Early recapture of response with tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily in patients with ulcerative colitis in OCTAVE Open following dose reduction or treatment interruption in OCTAVE Sustain.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. These post hoc analyses evaluated early improvement in patient-reported outcomes with tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily (BID) in OCTAVE Open among patients with ulcerative colitis who experienced treatment failure with placebo (retreatment subpopulation) or tofacitinib 5 mg BID (dose escalation subpopulation) during maintenance. METHODS: Endpoints based on Mayo subscores (rectal bleeding improvement, stool frequency improvement, and symptomatic [both rectal bleeding and stool frequency] improvement) were analyzed overall and by prior tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) failure status from month (M)1-M6 in OCTAVE Open. Changes from baseline in partial Mayo score, rectal bleeding subscore, and stool frequency subscore at M1 were also analyzed, by M2 clinical response status. RESULTS: At M1 of OCTAVE Open, 83.2%, 70.3%, and 64.4% of patients in the retreatment subpopulation (n = 101) had rectal bleeding improvement, stool frequency improvement, and symptomatic improvement, respectively. Corresponding values in the dose escalation subpopulation (n = 57) were 59.6%, 50.9%, and 38.6%. For both subpopulations, results were generally consistent regardless of prior TNFi failure. In the dose escalation subpopulation, mean decrease from baseline in partial Mayo score and stool frequency subscore at M1 was greater in patients with versus without a clinical response at M2. CONCLUSIONS: Rectal bleeding improvement and stool frequency improvement were achieved by M1 in many patients receiving tofacitinib 10 mg BID in both subpopulations, with no apparent difference by prior TNFi failure. Analyses were limited by small sample sizes for some subgroups.

Presence of risk factors associated with colectomy among patients with ulcerative colitis: a post hoc analysis of data from the tofacitinib OCTAVE ulcerative colitis clinical program.

Background: Tofacitinib is an oral small molecule Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). Objective: To assess colectomy incidence rates (IRs) and baseline characteristics for the presence of identified colectomy risk factors among patients in the tofacitinib OCTAVE UC clinical program. Design: This post hoc analysis evaluated patients in the 8-week OCTAVE Induction 1 and 2, 52-week OCTAVE Sustain, and OCTAVE Open (open-label, long-term extension) studies. Methods: IRs [95% confidence interval (CI)] for colectomy were analyzed. Baseline risk factors based on clinical guidelines: aged <40 years at diagnosis, extensive colitis, severe endoscopic disease [Mayo endoscopic subscore (MES) = 3], hospitalization for UC within 12 months, C-reactive protein (CRP) >3 mg/L, and serum albumin <3.5 g/dL. Baseline risk factors were evaluated in patients who underwent colectomy by study and summarized descriptively. Results: Over a maximum of 7.8 years of tofacitinib exposure, 14 patients underwent colectomy: 3/1139 (0.3%) in OCTAVE Induction 1 and 2 [tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily (BID): n = 2; placebo: n = 1], 3/593 (0.5%) in OCTAVE Sustain (placebo: n = 3), and 8/944 (0.8%) in OCTAVE Open (tofacitinib 10 mg BID: n = 8). Colectomy IR per 100 patient-years for all patients who received ⩾1 tofacitinib dose was 0.34 (95% CI: 0.16-0.63). All patients who underwent colectomy had ⩾1 risk factor and prior tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) failure, among which the most common risk factors were a MES of 3 (n = 13), CRP >3 mg/L (n = 11), and aged <40 years at diagnosis (n = 9). Conclusions: Among patients with moderate to severe UC receiving tofacitinib, colectomies were infrequent; all patients undergoing colectomy had prior TNFi failure, and most had multiple additional risk factors. This provides important information to discuss with patients and inform management decisions. Registration: NCT01465763; NCT01458951; NCT01458574; and NCT01470612.

Impact of Concomitant Corticosteroids on Tofacitinib Induction Efficacy and Infection Rates in Ulcerative Colitis.

