Phase 2b randomized trial of OX40 inhibitor telazorlimab for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.

Background: Telazorlimab is a humanized anti-OX40 monoclonal antibody being studied for treatment of T-cell-mediated diseases. Objective: This randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 2b dose-range finding study investigated efficacy, safety, pharmacokinetics, and immunogenicity of telazorlimab in subjects with atopic dermatitis. Methods: In this 2-part study (NCT03568162), adults (≥18 years) with moderate-to-severe disease were randomized to various regimens of subcutaneous telazorlimab or placebo for 16 weeks' blinded treatment, followed by 38 weeks' open-label treatment and 12 weeks' drug-free follow-up. Telazorlimab treatment groups (following a loading dose) in part 1 were 300 mg every 2 weeks; 300 mg every 4 weeks; or 75 mg every 4 weeks. Part 2 evaluated telazorlimab 600 mg every 2 weeks. The primary end point was percentage change from baseline in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) at week 16. Safety assessments included incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events. Results: The study randomized 313 subjects in part 1 and 149 in part 2. At 16 weeks, the least squares mean percentage change from baseline in EASI was significantly greater in subjects receiving telazorlimab 300 mg every 2 weeks (part 1) and 600 mg every 2 weeks (part 2) versus placebo (-54.4% vs -34.2% for part 1 and -59.0% vs -41.8% for part 2, P = .008 for both). Telazorlimab was well tolerated, with similar distribution of adverse events between telazorlimab- and placebo-treated subjects in both part 1 and part 2. Conclusion: Telazorlimab, administered subcutaneously at 300 mg every 2 weeks or 600 mg every 2 weeks following a loading dose, was well tolerated and induced significant and progressive clinical improvement in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.

Safety and efficacy of filgotinib, lanraplenib and tirabrutinib in Sjögren's syndrome: a randomized, phase 2, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to characterize the safety and efficacy of filgotinib, lanraplenib and tirabrutinib in patients with active SS. METHODS: This multicentre, double-blind study randomized patients with active primary or secondary SS [EULAR SS disease activity index (ESSDAI) ≥5) to receive filgotinib 200 mg (Janus kinase-1 inhibitor), lanraplenib 30 mg (spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitor), tirabrutinib 40 mg (Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor), or placebo. The composite primary end point was the week-12 proportion of patients fulfilling protocol-specified improvement criteria (based on CRP and SS-related symptoms). The EULAR SS patient-reported index (ESSPRI) and the ESSDAI change from baseline (CFB) were secondary end points. Exploratory end points included disease-related biomarkers. Treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) represented safety outcomes. RESULTS: The mean of the baseline ESSDAI was 10.1, and of ESSPRI was 6.2 in the 150 patients who were treated; 125 completed the 24-week placebo-controlled treatment period. At week 12, 43.3% of the filgotinib group achieved the primary end point (P = 0.17 vs placebo) vs 42.3% (P = 0.16), 34.7% (P = 0.33), and 26.7% of lanraplenib, tirabrutinib, and placebo groups, respectively. Neither secondary end point was met. Biomarker reductions included immunoglobulins classically associated with SS disease activity. Filgotinib ESSDAI CFB appeared more pronounced in subgroups with baseline ESSDAI ≥14 or without DMARDs/CSs. Most AEs were Grade 1 or 2. CONCLUSION: Three drugs with disparate mechanisms were tested, but no significant differences vs placebo in primary or secondary end points were observed. These results may be considered hypothesis-generating, given the drug tolerability, subgroup analysis, and biomarker findings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, https://clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03100942.

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of ISC 17536, an oral inhibitor of transient receptor potential ankyrin 1, in patients with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy: impact of preserved small nerve fiber function.

ABSTRACT: Patients with chronic pain syndromes, such as those with painful peripheral neuropathy due to diabetes mellitus, have limited treatment options and suffer ongoing attrition of their quality of life. Safer and more effective treatment options are needed. One therapeutic approach encompasses phenotypic characterization of the neuropathic pain subtype, combined with the selection of agents that act on relevant mechanisms. ISC 17536 is a novel, orally available inhibitor of the widely expressed pain receptor, transient receptor potential ankyrin 1, which mediates nociceptive signaling in peripheral small nerve fibers. In this randomized, placebo-controlled, proof-of-concept trial, we assessed the safety and efficacy of 28-day administration of ISC 17536 in 138 patients with chronic, painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy and used quantitative sensory testing to characterize the baseline phenotype of patients. The primary end point was the change from baseline to end of treatment in the mean 24-hour average pain intensity score based on an 11-point pain intensity numeric rating scale. The study did not meet the primary end point in the overall patient population. However, statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in pain were seen with ISC 17536 in an exploratory hypothesis-generating subpopulation of patients with preserved small nerve fiber function defined by quantitative sensory testing. These results may provide a mechanistic basis for targeted therapy in specific pain phenotypes in line with current approaches of "precision medicine" or personalized pain therapeutics. The hypothesis is planned to be tested in a larger phase 2 study.

