Tofacitinib Efficacy in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Probable Depression/Anxiety: Post Hoc Analysis of Phase 3 and 3b/4 Randomized Controlled Trials.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of our work is to assess the prevalence of probable major depressive disorder and/or probable generalized anxiety disorder (pMDD/pGAD) in patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to evaluate the efficacy of tofacitinib on RA symptoms stratified by baseline pMDD/pGAD status. METHODS: Data were pooled from five phase 3 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and one phase 3b/4 RCT, assessing tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg twice daily (BID), adalimumab (two RCTs), or placebo. pMDD/pGAD was defined as Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) Mental Component Summary (MCS) score ≤ 38. Efficacy outcomes over 12 months included least squares mean change from baseline in SF-36 MCS score and Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index, proportions of patients with pMDD/pGAD in those with baseline pMDD/pGAD, and American College of Rheumatology 20/50/70 response, and Disease Activity Score in 28 joints, erythrocyte sedimentation rate remission (< 2.6) rates. RESULTS: A total of 4404 patients with non-missing baseline values were included. Baseline pMDD/pGAD was reported by 44.5%, 39.8%, 45.4%, and 39.1% of patients receiving tofacitinib 5 mg BID, tofacitinib 10 mg BID, adalimumab, and placebo, respectively. SF-36 MCS improvements were greater for tofacitinib versus adalimumab/placebo through month 6, with numerical improvements for tofacitinib versus adalimumab sustained through month 12, when the proportions of patients with baseline pMDD/pGAD who continued to have pMDD/pGAD were reduced. RA efficacy outcomes were generally similar in patients with/without baseline pMDD/pGAD. CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of patients with pMDD/pGAD reduced from baseline over 1 year of treatment with tofacitinib or adalimumab. Effective treatment of underlying RA may lead to improvements in depression and anxiety, based on the SF-36 MCS. Specially designed studies using gold-standard diagnostic tools would be warranted to investigate this further. Video Abstract available for this article. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT00960440, NCT00847613, NCT00814307, NCT00856544, NCT00853385, NCT02187055. Video Abstract (MP4 204475 KB).

Tofacitinib is a medicine used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (swollen and painful joints). A total of 4400 patients with moderate or severe rheumatoid arthritis who were taking part in tofacitinib clinical trials completed a survey about their general health and well-being at that time. We used their answers to determine whether they were likely to have depression or anxiety. We then looked at how common depression or anxiety was in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and whether having depression or anxiety affected how patients responded to tofacitinib treatment. It is important to note that tofacitinib is not approved for the treatment of depression or anxiety, and these clinical trials were not designed to assess whether tofacitinib improved depression or anxiety symptoms. About 40% of patients likely had depression or anxiety when they started a clinical trial. This percentage decreased among patients who received tofacitinib treatment over a year. Patients treated with tofacitinib showed more improvement in their depression or anxiety than those treated with placebo. Over a year of treatment, tofacitinib improved signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, for example, the number of swollen or painful joints and fatigue. Having depression or anxiety did not change the way that patients responded to tofacitinib. This research shows how treating rheumatoid arthritis symptoms may also improve depression and anxiety symptoms. However, specially designed studies are needed to confirm this.