BACKGROUND: Tofacitinib is an oral small molecule Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. AIM: To report efficacy and infection rates in patients receiving tofacitinib induction treatment, by baseline corticosteroid status. METHODS: We evaluated efficacy and safety data from OCTAVE Induction 1&2 in patients with moderately-to-severely active ulcerative colitis who received tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily or placebo for 8 weeks, based on induction baseline oral corticosteroid use (Corticosteroid-Yes/No) and dose (< 20/ ≥ 20 mg/day). Infections of interest included serious infections, herpes zoster (HZ), and adjudicated opportunistic infections (OIs). RESULTS: At OCTAVE Induction 1&2 baseline, 478/1092 (43.8%) patients were receiving corticosteroids. Tofacitinib demonstrated significant induction efficacy versus placebo for both Corticosteroid-Yes and Corticosteroid-No. With adjustment for prior tumor necrosis factor inhibitor and immunosuppressant failure, there were no statistically significant differences in remission and clinical response rates for Corticosteroid-Yes versus Corticosteroid-No. Among tofacitinib-treated patients, HZ and OIs occurred more frequently in Corticosteroid-Yes versus Corticosteroid-No, regardless of dose (< 20 mg vs. ≥ 20 mg). Infection incidence rates (regardless of severity/seriousness) during tofacitinib induction were generally similar regardless of baseline corticosteroid use. The proportion of tofacitinib-treated patients with HZ was 0.2% for Corticosteroid-No versus 1.1% for Corticosteroid-Yes < 20 mg and 1.0% for Corticosteroid-Yes ≥ 20 mg. Two out of three patients had HZ OIs. CONCLUSIONS: Tofacitinib induction efficacy (clinical response and remission) was similar in baseline corticosteroid subgroups. Infections of interest were rare; HZ and OIs occurred more frequently among those receiving tofacitinib and corticosteroids versus those receiving tofacitinib without corticosteroids. TRIAL REGISTRATION: http://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov (NCT01465763[21/10/2011]; NCT01458951[21/10/2011]).

Long-term Risk of Herpes Zoster Infection in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis Receiving Tofacitinib.

BACKGROUND: Tofacitinib is an oral, small molecule Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). We report herpes zoster (HZ) incidence and risk factors in the tofacitinib UC clinical program (up to 7.8 years). METHODS: Proportions and incidence rates (IRs; unique patients with events/100 patient-years) of HZ were evaluated in 4 cohorts: Induction (phase 2 and 3 induction study data), Maintenance (phase 3 maintenance study data), Overall (data from all phase 2, 3, and open-label, long-term extension studies), and Overall plus interim 6-month phase 3b and 4 data. Herpes zoster risk factors were assessed by Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: In the Induction and Maintenance Cohorts, IRs for HZ (nonserious and serious) were numerically higher with tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily (BID) vs placebo and tofacitinib 10 vs 5 mg BID, respectively. With all tofacitinib doses (5 or 10 mg BID), IRs (95% confidence intervals) for HZ in the Overall and Overall plus phase 3b/4 Cohorts (total exposure, 2814.4 and 2999.7 patient-years, respectively) were 3.38 (2.73-4.15) and 3.30 (2.67-4.04), respectively. In the Overall plus phase 3b/4 Cohort, >90% of HZ were nonserious; >90% were mild/moderate; >90% resolved without discontinuing tofacitinib; 0.6% of patients had multiple HZ events. Herpes zoster IRs were stable when analyzed by 6-month intervals up to >30 months. Herpes zoster risk factors included older age, lower weight, geographic region, and prior tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) failure. CONCLUSIONS: Most HZ events were mild/moderate. Herpes zoster IRs remained stable over 7.8 years of exposure. Older age, lower weight, geographic region, and prior TNFi failure were associated with increased HZ risk. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV: NCT00787202;NCT01465763;NCT01458951;NCT01458574;NCT01470612;NCT03281304.

Incidence rates for herpes zoster in patients with ulcerative colitis have remained stable over 7.8 years of tofacitinib exposure. Older age, lower weight, geographic region, and prior tumor necrosis factor inhibitor failure were identified as significant herpes zoster risk factors.

Influenza Adverse Events in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ulcerative Colitis, or Psoriatic Arthritis in the Tofacitinib Clinical Development Programs.

INTRODUCTION: This post hoc analysis evaluated influenza adverse events (AEs) across rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ulcerative colitis (UC), and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) tofacitinib clinical programs. METHODS: Available data from phase 1, randomized phase 2/3/3b/4 clinical trials (completed by 2018), and long-term extension (LTE) studies (up to May 2019) in patients with RA, UC, and PsA were included [randomized or Overall (phase 1-3b/4 and LTE studies) tofacitinib cohorts]. Incidence rates (IRs; events per 100 patient-years) of combined influenza AEs (seasons 2004/2005 to 2018/2019) were analyzed, including by tofacitinib dose [5 or 10 mg twice daily (BID)] and age (< 65 versus ≥ 65 years). Logistic regression models evaluated risk factors for influenza AEs in the RA Overall tofacitinib cohort. RESULTS: In randomized cohorts, combined influenza AE IRs were generally similar across tofacitinib, adalimumab, methotrexate, and placebo groups, across indications. Among Overall tofacitinib cohorts, combined influenza AE IRs with tofacitinib 5/10 mg BID, respectively, were higher in the UC (3.66/5.09) versus RA (2.38/2.19) and PsA (1.74/1.29) cohorts. IRs were generally similar across tofacitinib dose and age groups. Most influenza AEs were nonserious and did not require changes to tofacitinib treatment. Significant risk factors for influenza AEs in patients with RA were geographic region, baseline oral corticosteroid and methotrexate use, and tofacitinib dose. CONCLUSIONS: In the RA, UC, and PsA clinical programs, combined influenza AE IRs were highest in UC, while in each indication they were generally similar across tofacitinib, placebo, and comparator groups. Influenza AEs were predominantly nonserious and not associated with changes to tofacitinib treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS: NCT01262118, NCT01484561, NCT00147498, NCT00413660, NCT00550446, NCT00603512, NCT00687193, NCT01164579, NCT00976599, NCT01059864, NCT01359150, NCT02147587, NCT00960440, NCT00847613, NCT00814307, NCT00856544, NCT00853385, NCT01039688, NCT02281552, NCT02187055, NCT02831855, NCT00413699, NCT00661661, NCT00787202, NCT01465763, NCT01458951, NCT01458574, NCT01470612, NCT01877668, NCT01882439, NCT01976364.