Filgotinib in combination with methotrexate or as monotherapy versus methotrexate monotherapy in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis and limited or no prior exposure to methotrexate: the phase 3, randomised controlled FINCH 3 trial.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate efficacy and safety of the Janus kinase-1 inhibitor filgotinib in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with limited or no prior methotrexate (MTX) exposure. METHODS: This 52-week, phase 3, multicentre, double-blind clinical trial (NCT02886728) evaluated once-daily oral filgotinib in 1252 patients with RA randomised 2:1:1:2 to filgotinib 200 mg with MTX (FIL200 +MTX), filgotinib 100 mg with MTX (FIL100 +MTX), filgotinib 200 mg monotherapy (FIL200), or MTX. The primary endpoint was proportion achieving 20% improvement in American College of Rheumatology criteria (ACR20) at week 24. RESULTS: The primary endpoint was achieved by 81% of patients receiving FIL200+ MTX versus 71% receiving MTX (p<0.001). A significantly greater proportion treated with FIL100+ MTX compared with MTX achieved an ACR20 response (80%, p=0.017) at week 24. Significant improvement in Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index was seen at week 24; least-squares mean change from baseline was -1.0 and -0.94 with FIL200+MTX and FIL100+MTX, respectively, versus -0.81 with MTX (p<0.001, p=0.008, respectively). Significantly higher proportions receiving FIL200+MTX (54%) and FIL100+MTX (43%) achieved DAS28(CRP) <2.6 versus MTX (29%) (p<0.001 for both) at week 24. Hierarchical testing stopped for comparison of ACR20 for FIL200 monotherapy (78%) versus MTX (71%) at week 24 (p=0.058). Adverse event rates through week 52 were comparable between all treatments. CONCLUSIONS: FIL200+MTX and FIL100+MTX both significantly improved signs and symptoms and physical function in patients with active RA and limited or no prior MTX exposure; FIL200 monotherapy did not have a superior ACR20 response rate versus MTX. Filgotinib was well tolerated, with acceptable safety compared with MTX.

Filgotinib versus placebo or adalimumab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and inadequate response to methotrexate: a phase III randomised clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Janus kinase-1-preferential inhibitor filgotinib versus placebo or tumour necrosis factor-α inhibitor therapy in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) despite ongoing treatment with methotrexate (MTX). METHODS: This 52-week, multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled and active-controlled phase III trial evaluated once-daily oral filgotinib in patients with RA randomised 3:3:2:3 to filgotinib 200 mg (FIL200) or filgotinib 100 mg (FIL100), subcutaneous adalimumab 40 mg biweekly, or placebo (through week 24), all with stable weekly background MTX. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving 20% improvement in American College of Rheumatology criteria (ACR20) at week 12. Additional efficacy outcomes were assessed sequentially. Safety was assessed from adverse events and laboratory abnormalities. RESULTS: The proportion of patients (n=1755 randomised and treated) achieving ACR20 at week 12 was significantly higher for FIL200 (76.6%) and FIL100 (69.8%) versus placebo (49.9%; treatment difference (95% CI), 26.7% (20.6% to 32.8%) and 19.9% (13.6% to 26.2%), respectively; both p<0.001). Filgotinib was superior to placebo in key secondary endpoints assessing RA signs and symptoms, physical function and structural damage. FIL200 was non-inferior to adalimumab in terms of Disease Activity Score in 28 joints with C reactive protein ≤3.2 at week 12 (p<0.001); FIL100 did not achieve non-inferiority. Adverse events and laboratory abnormalities were comparable among active treatment arms. CONCLUSIONS: Filgotinib improved RA signs and symptoms, improved physical function, inhibited radiographic progression and was well tolerated in patients with RA with inadequate response to MTX. FIL200 was non-inferior to adalimumab. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02889796.