Joint-level responses to tofacitinib and methotrexate: a post hoc analysis of data from ORAL Start.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has a variable impact on different synovial joints, with inflammation being more commonly observed in some joints than others. Emerging evidence suggests that the anatomical variation in pathophysiology could result in differential responses to treatments across the joints, both within and between modes of action. This analysis aimed to characterize joint-specific responses to tofacitinib and methotrexate monotherapy in patients with RA. METHODS: This was a post hoc analysis of data from the phase III trial ORAL Start (NCT01039688), in methotrexate-naïve patients with RA. A paired joint pathology score (PJPS), derived from bilateral tender/swollen joint counts, was calculated. The percentage change from baseline in PJPS (%∆PJPS) and treatment-specific responses (tofacitinib 5 and 10 mg twice daily [BID] vs methotrexate; tofacitinib 5 vs 10 mg BID) for each patient joint pair, except for those with baseline/post-baseline PJPS = 0, were calculated at month 3, month 6, and month 12. Radiographic progression was similarly assessed using the Modified Total Sharp Score at month 6 and month 12. RESULTS: In methotrexate-naïve patients, differences in %∆PJPS demonstrated greater responses with tofacitinib vs methotrexate in most joint locations. Lesser responses with tofacitinib vs methotrexate were observed in most joints of the feet, particularly at month 12. Despite this, radiographic progression at month 12 was significantly worse in the foot (and metacarpophalangeal) joints of patients receiving methotrexate vs tofacitinib. CONCLUSION: We observed variation in joint-specific responses with tofacitinib and methotrexate monotherapy. Despite a proximal-distal efficacy gradient, with better clinical responses in the feet, patients receiving methotrexate monotherapy demonstrated more radiographic progression in the foot joints compared with those receiving tofacitinib. These findings suggest that body site- and therapy-specific characteristics may interact to produce differential treatment responses. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01039688.

Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue is a reliable and valid measure in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis.

BACKGROUND: The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F) scale has demonstrated good internal consistency and responsiveness to changes in clinical status among patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). We aimed to further evaluate the psychometric properties of the FACIT-F scale in adult patients with AS. METHODS: Measurement properties of the FACIT-F scale were evaluated using data from tofacitinib phase 2/3 (NCT01786668/NCT03502616) studies in adult patients with active AS. RESULTS: Second-order confirmatory factor modeling supported the measurement structure of the FACIT-F scale (Bentler's comparative fit index ≥ 0.91), and FACIT-F demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's coefficient α ≥ 0.88) and test-retest reliability (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient ≥ 0.75). Correlation coefficients between FACIT-F and other patient-reported outcomes generally exceeded 0.40, supporting convergent validity. Meaningful within-patient change was estimated as 3.1-6.3 for FACIT-F total score, and 1.4-2.8 and 1.7-3.6 for FACIT-F Experience and Impact domain scores, respectively. Large (effect size ≥ 1.17 standard deviation units), statistically significant differences in FACIT-F domain/total scores between 'no disease activity' (Patient Global Assessment of Disease Activity [PtGA] = 0) and 'very active disease' (PtGA = 10) patient groups supported known-groups validity. Ability to detect change was evidenced by an approximately linear relationship between changes in FACIT-F and PtGA scores. CONCLUSIONS: FACIT-F is a reliable and valid measure for evaluating fatigue in adult patients with active AS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT01786668 (registered 6 February 2013, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01786668 ) and NCT03502616 (registered 11 April 2018, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03502616 ).

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a disease that causes pain and stiffness in the spine. AS is a chronic disease. Most people with AS experience fatigue (a feeling of being very tired or exhausted). People with more severe AS tend to have more fatigue and a lower level of well-being. Because of this, fatigue is an important symptom to measure in studies of AS. The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F) is a questionnaire that measures fatigue. It has 13 questions that assess level of fatigue over a week's time. The FACIT-F has not been studied in depth in people with AS. Therefore, we analyzed results from two clinical trials. We found that FACIT-F was a reliable and valid way to measure fatigue in adults with AS. This makes it a suitable tool to use in AS clinical trials.

