers mapped to the inflammatory intrinsic subset and showed decreased gene expression in inflammatory pathways, while non-improver and placebos showed stable or reverse gene expression over 24 weeks. Clinical improvement following abatacept therapy was associated with modulation of inflammatory pathways in skin. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00442611. Registered 1 March 2007.

Objective.To assess the efficacy and safety of JNJ-40346527, a selective inhibitor of colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) receptor kinase that acts to inhibit macrophage survival, proliferation, and differentiation in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) despite disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy.Methods.In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study, adults were randomized (2:1) to receive oral JNJ-40346527 100 mg or placebo twice daily through Week 12. Patients with RA had disease activity [≥ 6 swollen/≥ 6 tender joints, C-reactive protein (CRP) ≥ 0.8 mg/dl] despite DMARD therapy for ≥ 6 months. The primary endpoint was change from baseline at Week 12 in the 28-joint Disease Activity Score with CRP (DAS28-CRP). Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analyses were also performed, and safety was assessed through Week 16.Results.Ninety-five patients were treated (63 JNJ-40346527, 32 placebo); 8 patients discontinued treatment (6 JNJ-40346527, 2 placebo) through Week 12. Mean improvements in DAS28-CRP from baseline to Week 12 were 1.15 for the JNJ-40346527 group and 1.42 for the placebo group (p = 0.30); thus, a statistically significant difference was not observed for the primary endpoint. Pharmacokinetic exposure to JNJ-40346527 and its active metabolites was above the projected concentration needed for pharmacologic activity, and effective target engagement and proof of activity were demonstrated by increased levels of CSF-1 and decreased CD16+ monocytes in JNJ-40346527–treated, but not placebo-treated, patients. Thirty-seven (58.7%) JNJ-40346527–treated and 16 (50.0%) placebo-treated patients reported ≥ 1 adverse event (AE); 1 (1.6%) JNJ-40346527–treated and 3 (9.4%) placebo-treated patients reported ≥ 1 serious AE.Conclusion.Although adequate exposure and effective peripheral target engagement were evident, JNJ-40346527 efficacy was not observed in patients with DMARD-refractory active RA. ClinicalTrials.govidentifier: NCT01597739. EudraCT Number: 2011-004529-28.

Objective.Assess longterm tolerability, safety, and efficacy of subcutaneous (SC) abatacept (ABA) in methotrexate-refractory patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods.The phase III, multinational Abatacept Comparison of Sub[QU]cutaneous Versus Intravenous in Inadequate Responders to MethotrexatE (ACQUIRE) trial comprised a 6-month, randomized, double-blind (DB) period, in which patients received intravenous (IV) or SC ABA, plus MTX, followed by an open-label, longterm extension (LTE), in which patients received SC ABA, 125 mg/week. Safety and efficacy from the LTE (∼3.5 yrs of exposure) are reported.Results.Patients who completed the DB period (1372/1385, 99.1%) entered the LTE; 1134 patients (82.7%) kept taking the treatment at time of reporting. Mean (SD) was 31.9 months (6.8); median (range) exposure was 33.0 (8–44) months. Patients entering the LTE had longstanding, moderate-to-severe disease [mean 7.6 (7.9) yrs and DAS28 (C-reactive protein) 6.2 (0.9)]. Incidence rates (events/100 patient-yrs) were reported for serious adverse events (8.76, 95% CI 7.71, 9.95), infections (44.80, 95% CI 41.76, 48.01), serious infections (1.72, 95% CI 1.30, 2.27), malignancies (1.19, 95% CI 0.86, 1.66), and autoimmune events (1.31, 95% CI 0.95, 1.79). Twenty-seven patients (2%) experienced injection-site reactions; all except 1 were mild. American College of Rheumatology 20, 50, and 70 responses achieved during the DB period were maintained through the LTE, and on Day 981 were 80.2% (95% CI 77.2, 83.2), 63.5% (95% CI 58.2, 68.9), and 39.5% (95% CI 34.0, 44.9) for patients who kept taking SC ABA, and 80.0% (95% CI 77.0, 83.0), 63.2% (95% CI 57.8, 68.7), and 39.2% (95% CI 33.7, 44.7) for those who switched from IV to SC ABA.Conclusion.These findings support SC ABA as a well-tolerated and efficacious longterm treatment for patients with RA and inadequate response to MTX (ClinicalTrials.govidentifier NCT00559585).

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of golimumab on carotid ultrasound measures and cardiovascular serious adverse events (SAEs) in patients with inflammatory arthritides.

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.