Effect of Filgotinib vs Placebo on Clinical Response in Patients With Moderate to Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis Refractory to Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drug Therapy: The FINCH 2 Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) despite treatment with biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (bDMARD) therapy need treatment options. Objective: To evaluate the effects of filgotinib vs placebo on the signs and symptoms of RA in a treatment-refractory population. Design, Setting, and Participants: A 24-week, randomized, placebo-controlled, multinational phase 3 trial conducted from July 2016 to June 2018 at 114 sites internationally, randomizing 449 adult patients (and treating 448) with moderately to severely active RA and inadequate response/intolerance to 1 or more prior bDMARDs. Interventions: Filgotinib, 200 mg (n = 148); filgotinib, 100 mg (n = 153); or placebo (n = 148) once daily; patients continued concomitant stable conventional synthetic DMARDs (csDMARDs). Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end point was the proportion of patients who achieved 20% improvement in the American College of Rheumatology criteria (ACR20) at week 12. Secondary outcomes included week 12 assessments of low disease activity (disease activity score in 28 joints-C-reactive protein [DAS28-CRP] ≤3.2) and change in Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index, 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey Physical Component, and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue scores, as well as week 24 assessment of remission (DAS28-CRP <2.6) and adverse events. Results: Among 448 patients who were treated (mean [SD] age, 56 [12] years; 360 women [80.4%]; mean [SD] DAS28-CRP score, 5.9 [0.96]; 105 [23.4%] with ≥3 prior bDMARDs), 381 (85%) completed the study. At week 12, more patients receiving filgotinib, 200 mg (66.0%) or 100 mg (57.5%), achieved ACR20 response (placebo, 31.1%; difference vs placebo: 34.9% [95% CI, 23.5%-46.3%] and 26.4% [95% CI, 15.0%-37.9%], respectively; both P < .001), including among patients with prior exposure to 3 or more bDMARDs (70.3%, 58.8%, and 17.6%, respectively; difference vs placebo: 52.6% [95% CI, 30.3%-75.0%] for filgotinib, 200 mg, and 41.2% [95% CI, 17.3%-65.0%] for filgotinib, 100 mg; both P < .001). The most common adverse events were nasopharyngitis (10.2%) for filgotinib, 200 mg; headache, nasopharyngitis, and upper respiratory infection (5.9% each) for filgotinib, 100 mg; and RA (6.1%) for placebo. Four uncomplicated herpes zoster cases and 1 retinal vein occlusion were reported with filgotinib; there were no opportunistic infections, active tuberculosis, malignancies, gastrointestinal perforations, or deaths. Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients with active RA who had an inadequate response or intolerance to 1 or more bDMARDs, filgotinib, 100 mg daily or 200 mg daily, compared with placebo resulted in a significantly greater proportion achieving a clinical response at week 12. However, further research is needed to assess longer-term efficacy and safety. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02873936.

Efficacy and safety of filgotinib, a selective Janus kinase 1 inhibitor, in patients with active psoriatic arthritis (EQUATOR): results from a randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial.

BACKGROUND: The Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) pathway has been implicated in the pathogenesis of psoriatic arthritis. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of filgotinib, a selective JAK1 inhibitor, for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis. METHODS: The EQUATOR trial was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial that enrolled adults from 25 sites in seven countries (Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Poland, Spain, and Ukraine). Patients (aged ≥18 years) had active moderate-to-severe psoriatic arthritis (defined as at least five swollen joints and at least five tender joints) fulfilling Classification for psoriatic arthritis (CASPAR) criteria, active or a documented history of plaque psoriasis, and an insufficient response or intolerance to at least one conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (csDMARD). Patients continued to take csDMARDs during the study if they had received this treatment for at least 12 weeks before screening and were on a stable dose for at least 4 weeks before baseline. Using an interactive web-based system, we randomly allocated patients (1:1) to filgotinib 200 mg or placebo orally once daily for 16 weeks (stratified by current use of csDMARDs and previous use of anti-tumour necrosis factor). Patients, study team, and sponsor were masked to treatment assignment. The primary endpoint was proportion of patients achieving 20% improvement in American College of Rheumatology response criteria (ACR20) at week 16 in the full analysis set (patients who received at least one dose of study drug), which was compared between groups with the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test and non-responder imputation method. This trial is registered with ClincalTrials.gov, number NCT03101670. FINDINGS: Between March 9, and Sept 27, 2017, 191 patients were screened and 131 were randomly allocated to treatment (65 to filgotinib and 66 to placebo). 60 (92%) patients in the filgotinib group and 64 (97%) patients in the placebo group completed the study; five patients (8%) in the filgotinib group and two patients (3%) in the placebo group discontinued treatment. 52 (80%) of 65 patients in the filgotinib group and 22 (33%) of 66 in the placebo group achieved ACR20 at week 16 (treatment difference 47% [95% CI 30·2-59·6], p<0·0001). 37 (57%) patients who received filgotinib and 39 (59%) patients who received placebo had at least one treatment-emergent adverse event. Six participants had an event that was grade 3 or worse. The most common events were nasopharyngitis and headache, occurring at similar proportions in each group. One serious treatment-emergent adverse event was reported in each group (pneumonia and hip fracture after a fall), one of which (pneumonia) was fatal in the filgotinib group. INTERPRETATION: Filgotinib is efficacious for the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis, and no new safety signals were identified. FUNDING: Galapagos and Gilead Sciences.