Effect of tofacitinib on pain, fatigue, health-related quality of life and work productivity in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis: results from a phase III, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) impacts quality of life. We assessed patient-reported outcomes (PROs), pain, fatigue, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and work productivity in a phase III trial of tofacitinib. METHODS: Adults with AS and with inadequate response/intolerance to ≥2 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs received tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily or placebo for 16 weeks. Afterwards, all received open-label tofacitinib until week 48. Change from baseline to week 48 was determined for PROs: total back pain; nocturnal spinal pain; Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) overall spinal pain (Q2); Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue; BASDAI fatigue (Q1); AS Quality of Life (ASQoL); Short Form-36 Health Survey Version 2 (SF-36v2); EuroQoL-Five Dimension-Three Level health profile and Visual Analogue Scale; and the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) questionnaire. Improvements from baseline ≥minimum clinically important difference, and scores ≥normative values at week 16 were evaluated. RESULTS: In 269 randomised and treated patients, at week 16, there were greater least squares mean improvements from baseline with tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily versus placebo in BASDAI overall spinal pain (-2.85 vs -1.34), BASDAI fatigue (-2.36 vs -1.08), ASQoL (-4.03 vs -2.01) and WPAI overall work impairment (-21.49 vs -7.64) (all p<0.001); improvements continued/increased to week 48. Improved spinal pain with tofacitinib was seen by week 2. Patients receiving tofacitinib reported clinically meaningful PRO improvements at week 16. Percentages with PRO scores ≥normative values at week 16 were greater with tofacitinib in SF-36v2 Physical Component Summary, physical functioning and bodily pain domains (p≤0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with AS, treatment with tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily resulted in clinically meaningful improvements in pain, fatigue, HRQoL and work productivity versus placebo to week 16, which were sustained to week 48. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03502616.

Effect of dose adjustments on the efficacy and safety of tofacitinib in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a post hoc analysis of an open-label, long-term extension study (ORAL Sequel).

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: We assess the impact of switching versus staying on the same tofacitinib dose on efficacy and safety in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: ORAL Sequel was an open-label, long-term extension study of patients with RA receiving tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg BID for up to 9.5 years. Tofacitinib doses could be switched during the study at investigator discretion. In this post hoc analysis, data from ORAL Sequel were stratified into four groups: 5 → 10 mg BID (Dose-up); 5 mg BID (Stay-on 5); 10 → 5 mg BID (Dose-down); and 10 mg BID (Stay-on 10). Efficacy assessments over 12 months included: change from baseline in 4-component Disease Activity Score in 28 joints, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28), and DAS28 minimum clinically important difference, remission, and low disease activity (LDA) rates. Safety was assessed for the study duration. RESULTS: Generally, DAS28 improvements and minimum clinically important difference rates were significantly greater (p < 0.05) in Dose-up versus Stay-on 5 up to month 12. DAS28 remission rates were significantly greater in Dose-up versus Stay-on 5 at month 12. Change from baseline in DAS28 was similar in Dose-down and Stay-on 10. No significant differences in DAS28 LDA rates were observed between groups. Safety data were similar overall across the four groups. CONCLUSION: In patients with RA receiving open-label tofacitinib, this analysis found that some benefited from increasing dose from 5 to 10 mg BID and did not find that reducing dose from 10 to 5 mg BID affected efficacy or that dose switching in either direction affected safety. STUDY REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT00413699. Registered December 20, 2006. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00413699 Key Points • This post hoc analysis of data from the long-term extension study, ORAL Sequel, assessed the impact of dose switching between tofacitinib 5 and 10 mg twice daily (BID), at the investigator's discretion, on efficacy and safety in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). • Dosing up from tofacitinib 5 to 10 mg BID was associated with improved efficacy up to 12 months versus staying on 5 mg BID, and dosing down from 10 to 5 mg BID was not generally associated with a significant loss of efficacy. • Safety outcomes were generally consistent across dose groups and did not change markedly after switching dose in either direction. • These findings can help to inform physicians on what may be expected in terms of efficacy and safety when adjusting tofacitinib dose according to clinical need. The recommended tofacitinib dosage for the treatment of RA in most jurisdictions is 5 mg BID.