Assessment of Safety and Efficacy of Tofacitinib, Stratified by Age, in Patients from the Ulcerative Colitis Clinical Program.

BACKGROUND: In patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), risks of infection and malignancies increase with age. Tofacitinib is an oral, small molecule Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of UC. This analysis assessed age as a risk factor for adverse events of special interest (AESI) in the tofacitinib UC clinical program. METHODS: Data were from phase 2 and 3 induction studies, a phase 3 maintenance study, and an open-label, long-term extension study. Efficacy and/or safety outcomes were analyzed in the Induction, Maintenance, and Overall Cohorts (patients who received ≥ 1 dose of tofacitinib), stratified by age. The effects of baseline demographic and disease-related factors on AESI incidence were assessed by Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis. RESULTS: In the Overall Cohort (1157 patients with ≤ 6.8 years' tofacitinib treatment), age was a statistically significant predictor of herpes zoster (HZ), malignancies excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC), and NMSC. Other statistically significant predictors included prior tumor necrosis factor inhibitor failure for HZ, NMSC, and opportunistic infection events, and prior duration of UC for malignancies excluding NMSC. In the Induction and Maintenance Cohorts, a higher proportion of tofacitinib-treated than placebo-treated patients (numerical difference) achieved the efficacy endpoints (endoscopic improvement, clinical remission, clinical response) across all age groups. CONCLUSIONS: Older individuals receiving tofacitinib as induction and maintenance therapy to treat UC may have an increased risk of HZ, malignancies (excluding NMSC), and NMSC versus similarly treated younger patients, consistent with findings from the general population. Across all age groups, tofacitinib demonstrated greater efficacy than placebo as an induction and maintenance therapy. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV REGISTRATION NUMBERS: NCT00787202; NCT01465763; NCT01458951; NCT01458574; NCT01470612.

Age was assessed as a risk factor for adverse events of special interest in the tofacitinib ulcerative colitis clinical program. Older individuals receiving tofacitinib may have an increased risk of herpes zoster, malignancies (excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer), and nonmelanoma skin cancer versus similarly treated younger patients.

Tofacitinib for the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis: An Integrated Summary of up to 7.8 Years of Safety Data from the Global Clinical Programme.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Tofacitinib is an oral small molecule Janus kinase [JAK] inhibitor for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. We report an integrated summary of tofacitinib safety [exposure: ≤7.8 years] from the global clinical programme. METHODS: Patients receiving tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg twice daily [BID] from completed phase [P]2/3 placebo-controlled studies, an open-label, long-term extension study [final data cut-off: August 24, 2020], and interim analysis of a P3b/4 study (interim data cut-off: February 20, 2020; Overall plus P3b/4 [2020] Cohort) were included. Proportions with adverse events [AEs] and serious AEs, and incidence rates [IRs; unique patients with events/100 patient-years] for deaths and AEs of special interest [AESI] were evaluated. Opportunistic infections, malignancies, major adverse cardiovascular events [MACE] and gastrointestinal perforations were adjudicated. RESULTS: In total, 1157 patients received one or more dose of tofacitinib (mean duration: 946.9 days); 955/1157 [83%] received a predominant dose of 10 mg BID; 412/1157 [35.6%] received tofacitinib for >4 years; 992/1157 [85.7%] had AEs, 244/1157 [21.1%] had serious AEs and 134/1157 (11.6%) discontinued use due to AEs. IRs [95% confidence intervals] for all tofacitinib doses were: deaths, 0.23 [0.09-0.46]; serious infections, 1.69 [1.26-2.21]; herpes zoster [non-serious and serious], 3.30 [2.67-4.04]; opportunistic infections, 1.03 [0.70-1.46]; malignancies (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer [NMSC]), 0.84 [0.55-1.24]; NMSC, 0.73 [0.45-1.10]; MACE, 0.29 [0.13-0.55]; deep vein thrombosis, 0.03 [0.00-0.18]; pulmonary embolism, 0.19 [0.07-0.42]; gastrointestinal perforations, 0.10 [0.02-0.28]. CONCLUSIONS: AESI IRs were stable to 7.8 years and generally <2.0 in the Overall plus P3b/4 [2020] Cohort, with the exception of herpes zoster [a known risk of tofacitinib treatment]. ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT00787202;NCT01465763;NCT01458951;NCT01458574;NCT01470612;NCT03281304JCC Topic/keyword selection: 3. Clinical trials.