Objective.Our 24-week study (NCT01197755; OSKIRA-3) compared the efficacy and safety of fostamatinib versus placebo in patients taking background methotrexate treatment with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and an inadequate response to a single tumor necrosis factor-α antagonist.Methods.Adult patients were randomized (1:1:1) to fostamatinib [100 mg bid for 24 weeks (n = 105; Group A)], or 100 mg bid for 4 weeks, then 150 mg qd (n = 108; Group B), or to placebo (n = 110; Group C) for 24 weeks. Nonresponders at Week 12 could enter a longterm extension study. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving an American College of Rheumatology 20% (ACR20) response at Week 24.Results.Baseline characteristics were well balanced. Significantly more patients in fostamatinib Group A (36.2%; p = 0.004), but not B (27.8%; p = 0.168), achieved ACR20 at Week 24 versus placebo (21.1%). Frequently reported adverse events were diarrhea, hypertension, and headache. Elevated blood pressure (≥ 140/90 mm Hg) at ≥ 1 visit was observed in 46.7%, 51.9%, and 26.6% of patients, respectively. There were 2 deaths in the study, 1 in Group B and 1 in the placebo group.Conclusion.Fostamatinib 100 mg bid, but not fostamatinib 100 mg bid for 4 weeks then 150 mg qd, achieved statistical improvements in ACR20 at 24 weeks versus placebo. Because of efficacy and safety results from the phase III clinical program, the companies developing fostamatinib have decided not to study it further in RA at this time.

Objective.Serum 14-3-3η is a novel joint-derived proinflammatory mediator implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In our study, we assessed the diagnostic utility of 14-3-3η and its association with standard clinical and serological measures.Methods.A quantitative ELISA was used to assess 14-3-3η levels. Early (n = 99) and established patients with RA (n = 135) were compared to all controls (n = 385), including healthy subjects (n = 189). The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of 14-3-3η, and the likelihood ratios (LR) for RA were determined through receiver-operator curve analysis. The incremental value of adding 14-3-3η to anticitrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) and rheumatoid factor (RF) in diagnosing early and established RA was assessed.Results.Serum 14-3-3η differentiated established patients with RA from healthy individuals and all controls (p < 0.0001). A serum 14-3-3η cutoff of ≥ 0.19 ng/ml delivered a sensitivity and specificity of 77% and 93%, respectively, with corresponding LR positivity of 10.4. At this cutoff in early RA, 64% of patients with early RA were positive for 14-3-3η, with a corresponding specificity of 93% (LR+ of 8.6), while 59% and 57% were positive for ACPA or RF, respectively. When ACPA, RF, and 14-3-3η positivity were used in combination, 77 of the 99 patients (78%) with early RA were positive for any 1 of the 3 markers. Serum 14-3-3η did not correlate with C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, or Disease Activity Score, but patients who were 14-3-3η-positive had significantly worse disease.Conclusion.Serum 14-3-3η is a novel RA mechanistic marker that is highly specific, associated with worse disease, and complements current markers, enabling a more accurate diagnosis of RA.

Objective.To evaluate the efficacy/safety of belimumab plus standard therapy in patients (n = 449) with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) treated up to 7 years (n = 177 currently ongoing).Methods.Patients (n = 345) who completed a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 52-week study of belimumab 1, 4, or 10 mg/kg and 24-week extension of belimumab (placebo switched to 10 mg/kg; belimumab same dose or switched to 10 mg/kg) could receive belimumab 10 mg/kg in an open-label continuation study (n = 296). Disease activity was analyzed in patients with active SLE at baseline of the initial study. Biomarker and SLE medication changes were evaluated, and adverse events (AE) were monitored throughout the study.Results.Total belimumab exposure over 7 years (double-blind and open-label periods): 1746 patient-years. SLE Responder Index (SRI) response rates at Week 52 in autoantibody-positive patients: placebo, 29%; belimumab, 46% (p < 0.05). In the continuation study, 57% of auto-antibody-positive patients had an SRI response by Year 2 and 65% by Year 7; severe flares occurred in 19% with placebo and 17% with belimumab during the first year, with the annual rate declining to 2%–9% during years 2–7. Anti-dsDNA autoantibodies in patients positive for them at baseline had a progressive decline of 40%–60% from baseline over 2–7 years with belimumab. Corticosteroid use decreased over time with ≥ 50–55% reduction in median dose during years 5–7. Serious and overall annual AE rates, including infections, were generally stable or decreased during 7-year treatment.Conclusion.Disease control and safety profile were maintained in patients with active SLE taking belimumab plus standard therapy for up to 7 years. [ClinicalTrials.govnumbers: NCT00071487 and NCT00583362]

