Apremilast monotherapy for long-term treatment of active psoriatic arthritis in DMARD-naïve patients.

OBJECTIVES: Apremilast monotherapy was evaluated up to 5 years in PALACE 4 (fourth PsA Long-term Assessment of Clinical Efficacy study) DMARD-naïve patients with PsA. METHODS: Patients with active PsA were randomized (1:1:1) to placebo, apremilast 30 mg or apremilast 20 mg twice a day. Placebo patients were rerandomized to apremilast at week 16 or 24. Double-blind apremilast continued to week 52, with a 4-year open-label extension (≤260 weeks of exposure). Analyses through week 260 were based on observed data. RESULTS: A total of 527 patients were treated. Among patients randomized to apremilast 30 mg at baseline, 45.5% completed week 260. At study end, 24.8% reported conventional synthetic DMARD or steroid use for any reason. At week 260, 65.8%/39.0%/20.3% of apremilast 30 mg patients achieved ACR20/ACR50/ACR70 responses, respectively. PsA sign and symptom improvements were sustained up to week 260 with continued treatment, including reductions in swollen (84.8%) and tender (76.4%) joint counts. Among apremilast 30 mg patients with baseline enthesitis or dactylitis, 71.2% achieved a Maastricht Ankylosing Spondylitis Enthesitis Score of 0 and 95.1% achieved a dactylitis count of 0. Over 50% of patients achieved a HAQ Disability Index minimal clinically important difference (≥0.35). In patients with ≥3% baseline psoriasis-involved body surface area, 60.3% and 47.6% achieved ≥50% and ≥75% improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index scores, respectively. Patients continuing apremilast 20 mg also demonstrated consistent, sustained improvements. The most common adverse events were diarrhoea, nausea, headache, upper respiratory tract infection and nasopharyngitis. No new safety concerns were observed long term. CONCLUSIONS: Apremilast led to sustained PsA efficacy up to 260 weeks and was well tolerated. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (http://clinicaltrials.gov), NCT01307423.

Articular and Extra-Articular Benefits in ACR20 Non-responders at Week 104 Treated With Apremilast: Pooled Analysis of Three Randomized Controlled Trials.

INTRODUCTION: PALACE 1, 2, and 3 were phase 3 studies aimed to evaluate apremilast efficacy and safety in patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) despite prior treatment with conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and/or biologics. The pooled analysis reported here further characterized the clinical outcomes associated with long-term apremilast exposure in patients failing to achieve ≥ 20% improvement in the American College of Rheumatology response criteria (ACR20) at Week 104. METHODS: Patients randomized to apremilast 30 mg twice daily at baseline and classified as ACR20 non-responders (ACR20NRs) or ACR20 responders (ACR20Rs) at Week 104 were included. Efficacy outcomes included change from baseline to Week 104 in ACR core components and other endpoints. RESULTS: At Week 104, a total of 109 patients were ACR20NRs and 193 were ACR20Rs. As expected, the ACR20R group had improvements in all indices assessed. The ACR20NR group demonstrated substantial mean improvements from baseline in swollen joint count (SJC; - 58%), tender joint count (TJC; - 42%), and Physician's Global Assessment of Disease Activity (PhGA; - 44%); resolution of enthesitis (34%) and dactylitis (68%); and achievement of ≥ 75% reduction from baseline Psoriasis Area and Severity Index scores (among patients with psoriasis involving ≥ 3% of the body surface area) (36%). CONCLUSION: Despite not fulfilling a formal ACR20 response at Week 104, ACR20NRs experienced sustained improvements in several PsA core domains, including SJC, TJC, enthesitis, dactylitis, and psoriasis, as well as the PhGA (visual analog scale) scores, with apremilast treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01172938, NCT01212757, and NCT01212770.

Descriptive Comparisons of the Effect of Apremilast and Methotrexate Monotherapy in Oligoarticular Psoriatic Arthritis: The Corrona Psoriatic Arthritis/Spondyloarthritis Registry Results.

OBJECTIVE: Therapeutic response was evaluated among new apremilast, methotrexate (MTX), or biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (bDMARD) initiators with oligoarticular psoriatic arthritis (PsA). METHODS: Patients with oligoarticular PsA in the Corrona PsA/Spondyloarthritis Registry initiating treatment with apremilast, MTX, or bDMARD, and completing 6-month follow-up were included. RESULTS: In total, 150 patients initiated monotherapy (apremilast: n = 34; MTX: n = 15; bDMARD: n = 101). Apremilast initiators had higher baseline disease activity than MTX initiators. At follow-up, apremilast initiators experienced numerically greater disease activity improvements than MTX initiators and similar improvements to bDMARD initiators. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest apremilast monotherapy is an effective option for patients with oligoarticular PsA.