Efficacy and safety of filgotinib, a selective Janus kinase 1 inhibitor, in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis (TORTUGA): results from a randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial.

BACKGROUND: At present, biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are the only treatment recommended for patients with ankylosing spondylitis who have not responded to first-line treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The TORTUGA trial investigated the efficacy and safety of filgotinib, an oral selective Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) inhibitor, for the treatment of patients with active ankylosing spondylitis. METHODS: In this completed, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial, we enrolled adult patients from 30 sites in seven countries (Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Poland, Spain, and Ukraine). Eligible patients had active ankylosing spondylitis and an inadequate response or intolerance to two or more NSAIDs. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) with an interactive web-based response system to receive filgotinib 200 mg or placebo orally once daily for 12 weeks. Randomisation was stratified by current use of conventional synthetic DMARDs and previous receipt of anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy. The patients, study team, and study sponsor were masked to treatment assignment. The primary endpoint was the change from baseline in ankylosing spondylitis disease activity score (ASDAS) at week 12, which was assessed in the full analysis set (ie, all randomised patients who received at least one dose of study drug). Safety was assessed according to actual treatment received. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT03117270. FINDINGS: Between March 7, 2017, and July 2, 2018, 263 patients were screened and 116 randomly assigned to filgotinib (n=58) or placebo (n=58). 55 (95%) patients in the filgotinib group and 52 (90%) in the placebo group completed the study; three (5%) patients in the filgotinib group and six (10%) in the placebo group discontinued treatment. The mean ASDAS change from baseline to week 12 was -1·47 (SD 1·04) in the filgotinib group and -0·57 (0·82) in the placebo group, with a least squares mean difference between groups of -0·85 (95% CI -1·17 to -0·53; p<0·0001). Treatment-emergent adverse events were reported in 18 patients in each group, the most common being nasopharyngitis (in two patients in the filgotinib group and in four patients in the placebo group). Treatment-emergent adverse events led to permanent treatment discontinuation in two patients (a case of grade 3 pneumonia in the filgotinib group and of high creatine kinase in the placebo group). No deaths were reported during the study. INTERPRETATION: Filgotinib is efficacious and safe for the treatment of patients with active ankylosing spondylitis who have not responded to first-line pharmacological therapy with NSAIDs. Further investigation of filgotinib for ankylosing spondylitis is warranted. FUNDING: Galapagos and Gilead Sciences.

Sjögren's syndrome: managed care data from a large United States population highlight real-world health care burden and lack of treatment options.

OBJECTIVES: To better understand the real-world characteristics and costs of Sjögren's syndrome (SS). METHODS: Analysing the MarketScan Commercial Claims database from Jan. 1, 2006 to Dec. 31, 2011, we identified 10,414 patients ≥18 years old newly diagnosed with SS. Patient characteristics, drugs (commonly used for SS), resource utilisation, and medical costs were evaluated for 12 months pre- and post-diagnosis. RESULTS: Mean age was 55 years; 90% were female. At diagnosis, SS patients were most often seen by rheumatologists (39%) or internists (14.2%); the most common concurrent autoimmune conditions were rheumatoid arthritis (17.9%) and systemic lupus erythematosus (14.6%). Other common comorbidities were hypertension (37.6%), osteoarthritis (31.4%), and hyperlipidaemia/dyslipidaemia (30.3%). Post diagnosis of SS, claims for myocardial infarction and coronary artery bypass graft doubled. Medications of interest prescribed post-diagnosis were eye/mouth drugs (32.2%) and synthetic immunosuppressants (32.1%). Biologic drugs were prescribed to a minority (TNF inhibitors, ~5.0%; non-TNF inhibitors, 1%). Of note, prescriptions for all systemic immunotherapies (synthetic and biologic) were significantly lower in the subgroup without concurrent autoimmune disease, and 15.1% of the overall population had no SS-related prescriptions. Post diagnosis, total medical resource utilisation and total medical costs increased (1.2 and 1.4-fold, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective, real-world analysis, medical claims in the first year after SS diagnosis revealed that cardiovascular (CV) events increased and all-cause healthcare costs grew by 40%. Pharmacologic management consisted primarily of low potency immunomodulation and symptomatic treatments. Systemic disease-modifying therapies were used mostly in patients who had another concurrent autoimmune disease, suggesting a lack of treatment options for SS.