Modified Mayo score versus Mayo score for evaluation of treatment efficacy in patients with ulcerative colitis: data from the tofacitinib OCTAVE program.

Objectives: The subjectivity of the Physician Global Assessment (PGA) is a limitation of the Mayo score in assessing severity of ulcerative colitis (UC). We compared treatment efficacy using endpoint definitions based on modified Mayo (mMayo) score, versus those based on Mayo score, using data from the tofacitinib OCTAVE program. Design: This post hoc analysis included data from two 8-week induction studies (OCTAVE Induction 1 and 2) and a 52-week maintenance study (OCTAVE Sustain). Methods: Remission and clinical response [with nonresponder imputation (NRI)] were assessed using mMayo (without PGA) and Mayo scores, and further stratified by prior tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) failure status. Results: At week 8 of OCTAVE Induction 1 and 2, remission rates with placebo and tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily (BID), respectively, were 7.7% and 24.8% (mMayo) and 6.0% and 17.6% (Mayo). At week 52 of OCTAVE Sustain, remission rates with placebo, tofacitinib 5 and 10 mg BID, respectively, were 12.1%, 35.9%, and 42.1% (mMayo) and 11.1%, 34.3%, and 40.6% (Mayo). A statistically significant (p < 0.05) treatment effect of tofacitinib versus placebo was observed for remission and clinical response at all time points, regardless of scoring definition or prior TNFi failure status. Conclusions: A significant effect of tofacitinib versus placebo was demonstrated across efficacy endpoints using mMayo score, consistent with previously reported data using Mayo score. Treatment effect sizes were generally similar regardless of scoring definition. This observation may help contextualize tofacitinib therapy outcomes with those of new UC therapies and support the use of Mayo score-based endpoints in UC clinical trials. Trail registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers: NCT01465763; NCT01458951; NCT01458574.

Exposure-Response Characterization of Tofacitinib Efficacy in Moderate to Severe Ulcerative Colitis: Results From Phase II and Phase III Induction and Maintenance Studies.

Tofacitinib is an oral small molecule JAK inhibitor for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Relationships between plasma tofacitinib concentration and efficacy were characterized using exposure-response (E-R) models, with demographic and disease covariates evaluated as potential predictors of efficacy. Data were from phase II and III (OCTAVE Induction 1 and 2) induction studies, and a phase III maintenance study (OCTAVE Sustain). Induction studies included 1,355 patients (tofacitinib 0.5, 3, 10, or 15 mg b.i.d. or placebo). The maintenance study included 592 patients (tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg b.i.d. or placebo). E-R models, including induction patients predicted placebo-adjusted remission rates of 6.4% and 12.7% at week 8 for tofacitinib 5 and 10 mg b.i.d., respectively; corresponding rates in patients without prior tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) failure were 12.8% and 20.4%. Estimates to achieve/maintain remission at week 52 of maintenance were 29% and 18% (tofacitinib 5 mg b.i.d.), and 41% and 26% (tofacitinib 10 mg b.i.d.), for patients in remission or not following induction, respectively. During maintenance, patients with prior TNFi failure had lower probability of remission on 5 mg b.i.d. (24.9%) than 10 mg b.i.d. (35.0%). Results indicated tofacitinib 10 mg b.i.d. was an appropriate induction dose but suggested efficacy with 5 mg b.i.d. in patients without prior TNFi failure. Tofacitinib 5 mg b.i.d. was efficacious for maintenance, although patients with prior TNFi failure might see additional benefit on 10 mg b.i.d. Per product labeling, recommended tofacitinib induction dose is 10 mg b.i.d., then maintenance at 5 mg b.i.d. For patients who lose response during maintenance, 10 mg b.i.d. may be considered, limited to the shortest duration. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT00787202; NCT01465763; NCT01458951; and NCT01458574.

Efficacy and Safety of Tofacitinib in Ulcerative Colitis Based on Prior Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitor Failure Status.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Tofacitinib is an oral, small-molecule Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). We summarize the efficacy and safety data of tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg twice daily in the UC clinical program, stratified by prior tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) failure status. METHODS: Efficacy was assessed in the pooled phase 3 OCTAVE Induction 1 and 2 studies (N = 1139), the phase 3 OCTAVE Sustain maintenance study (N = 593), and the dose-escalation subpopulation of the open-label, long-term extension OCTAVE Open study (N = 59). Safety was assessed in OCTAVE Sustain, the dose-escalation subpopulation, and the Overall Cohort, which included patients from OCTAVE Induction 1 and 2, OCTAVE Sustain, and OCTAVE Open (N = 1124; no prior TNFi failure N = 541; prior TNFi failure N = 583; phase 2 data were excluded when stratified by prior TNFi failure status). The dose-escalation subpopulation received tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily in OCTAVE Induction 1 and 2, tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily in OCTAVE Sustain, and tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily in OCTAVE Open. RESULTS: Tofacitinib had greater efficacy than placebo, regardless of prior TNFi failure status. In OCTAVE Sustain and the Overall Cohort, herpes zoster [HZ] (nonserious and serious) rates were numerically higher in tofacitinib-treated patients with vs without prior TNFi failure. Dose escalation to tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily generally recaptured clinical response for most patients. HZ (nonserious and serious) rates were numerically higher in the dose-escalation subpopulation vs the Overall Cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Tofacitinib was efficacious in patients with UC regardless of prior TNFi failure status. HZ (nonserious and serious) rates were numerically higher in patients who had previously failed TNFi. ClinicalTrials.gov: A3921063 (NCT00787202); OCTAVE Induction 1 (NCT01465763); OCTAVE Induction 2 (NCT01458951); OCTAVE Sustain (NCT01458574); and OCTAVE Open (NCT01470612).