Treatment-to-Target With Apremilast in Psoriatic Arthritis: The Probability of Achieving Targets and Comprehensive Control of Disease Manifestations.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the probability of achieving the Clinical Disease Activity Index for Psoriatic Arthritis (cDAPSA) treatment targets of remission or low disease activity (LDA) with apremilast based on disease activity categories and corresponding responses in arthritis and other domains of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) not included in the cDAPSA. METHODS: Pooled analyses from the Psoriatic Arthritis Long-term Assessment of Clinical Efficacy studies 1, 2, and 3 were performed. Probability analyses assessing the likelihood of achieving cDAPSA treatment targets by week 52 were performed using multiple imputation for discontinuations and missing values. Longitudinal analyses were performed in patients grouped by cDAPSA category at week 52. RESULTS: Among 494 patients in the probability analyses, 46.9% with moderate disease activity and 24.9% with high disease activity at baseline achieved treatment targets (remission or LDA) by week 52. For patients with moderate disease activity at baseline, small improvements (cDAPSA reductions ≥30%) by week 16 were associated with achieving targets. Patients achieving remission or LDA by week 16 had high probabilities of remaining at treatment targets at week 52. Of 375 patients with cDAPSA components available at week 52, achieving targets with apremilast was associated with continuous disease activity improvements and no or mild arthritis and other PsA manifestations. CONCLUSION: The probability of achieving treatment targets (remission or LDA) at week 52 was greater for patients with moderate versus high disease activity at baseline. At a mean level, partial improvements by week 16 were associated with achieving treatment targets. Patients receiving apremilast who achieved cDAPSA targets by week 52 also had no or mild arthritis or other PsA manifestations.

Long-term experience with apremilast in patients with psoriatic arthritis: 5-year results from a PALACE 1-3 pooled analysis.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy and safety of apremilast were assessed in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in three phase III clinical trials with similar designs (PALACE 1, 2, and 3). METHODS: Following a 24-week, randomized (1:1:1 to apremilast 30 mg twice daily, 20 mg twice daily, or placebo), double-blind phase and a 28-week blinded active treatment phase, patients could receive apremilast in open-label extension studies for an additional 4 years. Eligible adult patients had active PsA for ≥ 6 months and three or more swollen joints and three or more tender joints despite prior treatment with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. RESULTS: A total of 1493 randomized patients received one or more doses of study medication (placebo: n = 496; apremilast 30 mg twice daily: n = 497; apremilast 20 mg twice daily: n = 500). In patients continuing apremilast treatment, response was sustained without new safety issues. At week 260, 67.2% of remaining patients achieved an ACR20 response, and 44.4% and 27.4% achieved ACR50 and ACR70 responses, respectively. Among patients with baseline enthesitis and dactylitis, 62.4% achieved a Maastricht Ankylosing Spondylitis Enthesitis Score of 0 and 80.9% achieved a dactylitis count of 0, respectively. In patients who had ≥ 3% baseline psoriasis body surface area involvement, 43.6% achieved ≥ 75% reduction from the baseline Psoriasis Area and Severity Index scores. The most commonly reported adverse events (AEs) were diarrhea, nausea, headache, upper respiratory tract infection, and nasopharyngitis, with most diarrhea and nausea AEs occurring within the first 2 weeks of treatment and usually resolving within 4 weeks. Reported rates of depression during the study were low (≤ 1.8%). The majority of patients maintained their weight within 5% of baseline during the study. No new safety concerns or increases in the incidence or severity of AEs were observed over the long term. CONCLUSIONS: Apremilast maintained clinical benefit and a favorable safety profile for up to 5 years among patients with PsA. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01172938 , NCT01212757 , NCT01212770.

Therapeutic benefit of apremilast on enthesitis and dactylitis in patients with psoriatic arthritis: a pooled analysis of the PALACE 1-3 studies.

