Back to Search Start Over

A Randomized, Double-Blind Trial of Abatacept (CTLA-4Ig) for the Treatment of Giant Cell Arteritis.

Authors :
Langford CA
Cuthbertson D
Ytterberg SR
Khalidi N
Monach PA
Carette S
Seo P
Moreland LW
Weisman M
Koening CL
Sreih AG
Spiera R
McAlear CA
Warrington KJ
Pagnoux C
McKinnon K
Forbess LJ
Hoffman GS
Borchin R
Krischer JP
Merkel PA
Source :
Arthritis & rheumatology (Hoboken, N.J.) [Arthritis Rheumatol] 2017 Apr; Vol. 69 (4), pp. 837-845. Date of Electronic Publication: 2017 Mar 03.
Publication Year :
2017

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy of abatacept to that of placebo for the treatment of giant cell arteritis (GCA).<br />Methods: In this multicenter trial, patients with newly diagnosed or relapsing GCA were treated with abatacept 10 mg/kg intravenously on days 1, 15, and 29 and week 8, together with prednisone administered daily. At week 12, patients in remission underwent a double-blinded randomization to continue to receive abatacept monthly or switch to placebo. Patients in both study arms received a standardized prednisone taper, with discontinuation of prednisone at week 28. All patients remained on their randomized assignment until meeting criteria for early termination or until 12 months after enrollment of the last patient. The primary end point was duration of remission (relapse-free survival rate).<br />Results: Forty-nine eligible patients with GCA were enrolled and treated with prednisone and abatacept; of these, 41 reached the week 12 randomization and underwent a blinded randomization to receive abatacept or placebo. Prednisone was tapered using a standardized schedule, reaching a daily dosage of 20 mg at week 12 with discontinuation in all patients at week 28. The relapse-free survival rate at 12 months was 48% for those receiving abatacept and 31% for those receiving placebo (Pā€‰=ā€‰0.049). A longer median duration of remission was seen in those receiving abatacept compared to those receiving placebo (median duration 9.9 months versus 3.9 months; Pā€‰=ā€‰0.023). There was no difference in the frequency or severity of adverse events, including infection, between the treatment arms.<br />Conclusion: In patients with GCA, the addition of abatacept to a treatment regimen with prednisone reduced the risk of relapse and was not associated with a higher rate of toxicity compared to prednisone alone.<br /> (© 2017, American College of Rheumatology.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2326-5205
Volume :
69
Issue :
4
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Arthritis & rheumatology (Hoboken, N.J.)
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
28133925
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1002/art.40044