Tofacitinib for the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis: Analysis of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer Rates From the Ulcerative Colitis Clinical Program.

BACKGROUND: Tofacitinib is an oral, small molecule Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). We present integrated analyses of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) incidence in the tofacitinib UC clinical program. METHODS: Nonmelanoma skin cancer events were evaluated from 3 randomized, placebo-controlled studies: 2 identical, 8-week induction studies (NCT01465763, NCT01458951), a 52-week maintenance study (NCT01458574), and an open-label, long-term extension study (NCT01470612). Cohorts analyzed were: Induction, Maintenance, and Overall (patients receiving ≥1 dose of tofacitinib 5 mg or 10 mg twice daily [BID]). An independent adjudication committee reviewed potential NMSC. Proportions and incidence rates (IRs; unique patients with events per 100 patient-years of exposure) for NMSC were evaluated. A Cox proportional hazards model was used for risk factor analysis. RESULTS: Nonmelanoma skin cancer was evaluated for 1124 patients (2576.4 patient-years of tofacitinib exposure; ≤6.8 years' treatment). In the Induction Cohort, NMSC IR was 0.00 for placebo and 1.26 for 10 mg BID. Nonmelanoma skin cancer IR was 0.97 for placebo, 0.00 for 5 mg BID and 1.91 for 10 mg BID in the Maintenance Cohort, and 0.73 (n = 19) in the Overall Cohort. No NMSC was metastatic or led to discontinuation. In the Overall Cohort, Cox regression identified prior NMSC (hazard ratio [HR], 9.09; P = 0.0001), tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) failure (3.32; P = 0.0363), and age (HR per 10-year increase, 2.03; P = 0.0004) as significant independent NMSC risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: For patients receiving tofacitinib, NMSC occurred infrequently. Older age, prior NMSC, and TNFi failure, which are previously reported NMSC risk factors in patients with UC, were associated with increased NMSC risk.

Safety and efficacy of tofacitinib for treatment of ulcerative colitis: final analysis of OCTAVE Open, an open-label, long-term extension study with up to 7.0 years of treatment.

BACKGROUND: Tofacitinib is an oral, small molecule Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. We present final data from OCTAVE Open, an open-label, long-term extension study. AIMS: The primary objective of OCTAVE Open was to assess the safety and tolerability of long-term tofacitinib in patients with ulcerative colitis; evaluating efficacy was a secondary objective. METHODS: Eligible patients included OCTAVE Induction 1&2 non-responders and OCTAVE Sustain completers/treatment failures. Patients in remission at OCTAVE Open baseline received tofacitinib 5 mg b.d.; all others received 10 mg b.d. Incidence rates (unique patients with events/100 patient-years) for adverse events of special interest were calculated; ≤7.0 years of observation. Efficacy endpoints derived from Mayo score were reported ≤36 months (last scheduled endoscopy visit). RESULTS: In OCTAVE Open, 769 of 944 patients (81.5%) initially received tofacitinib 10 mg b.d. Among all patients (2440.8 patient-years of exposure), incidence rates (IRs; 95% confidence intervals) for deaths and adverse events of special interest were: deaths, 0.25 (0.09-0.54); serious infections, 1.61 (1.14-2.20); herpes zoster (non-serious and serious), 3.16 (2.47-3.97); opportunistic infections, 0.87 (0.54-1.33); major adverse cardiovascular events, 0.16 (0.04-0.42); malignancies (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer), 1.03 (0.67-1.52); non-melanoma skin cancer, 0.75 (0.45-1.19); deep vein thrombosis, 0.04 (0.00-0.23); pulmonary embolism, 0.21 (0.07-0.48). At Month 36, 66.9% and 40.3% showed clinical response, 64.6% and 37.1% had endoscopic improvement, and 58.9% and 33.7% maintained or achieved remission, with tofacitinib 5 and 10 mg b.d. respectively. CONCLUSION: Tofacitinib demonstrated consistent safety up to 7.0  years. Data collected up to Month 36 support long-term efficacy beyond the 52-week maintenance study.