OBJECTIVE: The Psoriatic Arthritis Long-term Assessment of Clinical Efficacy (PALACE) clinical trial programme findings demonstrated that apremilast, an oral phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor, is effective for treating psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Enthesitis and dactylitis are difficult-to-treat features of PsA leading to disability and affecting quality of life. PALACE 1, 2 and 3 data were pooled to assess the efficacy of apremilast on enthesitis and dactylitis outcomes in patients with these conditions at baseline. METHODS: Patients with enthesitis (n=945) or dactylitis (n=633) at baseline were analysed after receiving double-blind treatment with placebo, apremilast 30 mg two times per day or apremilast 20 mg two times per day up to 52 weeks and continuing up to 5 years. Data were analysed through 156 weeks. Enthesitis was evaluated by Maastricht Ankylosing Spondylitis Enthesitis Score (MASES) and dactylitis via dactylitis count. RESULTS: At week 24, patients receiving apremilast 30 mg two times per day demonstrated a significantly greater mean change in enthesitis (-1.3 vs -0.9; p<0.05) and dactylitis (-1.8 vs -1.3; p<0.01) vs placebo. Patients in the 30 mg dose group showed significantly greater mean (-23.6% vs -7.0%; p<0.05) and median (-50.0% vs -21.1%; p<0.05) per cent changes in MASES; mean and median per cent changes in dactylitis count were numerically, but not significantly, different for either apremilast dose in patients with dactylitis. In the patient population remaining on apremilast, observed mean and median improvements in both conditions were sustained through 156 weeks. CONCLUSION: Apremilast is effective for the treatment of active PsA, including improvements in enthesitis and dactylitis up to 3 years. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS: NCT01172938, NCT01212757 and NCT01212770.

Testing treat-to-target outcomes with initial methotrexate monotherapy compared with initial tumour necrosis factor inhibitor (adalimumab) plus methotrexate in early rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To compare responses in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) initially treated with the tumour necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) adalimumab+methotrexate (MTX) versus MTX monotherapy who may have continued receiving MTX or switched to adalimumab rescue therapy after inadequate response to MTX. METHODS: OPTIMA enrolled MTX-naive patients with active RA for <1 year. This post hoc analysis determined the proportion of patients, stratified by initial treatment, who achieved 28-joint modified Disease Activity Score based on C reactive protein <3.2, normal function and/or no radiographic progression at weeks 26, 52 and 78. RESULTS: Significantly greater proportions of patients initially treated with adalimumab+MTX (n=466) compared with MTX monotherapy (n=460) achieved good clinical (53% vs 30%), functional (45% vs 33%) and radiographic (87% vs 72%) outcomes at week 26. From weeks 26 to 78, adalimumab rescue patients achieved similar clinical and functional outcomes versus patients initially treated with adalimumab+MTX. However, significantly more patients initially treated with adalimumab+MTX had no radiographic progression at weeks 52 and 78 versus patients initially treated with MTX (both timepoints: 86% vs 72%). CONCLUSIONS: In early RA, starting with MTX monotherapy and adding TNFi after 26 weeks yields similar longer term clinical results as starting with TNFi+MTX combination therapy but allows a small but significant accrual of radiographic damage.

Existing joint erosions increase the risk of joint space narrowing independently of clinical synovitis in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis.

INTRODUCTION: Clinical synovitis is often associated with damage to bone and cartilage. Previous data have suggested that joint erosions (JE) are more prevalent than joint space narrowing (JSN) and that the two processes are partly independent of each other. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the presence of JE in an individual joint can lead to development of JSN and if existing JSN leads to new onset of JE, in the absence of synovitis. METHODS: The Prospective Multi-Centre Randomised, Double-Blind, Active Comparator-Controlled, Parallel-Groups Study Comparing the Fully Human Monoclonal Anti-TNFα Antibody Adalimumab Given Every Second Week With Methotrexate Given Weekly and the Combination of Adalimumab and Methotrexate Administered Over 2 Years in Patients With Early Rheumatoid Arthritis (PREMIER) enrolled early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who were randomized to one of three treatments: methotrexate (MTX), adalimumab (ADA), or ADA + MTX. All evaluable joints with JE and JSN measures at 26 and 52 weeks and synovitis assessments from week 26 to 52 were included. Synovitis was assessed every 2-8 weeks by swollen joint counts between weeks 26 and 52. Radiographs were taken at week 26 and 52. Two readers, blinded to time and sequence, scored 14 bilateral joints individually for JE and JSN. Multivariate logistic modeling was used to characterize the dependence of JE/JSN onset at 52 weeks. Analyses were performed based on treatment arm and were also performed within individual joints. RESULTS: JE and swelling were independently and comparably associated with onset of JSN at week 52. Assessment by individual joints indicated that existing JE, independent of swelling, was significantly associated with JSN onset in higher proportions of metatarsophalangeal (MTP; 7/10) than proximal interphalangeal (PIP; 1/8) or metacarpophalangeal (MCP; 1/10) joints. Treatment with ADA + MTX prevents JE/JSN progression independently of its ability to suppress synovitis and limits JE/JSN onset and progression in joints with existing damage. CONCLUSIONS: Existing JE predisposes individual joints to development of JSN independently of synovitis in the same joint. Weight-bearing MTP joints with JE may be at increased risk for JSN when compared with MCPs and PIPs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00195663. Registered 13 September 2005.