The effect of tofacitinib on residual pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Post hoc analysis of pooled data from nine randomised controlled trials to assess the effect of tofacitinib (oral Janus kinase inhibitor for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA)) on residual pain in patients with RA or PsA with abrogated inflammation. METHODS: Patients who received ≥1 dose of tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily, adalimumab or placebo with/without background conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and had abrogated inflammation (swollen joint count (SJC)=0 and C reactive protein (CRP)<6 mg/L) after 3 months' therapy were included. Assessments included Patient's Assessment of Arthritis Pain at month 3 (Visual Analogue Scale [VAS] 0-100 mm). Scores were summarised descriptively; treatment comparisons assessed by Bayesian network meta-analyses (BNMA). RESULTS: From the total population with RA/PsA, 14.9% (382 of 2568), 17.1% (118 of 691) and 5.5% (50 of 909) of patients receiving tofacitinib, adalimumab and placebo, respectively, had abrogated inflammation after 3 months' therapy. Patients with RA/PsA with abrogated inflammation receiving tofacitinib/adalimumab had higher baseline CRP versus placebo; patients with RA receiving tofacitinib/adalimumab had lower SJC and longer disease duration versus placebo. Median residual pain (VAS) at month 3 was 17.0, 19.0 and 33.5 in patients with RA treated with tofacitinib, adalimumab or placebo, and 24.0, 21.0 and 27.0 in patients with PsA, respectively. Residual pain reductions with tofacitinib/adalimumab versus placebo were less prominent in patients with PsA versus patients with RA, with no significant differences between tofacitinib/adalimumab, per BNMA. CONCLUSION: Patients with RA/PsA with abrogated inflammation receiving tofacitinib/adalimumab had greater residual pain reduction versus placebo at month 3. Results were similar between tofacitinib and adalimumab. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov registry (NCT00960440; NCT00847613; NCT00814307; NCT00856544; NCT00853385; NCT01039688; NCT02187055; NCT01877668; NCT01882439).

Frequency and Duration of Early Non-serious Adverse Events in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Psoriatic Arthritis Treated with Tofacitinib.

INTRODUCTION: Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). This post hoc analysis assessed frequency or duration of early select non-serious adverse events (AEs; excluding infections), and their impact on treatment discontinuation, in patients with RA or PsA treated with tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg twice daily, or placebo. METHODS: Data were pooled from five phase 3 and one phase 3b/4 studies in patients with moderate-to-severe RA, and two phase 3 studies in patients with active PsA. Select all-causality, non-serious AEs, reported to month 3 (placebo-controlled period), were headache, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and gastric discomfort (including dyspepsia, gastritis, epigastric discomfort, and abdominal discomfort or pain); incidence rates (unique patients with events per 100 patient-years of follow-up), duration of, and discontinuations due to these non-serious AEs were reported. RESULTS: We analyzed 3871 and 710 patients with RA and PsA, respectively. Incidence of non-serious AEs to month 3 was generally similar with tofacitinib and placebo. The most frequent non-serious AEs were headache and diarrhea with tofacitinib, and dyspepsia, nausea, and headache with placebo. Most events were mild or moderate in severity, lasting ≤ 4 weeks. Permanent discontinuations due to non-serious AEs were not observed in patients with PsA, and were < 1.0% in patients with RA across treatment groups. The most frequent cause of temporary discontinuation across all groups was gastric discomfort (0.3-0.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Non-serious AE incidence was generally similar in patients with RA or PsA receiving tofacitinib or placebo. Most events were mild or moderate and generally resolved within 4 weeks. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers: NCT00960440; NCT00847613; NCT00814307; NCT00856544; NCT00853385; NCT01877668; NCT01882439; NCT02187055.