Agreement between local and central reading of endoscopic disease activity in ulcerative colitis: results from the tofacitinib OCTAVE trials.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopy is routine in trials of ulcerative colitis therapies. AIM: To investigate agreement between central and local Mayo endoscopic subscore (MES) reads in the OCTAVE programme METHODS: Flexible sigmoidoscopy was performed in tofacitinib induction (OCTAVE Induction 1&2, NCT01465763 and NCT01458951), maintenance (OCTAVE Sustain, NCT01458574) and open-label, long-term extension (OCTAVE Open, NCT01470612) studies. Kappa statistics and Bowker's tests evaluated agreement/disagreement between centrally and locally read MES, with potential determinants of differences analysed by logistic regression. RESULTS: Moderate-to-substantial agreement was observed between central and local reads at screening (77.1% agreement; kappa 0.62 [95% confidence interval 0.59-0.66]), OCTAVE Induction 1&2 week (Wk) 8 (63.8%; 0.62 [0.59-0.66]), OCTAVE Sustain Wk 52 (55.6%; 0.56 [0.50-0.62]) and for induction non-responders at OCTAVE Open month 2 (59.9%; 0.54 [0.48-0.60]). Where disagreements occurred, local reads were systematically lower than central reads at OCTAVE Induction 1&2 Wk 8, OCTAVE Sustain Wk 52 and OCTAVE Open month 2 (Bowker's P < 0.0001); this difference was not observed at screening (P = 0.0852). Using multivariable logistic regression, geographical region, C-reactive protein (Wk 8), partial Mayo score (Wk 8) and prior tumour necrosis factor antagonist failure were associated with disparity at OCTAVE Induction 1&2 Wk 8 (P < 0.05). In OCTAVE Induction 1&2 and OCTAVE Sustain, significantly higher proportions of patients endoscopic improvement, remission and endoscopic remission with tofacitinib vs placebo, using either central or local reads. CONCLUSION: Moderate-to-substantial agreement was observed between central and local endoscopic reads. Where disagreements occurred, local reads were systematically lower than central reads at most timepoints, suggesting potential bias. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01465763, NCT01458951, NCT01458574, NCT01470612.

Efficacy and Safety of Tofacitinib Re-treatment for Ulcerative Colitis After Treatment Interruption: Results from the OCTAVE Clinical Trials.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Tofacitinib is an oral, small molecule Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Here, we evaluate the efficacy and safety of tofacitinib re-treatment following treatment interruption in patients with ulcerative colitis. METHODS: Here, patients with clinical response to tofacitinib 10 mg b.d. induction therapy were randomised to receive placebo in OCTAVE Sustain. Those experiencing treatment failure after Week 8 of OCTAVE Sustain entered OCTAVE Open and re-initiated tofacitinib 10 mg b.d. [re-treatment subpopulation]; efficacy and safety data are presented up to Month 36 of OCTAVE Open. RESULTS: Median time to treatment failure following interruption was 169 (95% confidence interval [CI], 94.0-179.0) and 123 [95% CI, 91.0-168.0] days for induction remitters, and induction responders but non-remitters, respectively. Following re-treatment with tofacitinib, rates (non-responder imputation after a patient discontinued; latest observation carried forward imputation after a patient advanced to a subsequent study [NRI-LOCF]) of clinical response, remission, and endoscopic improvement were 74.0%, 39.0%, and 55.0% at Month 2, and 48.5%, 37.4%, and 42.4% at Month 36, respectively. Among induction remitters and induction responders but non-remitters, clinical response rates at Month 36 were 60.6% and 42.4% [NRI-LOCF], respectively. Efficacy was recaptured regardless of prior tumour necrosis factor inhibitor failure status. The safety profile of tofacitinib 10 mg b.d. re-treatment was consistent with the overall cohort and demonstrated no new safety risks associated with exposure of ≤36 months. CONCLUSIONS: Median time to treatment failure was numerically higher in induction remitters versus induction responders but non-remitters. Following treatment interruption, efficacy was safely and successfully recaptured with tofacitinib 10 mg b.d. re-treatment in a substantial proportion of patients [ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT01458574;NCT01470612].

Tofacitinib Treatment Safety in Moderate to Severe Ulcerative Colitis: Comparison of Observational Population Cohort Data From the IBM MarketScan® Administrative Claims Database With Tofacitinib Trial Data.