Objective.To assess the longterm efficacy and safety of golimumab in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) despite methotrexate (MTX) therapy.Methods.We randomized 444 RA patients with inadequate response to MTX (3:3:2:2) to placebo + MTX (Group 1), golimumab 100 mg + placebo (Group 2), golimumab 50 mg + MTX (Group 3), or golimumab 100 mg + MTX (Group 4). Subcutaneous golimumab/placebo was injected every 4 weeks. Patients could escape early (Group 1 added golimumab 50 mg, Group 2 added MTX, Group 3 increased golimumab to 100 mg, Group 4 continued 100 mg) based on Week 16 swollen and tender joint counts. From Week 24, Group 1 patients received golimumab 50 mg + MTX. After the Week 52 database lock, patients in the longterm extension received golimumab 50–100 mg ± MTX. Coprimary endpoints [Week 14 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)20, Week 24 Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI)] and Week 52 findings have been published; 2-year findings (observed data by randomized group, no imputation) are presented.Results.Of 444 randomized patients, 392 continued from Week 52 (Group 1: n = 116, Group 2: n = 116, Group 3: n = 84, Group 4: n = 76). Clinical improvement was maintained through Week 104; ∼75% and 72% of patients randomized to golimumab 50 mg + MTX and 100 mg + MTX achieved ACR20 response, respectively. The majority [88% (105/120)] of golimumab + MTX–treated patients with Week 24 HAQ-DI improvement ≥ 0.25 maintained improved physical function through Week 104. Group 1 patients with delayed golimumab treatment exhibited more Week 104 radiographic progression (mean change score = 1.15) than golimumab + MTX-randomized patients (0.52). Incidences of serious infections were 2.24, 4.77, 5.78/100 patient-years of followup for golimumab 50 mg + MTX, 100 mg + placebo, and 100 mg + MTX, respectively.Conclusion.Clinical improvement was maintained and no new safety signals were identified with 2 years of golimumab + MTX. Golimumab efficacy and safety, including serious infections, will continue to be monitored through 5 years (Clinical Trial No. NCT00264550).

Objective.To assess the longterm safety and efficacy of tocilizumab (TCZ) in patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods.Patient data were from 5 randomized controlled TCZ trials (n = 4211), their open-label extension phases (n = 3512), and a drug interaction study (n = 23). All randomly assigned patients, regardless of previous RA treatment, were analyzed. Measures of safety included number of adverse events (AE), serious AE (SAE), AE leading to treatment discontinuation, laboratory tests, and deaths. Efficacy measures included American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20/50/70 responses, tender joint count (TJC), swollen joint count (SJC), ACR core set components, and low disease activity (LDA) or Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28) remission. ACR/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) disease remission was a posthoc exploratory analysis.Results.Total duration of observation was 12,293 patient-years (PY). No new safety signals were identified; infections were the most common AE and SAE. The rate of serious infections was 4.5/100 PY. Improvements from baseline in clinical efficacy, measured as ACR20/50/70 responses, TJC, SJC, ACR core set components, and LDA and DAS28 remission, were generally sustained through at least 216 weeks of followup. ACR/EULAR disease remission was attained by 16.5% (Boolean) and 22.7% (index) of patients at Week 216.Conclusion.TCZ has to date been studied for up to 4.6 years (240 weeks) of treatment in patients with RA. Our analysis reveals a longer-term safety profile consistent with previous observations, no new safety signals, and durable efficacy of TCZ in a large clinical trial program.

Objective.To evaluate the efficacy/safety of belimumab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods.Patients fulfilling American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for RA for ≥ 1 year who had at least moderate disease activity while receiving stable disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy and failed ≥ 1 DMARD were randomly assigned to placebo or belimumab 1, 4, or 10 mg/kg, administered intravenously on Days 1, 14, and 28, and then every 4 weeks for 24 weeks (n = 283). This was followed by an optional 24-week extension (n = 237) in which all patients received belimumab. Primary efficacy endpoint was the Week 24 ACR20 response.Results.Week 24 ACR20 responses with placebo and belimumab 1, 4, and 10 mg/kg were 15.9%, 34.7% (p = 0.010), 25.4% (p = 0.168), and 28.2% (p = 0.080), respectively. Patients taking any belimumab dose who continued with belimumab in the open-label extension had an ACR20 response of 41% at 48 weeks. A similar ACR20 response (42%) at 48 weeks was seen in patients taking placebo who switched in the extension to belimumab 10 mg/kg. Greater response rates were observed in patients who at baseline were rheumatoid factor-positive, anticitrullinated protein antibody-positive, or tumor necrosis factor inhibitor-naive, or had elevated C-reactive protein levels, Disease Activity Score 28 > 5.1, or low B lymphocyte stimulator levels (< 0.858 ng/ml). Adverse event rates were similar across treatment groups.Conclusion.In this phase II trial, belimumab demonstrated efficacy and was generally well tolerated in patients with RA who had failed previous therapies. [ClinicalTrials.govidentifier NCT00071812]