Tofacitinib is a medicine that can be taken by patients to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Serious side effects that might occur in patients taking tofacitinib are more frequently discussed than the mild, non-serious side effects that patients might consider to be more of a 'nuisance', which often occur shortly (< 3 months) after starting treatment. Here we looked at patients with RA or PsA who were taking tofacitinib or placebo (no medicine) during clinical trials, to find out how often they had certain non-serious side effects, how long they lasted, and whether they caused the patients to stop taking their medication. A similar number of patients with RA or PsA taking tofacitinib or placebo had non-serious side effects. The most common non-serious side effects in patients taking tofacitinib were a headache and diarrhea. The most common non-serious side effects in patients taking placebo (no medicine) were indigestion, a feeling of sickness, and/or headache. Most non-serious side effects were mild or moderate and stopped within about 4 weeks. Fewer than one in every 100 patients with RA, and no patients with PsA, stopped taking their medication because of non-serious side effects. Most patients who stopped taking their medication did so due to a feeling of gastrointestinal (stomach) discomfort.

Effects of Renal Impairment on the Pharmacokinetics of Abrocitinib and Its Metabolites.

Abrocitinib, an oral once-daily Janus kinase 1 selective inhibitor, is under development for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. This phase 1, nonrandomized, open-label, single-dose study (NCT03660241) investigated the effect of renal impairment on the pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of abrocitinib and its metabolites following a 200-mg oral dose. Twenty-three subjects with varying degrees of renal function (normal, moderate, and severe impairment) were enrolled. Active moiety exposures were calculated as the sum of unbound exposures for abrocitinib and its active metabolites. For abrocitinib, the adjusted geometric mean ratios (GMRs; %) for area under the concentration-time curve from time 0 extrapolated to infinite time and maximum plasma concentration were 182.91 (90% confidence interval [CI], 117.09-285.71) and 138.49 (90% CI, 93.74-204.61), respectively, for subjects with moderate renal impairment vs normal renal function; corresponding GMRs were 121.32 (90% CI, 68.32-215.41) and 99.11 (90% CI, 57.30-171.43) for subjects with severe impairment vs normal renal function. Metabolite exposures generally increased in subjects with renal impairment. The GMRs of unbound area under the concentration-time curve from time 0 extrapolated to infinite time and maximum plasma concentration of active moiety were 210.20 (90% CI, 154.60-285.80) and 133.87 (90% CI, 102.45-174.92), respectively, for subjects with moderate renal impairment vs normal renal function. Corresponding values were 290.68 (90% CI, 217.39-388.69) and 129.49 (90% CI, 92.86-180.57) for subjects with severe renal impairment vs normal renal function. Abrocitinib was generally safe and well tolerated. Both moderate and severe renal impairment led to higher exposure to abrocitinib active moiety, suggesting that abrocitinib dose should be reduced by half for patients with moderate or severe renal impairment. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03660241.

Tofacitinib for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis: a phase III, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy/safety of tofacitinib in adult patients with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS: This phase III, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study enrolled patients aged ≥18 years diagnosed with active AS, meeting the modified New York criteria, with centrally read radiographs, and an inadequate response or intolerance to ≥2 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Patients were randomised 1:1 to receive tofacitinib 5 mg two times per day or placebo for 16 weeks. After week 16, all patients received open-label tofacitinib until week 48. The primary and key secondary endpoints were Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society ≥20% improvement (ASAS20) and ≥40% improvement (ASAS40) responses, respectively, at week 16. Safety was assessed throughout. RESULTS: 269 patients were randomised and treated: tofacitinib, n=133; placebo, n=136. At week 16, the ASAS20 response rate was significantly (p<0.0001) greater with tofacitinib (56.4%, 75 of 133) versus placebo (29.4%, 40 of 136), and the ASAS40 response rate was significantly (p<0.0001) greater with tofacitinib (40.6%, 54 of 133) versus placebo (12.5%, 17 of 136). Up to week 16, with tofacitinib and placebo, respectively, 73 of 133 (54.9%) and 70 of 136 (51.5%) patients had adverse events; 2 of 133 (1.5%) and 1 of 136 (0.7%) had serious adverse events. Up to week 48, with tofacitinib, 3 of 133 (2.3%) patients had adjudicated hepatic events, 3 of 133 (2.3%) had non-serious herpes zoster, and 1 of 133 (0.8%) had a serious infection; with placebo→tofacitinib, 2 (1.5%) patients had non-serious herpes zoster. There were no deaths, malignancies, major adverse cardiovascular events, thromboembolic events or opportunistic infections. CONCLUSIONS: In adults with active AS, tofacitinib demonstrated significantly greater efficacy versus placebo. No new potential safety risks were identified. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03502616.