Adjustment of therapy in rheumatoid arthritis on the basis of achievement of stable low disease activity with adalimumab plus methotrexate or methotrexate alone: the randomised controlled OPTIMA trial.

BACKGROUND: Biological agents offer good control of rheumatoid arthritis, but the long-term benefits of achieving low disease activity with a biological agent plus methotrexate or methotrexate alone are unclear. The OPTIMA trial assessed different treatment adjustment strategies in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis attaining (or not) stable low disease activity with adalimumab plus methotrexate or methotrexate monotherapy. METHODS: This trial was done at 161 sites worldwide. Patients with early (<1 year duration) rheumatoid arthritis naive to methotrexate were randomly allocated (by interactive voice response system, in a 1:1 ratio, block size four) to adalimumab (40 mg every other week) plus methotrexate (initiated at 7·5 mg/week, increased by 2·5 mg every 1-2 weeks to a maximum weekly dose of 20 mg by week 8) or placebo plus methotrexate for 26 weeks (period 1). Patients in the adalimumab plus methotrexate group who completed period 1 and achieved the stable low disease activity target (28-joint disease activity score with C-reactive protein [DAS28]<3·2 at weeks 22 and 26) were randomised to adalimumab-continuation or adalimumab-withdrawal for an additional 52 weeks (period 2). Patients achieving the target with initial methotrexate continued methotrexate-monotherapy. Inadequate responders were offered adalimumab plus methotrexate. All patients and investigators were masked to treatment allocation in period 1. During period 2, treatment reallocation of patients who achieved the target was masked to patients and investigators; patients who did not achieve the target remained masked to original randomisation, but were aware of the subsequent assignment. The primary endpoint was a composite measure of DAS28 of less than 3·2 at week 78 and radiographic non-progression from baseline to week 78, compared between adalimumab-continuation and methotrexate-monotherapy. Adverse events were monitored throughout period 2. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00420927. FINDINGS: The study was done between Dec 28, 2006, and Aug 3, 2010. 1636 patients were assessed and 1032 were randomised in period 1 (515 to adalimumab plus methotrexate; 517 to placebo plus methotrexate). 466 patients in the adalimumab plus methotrexate group completed period 1; 207 achieved the stable low disease activity target, of whom 105 were rerandomised to adalimumab-continuation. 460 patients in the placebo plus methotrexate group completed period 1; 112 achieved the stable low disease activity target and continued methotrexate-monotherapy. 73 of 105 (70%) patients in the adalimumab-continuation group and 61 of 112 (54%) patients in the methotrexate-monotherapy group achieved the primary endpoint at week 78 (mean difference 15% [95% CI 2-28%], p=0·0225). Patients achieving the stable low disease activity target on adalimumab plus methotrexate who withdrew adalimumab mostly maintained their good responses. Overall, 706 of 926 patients in period 2 had an adverse event, of which 82 were deemed serious; however, distribution of adverse events did not differ between groups. INTERPRETATION: Treatment to a stable low disease activity target resulted in improved clinical, functional, and structural outcomes, with both adalimumab-continuation and methotrexate-monotherapy. However, a higher proportion of patients treated with initial adalimumab plus methotrexate achieved the low disease activity target compared with those initially treated with methotrexate alone. Outcomes were much the same whether adalimumab was continued or withdrawn in patients who initially responded to adalimumab plus methotrexate. FUNDING: AbbVie.

Clinical, functional, and radiographic implications of time to treatment response in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis: a posthoc analysis of the PREMIER study.