Satisfaction with control of systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis: physician and patient perspectives.

PURPOSE: Patient satisfaction with disease control of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an important component of medical management. This analysis evaluated patient and physician satisfaction with disease control of SLE, factors associated with satisfaction/dissatisfaction, and the degree of physician-patient concordance of these parameters. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data were extracted from the US Adelphi Real World Lupus Disease Specific Programme®, a cross-sectional survey of 50 rheumatologists, 25 nephrologists, and their patients with non-nephritis SLE (NNSLE) or lupus nephritis (LN). RESULTS: Physicians reported moderate or severe disease activity in 25.0% of patients with NNSLE and in 50.5% of patients with LN, and were satisfied with disease control in 78.6% (132/168) and 73.8% (152/206) of patients, respectively. For patients, 75.8% (75/99) with NNSLE were satisfied with their current treatment, compared with 65.5% (74/113) with LN. Physician-patient agreement (70.7%) on the level of satisfaction was "slight" (kappa =0.1445) for NNSLE; patients were more frequently dissatisfied than physicians with regard to joint tenderness, fatigue, anxiety, pain on movement, malar rash, and photosensitivity. Physician-patient agreement (71.4%) on the level of satisfaction was "fair" (kappa =0.3695) for LN; patients expressed greater dissatisfaction than physicians for headache, photosensitivity, and anxiety, whereas physicians were more dissatisfied with regard to joint swelling, kidney function, and blood pressure control. In general, patients with NNSLE or LN who were dissatisfied (or whose physicians were dissatisfied) were more likely to have joint swelling, joint stiffness, malar rash, hair loss, depression, and fatigue, have moderate or severe disease, or to be currently experiencing disease flare. CONCLUSION: These data highlight the patient and physician dissatisfaction with real-world disease control of SLE.

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.

Efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and safety of adalimumab in pediatric patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis in Japan.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and safety of adalimumab in patients with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in Japan. Patients aged 4 to 17 years were enrolled in a single-arm, open-label, multicentre study of adalimumab. Patients weighing <30 kg received 20 mg every other week (eow), and those ≥30 kg received 40 mg eow. Concomitant methotrexate (MTX) was allowed (≤10 mg/m(2) per week). The primary efficacy outcome was the percent of patients with American College of Rheumatology Pediatric 30 response (ACR Pedi 30) at week 16. JIA core variables, serum adalimumab concentrations, and anti-adalimumab antibodies (AAAs) were analysed. Patients were monitored for adverse events (AEs). Twenty-five patients (20 with concomitant MTX at baseline and 5 without) were enrolled: 24 patients completed 16 weeks of therapy and 22 patients completed 60 weeks. At week 16, 90 % of patients with MTX and 100 % without MTX achieved ACR Pedi 30; response rates were maintained through week 60 in 94 and 80 % of patients, respectively. Each JIA core variable improved over time. Six patients became AAA positive (two each at weeks 8, 16, and 60), some of which were transient. All six AAA-positive patients achieved ACR Pedi 30 at week 16, and four maintained that response at week 60. Six patients (all with MTX) experienced nine serious AEs (JIA, pyrexia, arthralgia, pneumonia, hepatitis B infection, pharyngitis, dehydration, pharyngeal pain, and pneumonia). In pediatric patients with polyarticular JIA in Japan, adalimumab was safe and effective for reducing disease activity for up to 60 weeks.

A multicenter, open-label, efficacy, pharmacokinetic, and safety study of adalimumab in Japanese patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

We evaluated the efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and safety of adalimumab in Japanese patients with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS) who had an inadequate response to, or who were intolerant of, treatment with ≥1 nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This phase 3, multicenter, open-label trial assessed the percentage of patients with a 20% response in the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international society working group criteria (ASAS20) at week 12 as the primary endpoint. Secondary outcome measures included assessments of disease activity, clinical response, functionality, and spinal mobility at weeks 12 and 60. Serum trough adalimumab concentrations were summarized using descriptive statistics. The adverse event profile was summarized for patients who received at least one dose of the study drug during the assessment period. At week 12, 73.2% (30/41) achieved an ASAS20 response and nearly 40% met ASAS partial remission criteria; proportions were maintained after up to 60 weeks of therapy. Mean adalimumab concentrations reached steady-state between weeks 12 and 20. Adalimumab was generally safe and well tolerated, with approximately 90% of adverse events considered to be mild. These results support the use of adalimumab as a safe and effective therapy for Japanese patients with active AS.