Effects of Hepatic Impairment on the Pharmacokinetics of Abrocitinib and Its Metabolites.

Abrocitinib, an oral once-daily Janus kinase 1 selective inhibitor, is under development for treatment of atopic dermatitis. This phase 1, nonrandomized, open-label, single-dose study (NCT03626415) investigated the effect of hepatic impairment on pharmacokinetics (PK), safety, and tolerability of abrocitinib and its metabolites after a 200-mg oral dose. Twenty-four subjects with varying degrees of hepatic function (normal, mild, and moderate impairment) were enrolled (N = 8/group). Active moiety PK parameters were calculated as the sum of unbound PK parameters for abrocitinib and its active metabolites. For abrocitinib, the ratios (percentages) of adjusted geometric means for area under the concentration-time curve from time 0 extrapolated to infinite time (AUCinf ) and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax ) were 133.33 (90% confidence interval [CI], 86.17-206.28) and 94.40 (90%CI, 62.96-141.55), respectively, for subjects with mild hepatic impairment vs normal hepatic function. The corresponding comparisons of ratios (percentages) for AUCinf and Cmax were 153.99 (90%CI, 99.52-238.25) and 105.53 (90%CI, 70.38-158.24), respectively, for subjects with moderate hepatic impairment. Exposures of the metabolites were generally lower in subjects with hepatic impairment. For abrocitinib active moiety, the ratios (percentages) of adjusted geometric means of unbound AUCinf were 95.74 (90%CI, 72.71-126.08) and 114.82 (90%CI, 87.19-151.20) in subjects with mild and moderate impairment vs normal hepatic function, respectively. Abrocitinib was generally safe and well tolerated. Hepatic impairment had no clinically relevant effect on the PK and safety of abrocitinib and the exposure of abrocitinib active moiety. These results support the use of abrocitinib without dose adjustment in subjects with mild or moderate hepatic impairment.

Assessment of radiographic progression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with tofacitinib in long-term studies.

OBJECTIVES: Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of RA. We evaluated radiographic progression in tofacitinib-treated patients with RA for up to 3 years in two pooled long-term extension (LTE) studies (ORAL Sequel; A3921041) (primary analysis), and for up to 5 years using data integrated from one phase (P)2 (A3921068), two P3 (ORAL Start; ORAL Scan) and two LTE studies (exploratory analysis). METHODS: In LTE studies, patients received tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily (BID) or 10 mg BID as monotherapy or with conventional synthetic (cs)DMARDs. Radiographic outcomes up to 3 years: least squares mean (LSM) change from baseline in van der Heijde modified Total Sharp Score (ΔmTSS), erosion score (ΔES) and joint space narrowing (ΔJSN) score; proportion of patients with no radiographic progression (ΔmTSS ≤0.5); proportion of patients with no new erosions (ΔES ≤0.5). ΔmTSS was evaluated for up to 5 years in an exploratory analysis. RESULTS: For all tofacitinib-treated patients with radiographic data available at LTE month 36 (n = 414), LSM ΔmTSS was 1.14, LSM ΔES was 0.66, LSM ΔJSN was 0.74, and 74.3% and 86.2% of patients showed no radiographic progression and no new erosions, respectively. Similar values were observed regardless of tofacitinib dose, or whether patients received tofacitinib as monotherapy or with csDMARDs. In an exploratory analysis of integrated P2/P3/LTE studies, LSM ΔmTSS was 3.34 at month 60 (n = 269). CONCLUSION: Limited progression of structural damage was observed in tofacitinib-treated patients up to 5 years, with similar results for tofacitinib used as monotherapy or combination therapy up to 3 years. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (http://clinicaltrials.gov): NCT01164579; NCT01039688; NCT00847613; NCT00413699; NCT00661661.