OBJECTIVE: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment recommendations suggest target attainment within the first 3 months of therapy, yet delayed clinical responses can occur. This analysis assessed the longterm clinical, functional, and radiographic outcomes associated with delayed responses to methotrexate (MTX) monotherapy or to the combination of adalimumab (ADA) + MTX. METHODS: In this posthoc analysis, patients with early RA who received MTX monotherapy or ADA + MTX in the PREMIER study were categorized based on clinical responses at 3 and 6 months [American College of Rheumatology response, 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28)-C-reactive protein (CRP) improvement and targets]. "Month 3" responders met the clinical measure at both months 3 and 6, and "Month 6" responders met the clinical measure only at Month 6. The odds of achieving longterm outcomes [remission (DAS28-CRP < 2.6), normal function (Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index < 0.5), or rapid radiographic progression (Δ modified total Sharp score > 3 U/yr)] were modeled using logistic regression, including treatment, response, and interaction. RESULTS: A delayed or low-level response was associated with poorer longterm outcomes. Generally, MTX Month 6 responders demonstrated worse clinical, functional, and radiographic outcomes than Month 3 MTX and Month 3 or 6 ADA + MTX responders. Although similar longterm benefit was observed for ADA + MTX responders, delayed (Month 6) responders exhibited downward trends in clinical, functional, and radiographic outcomes that were comparable with those experienced by Month 3 MTX responders. CONCLUSION: Response speed and magnitude predict longterm outcomes in patients with early RA treated with MTX or ADA + MTX. MTX-treated patients failing to demonstrate a Month 3 clinical response have less-favorable outcomes than other groups, while outcomes in ADA + MTX Month 3 and Month 6 responders tended to be comparable.

Clinical, functional, and radiographic benefits of longterm adalimumab plus methotrexate: final 10-year data in longstanding rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the longterm effectiveness and safety of adalimumab in patients with longstanding rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and an inadequate response to methotrexate (MTX), and to assess the effect of a 1-year delay in initiation of combination therapy. METHODS: DE019 was a 1-year randomized controlled trial (RCT) in which patients received adalimumab 20 mg weekly, adalimumab 40 mg every other week (eow), or placebo; all received concomitant MTX. Patients completing the RCT could receive open-label adalimumab 40 mg eow + MTX for an additional 9 years. Clinical, functional, and radiographic outcomes were assessed using composite measures of disease activity (e.g., American College of Rheumatology responses, 28-joint Disease Activity Score with C-reactive protein, Simplified Disease Activity Index), Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index, and the modified total Sharp score (mTSS), respectively. RESULTS: Of the 619 patients randomized, 457 entered the open-label extension; 202 completed 10 years. At Year 10, patients demonstrated effective disease control and inhibition of radiographic progression. Differences in clinical and functional responses between adalimumab + MTX and placebo + MTX observed during the RCT became less apparent at Year 10. Still, patients who initially received adalimumab + MTX had significantly lower mean ΔmTSS at Year 10 compared with patients who initially received placebo + MTX. No new safety signals arose following up to 10 years of adalimumab + MTX exposure. CONCLUSION: During up to 10 years of treatment with adalimumab + MTX, patients with longstanding RA experienced effective disease control with no change to the expected safety profile. A 1-year delay in receipt of adalimumab + MTX was associated with reduced effectiveness, suggesting that a window of opportunity to prevent irreversible damage exists even in a population with established RA.

Clinical, functional and radiographic consequences of achieving stable low disease activity and remission with adalimumab plus methotrexate or methotrexate alone in early rheumatoid arthritis: 26-week results from the randomised, controlled OPTIMA study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of adalimumab plus methotrexate (ADA+MTX) compared with methotrexate monotherapy in achieving stable low disease activity (LDA; disease activity score (DAS28(CRP)) <3.2 at weeks 22 and 26) and clinical, radiographic and functional outcomes in methotrexate-naive patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: 1032 patients with active RA were randomly assigned 1:1 to ADA+MTX or placebo plus methotrexate (PBO+MTX) for 26 weeks. Treatment modifications were to be made in a subsequent study period based on the achievement of DAS28(CRP) <3.2 at weeks 22 and 26. Post-hoc analyses compared patients achieving stable remission using DAS28 and 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria with those achieving LDA but not remission. RESULTS: Among patients completing 6 months, 44% (207/466) ADA+MTX versus 24% (112/460) PBO+MTX patients achieved stable LDA at weeks 22 and 26 (p<0.001). Combination therapy was statistically superior to methotrexate in obtaining higher ACR20/50/70 responses, more clinical remissions, greater mean reductions in DAS28(CRP), no radiographic progression, and normal functional status at week 26 (p<0.001 for all). The only factor predicting stable LDA was disease activity at week 12. Patients achieving ACR/EULAR remission, particularly in the PBO+MTX group, had some advantage in radiographic outcomes compared with patients who only achieved LDA (but not remission). The overall frequency of adverse events was comparable between groups. There were more serious infections and deaths in the ADA+MTX group, with a possible age effect. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with ADA+MTX was significantly superior to methotrexate alone with respect to clinical, radiographic and functional outcomes in patients with early active RA. Before initiating treatment with adalimumab, individual patient evaluation of the benefit/risk ratio should be carefully considered.