BACKGROUND: Tofacitinib is an oral, small molecule Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). We aimed to estimate the overall incidence of safety events in patients with UC in a real-life population cohort for comparison with the tofacitinib UC clinical trial program. METHODS: Clinical trial-like criteria were applied to an IBM MarketScan® claims database population-based cohort (n = 22,967) of patients with UC (October 2010 to September 2015) to identify a UC trial-like cohort treated with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi; n = 6366) to compare with the tofacitinib UC clinical trial cohort (n = 1157). RESULTS: Incidence rates (events per 100 patient-years; [95% confidence interval]) in the UC trial-like cohort were as follows: serious infections, 3.33 (2.73-4.02); opportunistic infections (OIs; excluding herpes zoster [HZ]), 1.45 (1.06-1.93); HZ, 1.77 (1.34-2.29); malignancies (excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer [NMSC]), 0.63 (0.43-0.90); NMSC, 1.69 (1.35-2.10); major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), 0.51 (0.31-0.79); pulmonary embolism (PE), 0.54 (0.30-0.89); deep vein thrombosis (DVT), 1.41 (1.00-1.93); and gastrointestinal perforations, 0.31 (0.16-0.54). Compared with the UC trial-like cohort, tofacitinib-treated patients had numerically lower incidence rates for serious infections (1.75 [1.27-2.36]), OIs (excluding HZ; 0.16 [0.04-0.42]), NMSC (0.78 [0.47-1.22]), PE (0.16 [0.04-0.41]), and DVT (0.04 [0.00-0.23]), and a higher rate for HZ (3.57 [2.84-4.43]); rates for malignancies (excluding NMSC), MACE, and gastrointestinal perforations were similar. CONCLUSIONS: When acknowledging limitations of comparing claims data with controlled clinical trial data, incidence rates for HZ among TNFi-treated patients in the UC trial-like cohort were lower than in the tofacitinib UC clinical trial cohort; rates for serious infections, OIs, NMSC, PE, and DVT were numerically higher. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV: NCT00787202, NCT01465763, NCT01458951, NCT01458574, NCT01470612.

Outcomes of Tofacitinib Dose Reduction in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis in Stable Remission from the Randomised RIVETING Trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Tofacitinib is an oral, small molecule Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. We present primary completion analysis from RIVETING, an ongoing, double-blind, randomised, parallel-group trial evaluating efficacy and safety of tofacitinib dose reduction to 5 mg twice daily [BID] versus remaining on 10 mg BID in patients in stable remission on tofacitinib 10 mg BID maintenance therapy. METHODS: Patients had received tofacitinib 10 mg BID for ≥ 2 consecutive years and been in stable remission for ≥ 6 months before enrolment. The primary endpoint was modified Mayo score remission at Month 6. Safety was assessed up to February 20, 2020 [data cut-off]. RESULTS: In all, 140 patients were randomised [1:1] to tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg BID; 77.1% and 90.0% of patients in the 5 and 10 mg BID groups, respectively, were in modified Mayo score remission at Month 6 (adjusted difference 12.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.5-25.0). Smaller differences between treatment groups were seen in patients with baseline endoscopic subscore of 0 versus 1 [9.8%; -3.0-22.6, and 21.1%; -6.1-48.2, respectively], and in patients without versus with prior tumour necrosis factor inhibitor [TNFi] failure [9.5%; -6.6-25.6, and 17.4%; -1.6-36.3, respectively]. Adverse events [AE] and serious AE rates were similar across treatment groups; no deaths were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients in stable remission on 10 mg BID maintenance therapy maintained remission following dose de-escalation. For patients who dose de-escalated, those in deep endoscopic remission and those without prior TNFi failure were more likely to maintain remission. Efficacy data were limited to the first 6 months; a longer duration of follow-up during RIVETING will further characterise the impact of dose reduction on maintenance of remission. Safety findings were consistent with the established safety profile of tofacitinib.

Tofacitinib, an Oral Janus Kinase Inhibitor: Analysis of Malignancy (Excluding Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer) Events Across the Ulcerative Colitis Clinical Program.

BACKGROUND: Tofacitinib is an oral, small molecule Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). Here, we performed an integrated analysis of malignancy events from the tofacitinib phase 3 UC clinical development program (excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer [NMSC]). METHODS: Data (up to May 2019) were pooled from two phase 3 induction studies, a phase 3 maintenance study, and an ongoing, open-label, long-term extension (OLE) study, and analyzed as 3 cohorts: induction (N = 1139), maintenance (N = 592), and overall (induction, maintenance, and ongoing OLE study; N = 1124). Proportions and incidence rates (IRs; unique patients with events per 100 patient-years [PY] of exposure) for malignancies confirmed by adjudication were calculated. RESULTS: The overall cohort consisted of patients who received at least 1 dose of tofacitinib at 5 or 10 mg twice daily, for up to 6.8 years, with an exposure of 2576.4 PY. Of the 1124 overall cohort tofacitinib-treated patients, 20 developed a malignancy (excluding NMSC; IR, 0.75; 95% confidence interval, 0.46-1.16), of which 17 occurred in patients treated with tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily; importantly, more than 80% of patients predominantly received this dose. Furthermore, there was no apparent clustering of malignancy types, and IRs were stable over time. CONCLUSIONS: In the tofacitinib UC clinical development program, malignancy events were infrequent, and rates were comparable with those in the tofacitinib rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis clinical development programs, and for biologic UC treatments. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01465763, NCT01458951, NCT01458574, and NCT01470612.