Characterization of Creatine Kinase Levels in Tofacitinib-Treated Patients with Ulcerative Colitis: Results from Clinical Trials.

BACKGROUND: Tofacitinib is an oral, small-molecule JAK inhibitor for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). Creatine kinase (CK) levels and CK-related adverse events (AEs) in tofacitinib-treated patients with UC were evaluated. METHODS: Data were analyzed for three UC cohorts: Induction (phase 2 and 3 induction studies); Maintenance (phase 3 maintenance study); Overall [patients who received tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg twice daily (b.d.) in phase 2, phase 3, or open-label, long-term extension studies; data at November 2017]. Clinical trial data for tofacitinib-treated patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis are presented for contextualization. RESULTS: Week 8 mean change from baseline CK with tofacitinib 10 mg b.d. induction therapy was 91.1 U/L (95% CI, 48.1-134.1) versus 19.2 U/L (8.5-29.9) with placebo. Among patients completing induction with 10 mg b.d. and re-randomized to 52 weeks of maintenance therapy, mean increases from induction baseline to the end of maintenance were 35.9 (8.1-63.7), 90.3 (51.9-128.7), and 115.6 U/L (91.6-139.7), with placebo, 5 and 10 mg b.d., respectively. The incidence rate (unique patients with events per 100 patient-years) for AEs of CK elevation in the tofacitinib-treated UC Overall cohort was 6.6 versus 2.2, 6.5, and 3.7 for tofacitinib-treated patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis, respectively. No serious AEs of CK elevation or AEs of myopathy occurred in UC studies. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with UC, CK elevations with tofacitinib appeared reversible and not associated with clinically significant AEs. UC findings were consistent with tofacitinib use in other inflammatory diseases. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT00787202; NCT01465763; NCT01458951; NCT01458574; NCT01470612; NCT01262118; NCT01484561; NCT00147498; NCT00413660; NCT00550446; NCT00603512; NCT00687193; NCT01059864; NCT01164579; NCT00976599; NCT01359150; NCT02147587; NCT00960440; NCT00847613; NCT00814307; NCT00856544; NCT00853385; NCT01039688; NCT02187055; NCT00413699; NCT00661661; NCT01710046; NCT00678210; NCT01276639; NCT01309737; NCT01241591; NCT01186744; NCT01163253; NCT01877668; NCT01882439; NCT01976364.

Incidence Rates of Interstitial Lung Disease Events in Tofacitinib-Treated Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: Post Hoc Analysis From 21 Clinical Trials.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is an extra-articular manifestation of RA. We investigated incidence rates of ILD in patients with RA, receiving tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg twice daily, and identified potential risk factors for ILD. METHODS: This post hoc analysis comprised a pooled analysis of patients receiving tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg twice daily or placebo from 2 phase (P)1, 10 P2, 6 P3, 1 P3b/4, and 2 long-term extension studies. Interstitial lung disease events were adjudicated as "probable" (supportive clinical evidence) or "possible" (no supportive clinical evidence) compatible adverse events. Incidence rates (patients with events per 100 patient-years) were calculated for ILD events. RESULTS: Of 7061 patients (patient-years of exposure = 23,393.7), 42 (0.6%) had an ILD event; median time to ILD event was 1144 days. Incidence rates for ILD with both tofacitinib doses were 0.18 per 100 patient-years. Incidence rates generally remained stable over time. There were 17 of 42 serious adverse events (40.5%) of ILD; for all ILD events (serious and nonserious), 35 of 42 events (83.3%) were mild to moderate in severity. A multivariable Cox regression analysis identified age 65 years or older (hazard ratio 2.43 [95% confidence interval, 1.13-5.21]), current smokers (2.89 [1.33-6.26]), and Disease Activity Score in 28 joints-erythrocyte sedimentation rate score (1.30 [1.04-1.61]) as significant risk factors for ILD events. CONCLUSIONS: Across P1/2/3/4/long-term extension studies, incidence rates for ILD events were 0.18 following tofacitinib treatment, and ILD events were associated with known risk factors for ILD in RA.