Association of joint space narrowing with impairment of physical function and work ability in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis: protection beyond disease control by adalimumab plus methotrexate.

OBJECTIVES: Tumour necrosis factor inhibition plus methotrexate is believed to inhibit radiographic progression independent of inflammation. This analysis assessed whether these protective effects are exerted on bone (joint erosion; JE) and/or cartilage (joint space narrowing; JSN), and what the independent effects of JE/JSN progression are on longer-term patient-reported outcomes. METHODS: PREMIER was a 2-year, randomised, controlled trial of adalimumab plus methotrexate (ADA+MTX) versus the monotherapies. The impact of treatment on the relationships between time-averaged disease activity (TA-DAS28(CRP)) and changes in JE/JSN and associations of JE/JSN with the disability index of the health assessment questionnaire (HAQ-DI) at baseline and weeks 52 and 104 were assessed through non-parametric approaches of analysis of variance and quantile regression. JE/JSN association with employment status was evaluated at baseline and weeks 52 and 104 through logistic regression. RESULTS: Increasing tertiles of TA-DAS28(CRP) were associated with JE and JSN progression in the monotherapy groups, a phenomenon largely absent in ADA+MTX-treated patients. Although JSN was not associated with HAQ-DI at baseline, it was at 52 and 104 weeks. In contrast, JE was not associated with HAQ-DI at any time point examined. Odds of being employed at baseline, 52 weeks and 104 weeks were significantly associated with lower JSN, but not JE, scores. CONCLUSIONS: ADA+MTX inhibited both JE and JSN progression independently of disease activity. JSN played a more prominent role in patient-reported outcomes than JE. Preventing the onset or worsening of JSN probably represents a critical aspect of effective disease management of early rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Safety and effectiveness of adalimumab in a clinical setting that reflects Canadian standard of care for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA): results from the CanACT study.

BACKGROUND: This multicenter, open-label, prospective, single cohort study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of adalimumab in a clinical setting reflecting the Canadian standard of care for the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Patients ≥ 18 years of age with a history of active RA ≥ 3 months and fulfilling Canadian requirements for biological therapy received adalimumab 40 mg subcutaneously every other week for 12 weeks. Pre-study DMARD treatment regimens, corticosteroids, or NSAIDs were allowed throughout the study. The primary effectiveness outcome measure was the mean change in 28-joint disease activity score (DAS28) from baseline to Week 12. Secondary measures included the proportion of patients achieving joint remission (DAS28 < 2.6) and low-disease activity (DAS28 < 3.2) at Week 12, and European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR: moderate and good) and American College of Rheumatology (ACR: ACR20, 50, and 70) responses, as well as responses in ACR core components at Weeks 4, 8, and 12. Subgroup analysis included a comparison of patients naïve to biological DMARD (BDMARD) therapy versus BDMARD-experienced patients. Safety was assessed in terms of adverse and serious adverse events. RESULTS: A total of 879 patients (mean disease duration > 12 years) were enrolled; 772 (87.9%) completed the 12-week period. Adalimumab treatment was associated with rapid and sustained improvements in the signs and symptoms of RA. Significant improvements in mean DAS28 score were observed as early as Week 4. After 12 weeks of adalimumab treatment, 15.3% and 28.9% of patients achieved clinical remission and low-disease activity, respectively. Similarly, significant improvements in ACR core components were observed as early as Week 4, with continued improvements occurring through 12 weeks. Patients naïve to BDMARD therapy demonstrated numerically greater clinical responses when compared with patients who had experienced prior BDMARD therapy, although both subgroups were associated with significant improvements from baseline. The rates and types of adverse events, as well as the results of laboratory measures, demonstrated that adalimumab was generally safe and well-tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that, under conditions reflective of the normal clinical practice in Canada, adalimumab is an effective and safe treatment for patients with RA. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT00649545.