Objective.To assess the influence of fostamatinib on patient-reported outcomes (PRO) in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis and an inadequate response to methotrexate (MTX).Methods.Patients taking background MTX (N = 457) were enrolled in a phase II clinical trial (NCT00665925) and randomized equally to placebo, fostamatinib 100 mg twice daily (bid), or fostamatinib 150 mg once daily (qd) for 24 weeks. Self-administered PRO measures included pain, patient's global assessment (PtGA) of disease activity, physical function, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and fatigue. Mean change from baseline and a responder analysis of the proportion of patients achieving a minimal clinically important difference were determined.Results.At Week 24, there were statistically significant improvements in pain, PtGA, physical function, fatigue, and the physical component summary of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36) for fostamatinib 100 mg bid compared with placebo. Mean (standard error) changes from baseline in the fostamatinib 100 mg bid group versus the placebo group were −31.3 (2.45) versus −17.8 (2.45), p < 0.001 for pain; −29.1 (2.26) versus −16.7 (2.42), p < 0.001 for PtGA; −0.647 (0.064) versus −0.343 (0.062), p < 0.001 for physical function; 7.40 (1.00) versus 4.50 (0.94), p < 0.05 for fatigue; 8.52 (0.77) versus 4.90 (0.78), p < 0.01 for SF-36 physical component score; and 3.99 (0.93) versus 3.71 (0.99), p = 0.83 for SF-36 mental component score. Patients receiving fostamatinib 150 mg qd showed improvements in some PRO, including physical function.Conclusion.Patients treated with fostamatinib 100 mg bid showed significant improvements in HRQOL outcomes.

Objective.To evaluate abatacept safety and efficacy over 5 years in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who had inadequate response to anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy in the ATTAIN trial.Methods.Patients completing the 6-month, double-blind (DB) placebo-controlled period were eligible to enter the longterm extension (LTE), where all patients received abatacept every 4 weeks (∼10 mg/kg, according to weight range). Safety, efficacy, physical function, and health-related quality of life were monitored throughout.Results.In total, 317 patients (218 DB abatacept, 99 DB placebo) entered the LTE; 150 (47.3%) completed it. Overall incidences of serious adverse events, infections, serious infections, malignant neoplasms, and autoimmune events did not increase during the LTE versus the DB period. American College of Rheumatology responses with abatacept at Month 6 were maintained over 5 years. At Year 5, among patients who received abatacept for 5 years and had available data, 38/103 (36.9%) achieved low disease activity as defined by the 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28)/C-reactive protein (CRP); 23/103 (22.3%) achieved DAS28/CRP-defined remission. Health Assessment Questionnaire response was achieved by 62.5% of patients remaining on treatment at Year 5; mean improvements from baseline in physical component summary and mental component summary scores were 7.34 and 6.42, respectively. High proportions of patients maintained efficacy and physical function benefits or improved their disease state at each timepoint throughout the LTE, if remaining on abatacept treatment.Conclusion.Safety remained consistent, and abatacept efficacy was maintained from 6 months to 5 years, demonstrating the benefits of switching to abatacept in this difficult-to-treat population of patients with RA previously failing anti-TNF therapy.

Objective.To evaluate the effect of golimumab on physical function, general health, and fatigue in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) despite methotrexate (MTX) therapy.Methods.In the multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled GO-FORWARD study, 444 adults with active RA despite MTX received subcutaneous placebo + MTX (crossover to golimumab 50 mg at Week 24), golimumab 100 mg + placebo, golimumab 50 mg + MTX, or golimumab 100 mg + MTX every 4 weeks. Physical function and general health were assessed using the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) and Physical and Mental Component Summary (PCS, MCS) scores of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 questionnaire (SF-36), respectively, through Week 52. Fatigue was measured through Week 24 using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-Fatigue) questionnaire.Results.Mean improvements from baseline in HAQ-DI, SF-36 PCS, and FACIT-Fatigue scores (Weeks 14 and 24) were significantly greater for golimumab 50 mg + MTX and 100 mg + MTX versus placebo + MTX. Significantly greater proportions of patients treated with golimumab + MTX achieved clinically meaningful improvements from baseline to Weeks 14 and 24 in HAQ-DI, PCS, and FACIT-Fatigue scores. Mean improvements in SF-36 PCS (Week 14), MCS (Week 24), and FACIT-Fatigue (Weeks 14 and 24) scores were significantly greater for golimumab 100 mg + placebo versus placebo + MTX. Mean improvements from baseline in HAQ-DI, SF-36 PCS, and MCS scores through Week 24 were sustained through Week 52.Conclusion.Patients with active RA despite MTX had significant improvement in physical function, general health, and fatigue following golimumab + MTX therapy; improvements in physical function and general health were maintained through Week 52. (Clinical Trials Registration NCT00264550)