The Impact of Raising the Bar for Clinical Trials in Ulcerative Colitis.

In order to identify the practical implications for both health care practitioners and patients in understanding differences between the results of trials assessing therapies for ulcerative colitis [UC], we reviewed clinical trials of therapies for moderate to severe UC, with a focus on trial design. Over time, patient populations in UC trials have become more refractory, reflecting that patients are failing treatment with additional and different classes of drug, including conventional therapies, immunosuppressant drugs, and anti-tumour necrosis factor therapies. Outcomes used to measure efficacy have become increasingly stringent in order to meet the expectations of patients and physicians, and the requirements of regulatory bodies. Trial design has also evolved to integrate induction and maintenance therapy phases, so as to facilitate patient recruitment and to answer clinically important questions such as how efficacious therapies are in specific subpopulations of patients and during long-term use. As UC clinical trial design continues to evolve, and with limited head-to-head trials and real-world comparative effectiveness studies evaluating UC therapies, careful judgment is required to appreciate the differences and similarities in trial designs, and to understand how these variances may affect the observed efficacy and safety outcomes.

Long-term safety and tolerability of oral tofacitinib in patients with Crohn's disease: results from a phase 2, open-label, 48-week extension study.

BACKGROUND: Tofacitinib is an oral, small molecule Janus kinase inhibitor that is being investigated for inflammatory bowel disease. AIMS: This 48-week open-label extension study primarily investigated long-term safety of tofacitinib 5 and 10 mg b.d. and secondarily investigated efficacy as maintenance therapy in patients with Crohn's disease. METHODS: Patients who had completed the phase 2b maintenance study, or withdrawn due to treatment failure, were enrolled. Patients in remission (Crohn's disease activity index <150) at baseline received tofacitinib 5 mg b.d.; all others received 10 mg b.d. A single dose adjustment was allowed after 8 weeks' fixed, open-label treatment. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients received tofacitinib 5 mg b.d.; 88 received 10 mg b.d. Both groups had similar rates of adverse events and serious infections. Crohn's disease worsening was the most frequent adverse event for tofacitinib 5 (33.9%) and 10 mg b.d. (19.3%). Patients not in remission at baseline, receiving 10 mg b.d., had higher rates of serious adverse events (19.3%) and discontinuation attributed to insufficient clinical response (30.7%) vs 5 mg b.d. (8.1% and 9.7%, respectively). At week 48, of patients with baseline remission receiving 5 mg b.d., 87.9% maintained remission and 75.0% sustained remission as observed (46.8% and 38.7%, respectively, by non-responder imputation). Study design prevented between-dose efficacy comparisons. CONCLUSIONS: No new safety signals emerged. Although both doses showed generally similar safety outcomes for overall adverse events, serious adverse events were more frequent for tofacitinib 10 than 5 mg b.d. Discontinuation due to insufficient clinical response was lower among patients in remission at baseline. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01470599.

Tofacitinib Induction Therapy Reduces Symptoms Within 3 Days for Patients With Ulcerative Colitis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Tofacitinib is an oral, small molecule inhibitor of JAK for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). We evaluated the onset of symptom improvement in post-hoc analyses of data from 2 phase 3 trials of induction therapy with tofacitinib in patients with UC (OCTAVE Induction 1 and 2). METHODS: The studies comprised patients with moderate to severe active UC who were intolerant to, or failed by previous treatment with, corticosteroids, thiopurines, and/or tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists. Patients received tofacitinib (10 mg twice daily, n = 905) or placebo (n = 234) for 8 weeks. Daily Mayo stool frequency and rectal bleeding subscores were calculated using diary data from the first 15 days of therapy. We analyzed data from subgroups including failure of prior anti-TNF therapy, baseline corticosteroid use, and baseline serum levels of C-reactive protein. RESULTS: Mean changes were significantly greater in patients given tofacitinib vs placebo in reductions from baseline stool frequency subscore (tofacitinib: -0.27 vs placebo: -0.11; P < .01), total number of daily bowel movements (-1.06 vs -0.27; P < .0001), and rectal bleeding subscore (-0.30 vs -0.14; P < .01) by day 3. Compared with placebo, more tofacitinib-treated patients had reductions from baseline in stool frequency subscore (by ≥1 point for tofacitinib, 241/837, 28.8% vs placebo, 39/218, 17.9%) (P < .01) and rectal bleeding subscore (by ≥1 point for tofacitinib, 266/830, 32.0% vs placebo, 43/214, 20.1%) (P < .01) by day 3. A consistent effect of tofacitinib was observed in all subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: In a post-hoc analysis of data from phase 3 trials of induction therapy with tofacitinib in patients with UC, we found significant improvements in symptoms among patients given tofacitinib compared with placebo within 3 days. These findings indicate the rapid onset of effect of this drug in patients with UC. ClinicalTrials.gov no: NCT01465763 and NCT01458951.