Efficacy and safety of adalimumab in Canadian patients with moderate to severe Crohn's disease: results of the Adalimumab in Canadian SubjeCts with ModErate to Severe Crohn's DiseaSe (ACCESS) trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate open-label adalimumab therapy for clinical effectiveness, fistula healing, patient-reported outcomes and safety in Canadian patients with moderate to severe Crohn's disease (CD) who were either naive to or previously exposed to antitumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy. METHODS: Patients with moderate to severe CD (CD activity index [CDAI] score of greater than 220, or Harvey-Bradshaw index [HBI] of 7 or greater) were eligible. Patients received open-label adalimumab as induction (160 mg and 80 mg subcutaneously [sc]) at weeks 0 and 2, respectively and maintenance (40 mg sc every other week) therapy. At or after eight weeks, patients with flare or nonresponse could have their dosage increased to 40 mg sc weekly. Patients were followed for a minimum of six months or until adalimumab was commercially available in Canada. RESULTS: Of the 304 patients enrolled, 160 were infliximab experienced, while 144 were anti-TNF naive. HBI remission (HBI score of 4 or lower) at week 24 was achieved by 53% of anti-TNF-naive and 36% of infliximab-experienced patients (P<0.01; P<0.001 for both groups for all visits versus baseline). Fistula healing rates at week 12 were 48% for anti-TNF-naive patients, and 26% for infliximab-experienced patients. At week 24, fistula healing rates were significantly greater for the anti-TNF-naive group (60% versus 28%; P<0.01). Improvements in quality of life and work productivity were sustained from week 4 to week 24 for all patients. Serious infections occurred in 2% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Adalimumab therapy induced and sustained steroidfree remission in both infliximab-experienced and anti-TNF-naive patients with moderate to severe CD. Clinically meaningful rates of fistula healing were also observed. Improvements in patient-reported outcomes were sustained throughout the 24-week study period.

Responses to adalimumab in patients with active psoriatic arthritis who have not adequately responded to prior therapy: effectiveness and safety results from an open-label study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of adalimumab in patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and an inadequate response to prior therapy. METHODS: Patients were treated with subcutaneous injections of adalimumab 40 mg every other week in addition to their standard antirheumatic therapies in a 12-week, open-label study. Effectiveness evaluations at Week 12 included American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) response rates, Psoriatic Arthritis Response Criteria (PsARC), active dactylitis, enthesitis, and target lesion assessment. Physical function was evaluated using the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI). RESULTS: A total of 127 patients were enrolled. At Week 12, patients achieved ACR20, ACR50, and ACR70 response rates of 78.0%, 55.9%, and 21.3%, respectively. PASI50 and PASI75 response rates were 64.7% and 47.1%. A PsARC response was experienced by 70.1% of patients. Between baseline and Week 12, clinically and statistically significant reductions occurred in the mean total plaque score of the target lesion as well as in the percentages of patients with active dactylitis and enthesitis. A mean improvement in HAQ-DI was also observed (-0.44; p < 0.001). Three serious adverse events were reported, but none was considered related to adalimumab therapy. CONCLUSION: Adalimumab-treated patients achieved significant improvements in both skin and joint manifestations of PsA, as well as in physical function. Adalimumab was well tolerated and had a safety profile similar to that observed in other clinical trials of adalimumab for the treatment of PsA. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00427362.

RCAS1 is associated with ductal breast cancer progression.

RCAS1/EBAG9 (receptor-binding cancer antigen expressed on SiSo cells/ estrogen receptor-binding fragment-associated gene 9), an estrogen-transcribed protein, has been shown to be expressed in a wide variety of cancers, including uterine, ovarian, and lung cancer cells. Soluble and membranous RCAS1 proteins may play a role in the immune escape of tumor cells by promoting T lymphocyte inhibition of growth and apoptosis. In the present report, the presence of RCAS1 was revealed in human ductal breast cancer biopsies by immunohistochemistry. Its cytoplasmic expression was exhibited in cancer cells obtained from tumor biopsies and in breast cancer cell lines. RCAS1 significantly correlated with tumor grade. In addition, RCAS1 was identified in MCF7 culture supernatants. Those observations suggest that RCAS1 is a new marker for breast cancer progression and a possible mechanism for breast cancer immune escape.