Long-term safety of tofacitinib up to 9.5 years: a comprehensive integrated analysis of the rheumatoid arthritis clinical development programme.

OBJECTIVE: Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We report the largest integrated safety analysis of tofacitinib, as of March 2017, using data from phase I, II, III, IIIb/IV and long-term extension studies in adult patients with RA. METHODS: Data were pooled for patients with RA who received ≥1 tofacitinib dose. Incidence rates (IRs; patients with events/100 patient-years [PY]; 95% CIs) of first-time occurrences were obtained for adverse events (AEs) of interest. RESULTS: 7061 patients received tofacitinib (total exposure: 22 875 PY; median [range] exposure: 3.1 [0 to 9.6] years). IRs (95% CI) for serious AEs, serious infections, herpes zoster (all), opportunistic infections (excluding tuberculosis [TB]) and TB were 9.0 (8.6 to 9.4), 2.5 (2.3 to 2.7), 3.6 (3.4 to 3.9), 0.4 (0.3 to 0.5) and 0.2 (0.1 to 0.2), respectively. IRs (95% CI) for malignancies (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer [NMSC]), NMSC and lymphomas were 0.8 (0.7 to 0.9), 0.6 (0.5 to 0.7) and 0.1 (0.0 to 0.1), respectively. IRs (95% CI) for gastrointestinal perforations, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, venous thromboembolism, arterial thromboembolism and major adverse cardiovascular events were 0.1 (0.1 to 0.2), 0.2 (0.1 to 0.2), 0.1 (0.1 to 0.2), 0.3 (0.2 to 0.3), 0.4 (0.3 to 0.5) and 0.4 (0.3 to 0.5), respectively. IR (95% CI) for mortality was 0.3 (0.2 to 0.3). IRs generally remained consistent across 6-month intervals to >78 months. CONCLUSION: This represents the largest clinical dataset for a JAK inhibitor in RA to date. IRs remained consistent with previous reports from the tofacitinib RA clinical development programme, and stable over time. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS: NCT01262118; NCT01484561; NCT00147498; NCT00413660; NCT00550446; NCT00603512; NCT00687193; NCT01164579; NCT00976599; NCT01059864; NCT01359150; NCT02147587; NCT00960440; NCT00847613; NCT00814307; NCT00856544; NCT00853385; NCT01039688; NCT02187055; NCT00413699; NCT00661661.For summary of phase I, phase II, phase III, phase IIIb/IV and LTE studies included in the integrated safety analysis, see online supplemental table 1.

Re-establishment of efficacy of tofacitinib, an oral JAK inhibitor, after temporary discontinuation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVE: Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This post-hoc analysis evaluated the effect of temporary discontinuation and reinitiation of tofacitinib on disease control in patients with RA in the vaccine sub-study of the long-term extension (LTE) study ORAL Sequel (NCT00413699). METHODS: The sub-study of ORAL Sequel was a randomized, parallel-group, open-label study. Patients who received tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily for ≥ 3 months in ORAL Sequel were randomized to receive continuous (tofacitinib monotherapy/with methotrexate) or interrupted (tofacitinib withdrawn for 2 weeks post-randomization then reinitiated as monotherapy/with methotrexate) treatment. Efficacy assessments included ACR20/50/70 response rates, change from baseline (∆) in C-reactive protein (CRP), Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI), Disease Activity Score in 28 joints, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-4 [ESR]), Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI), Patient Global Assessment of arthritis (PtGA), Pain (Visual Analog Scale [VAS]), and Physician Global Assessment of arthritis (PGA). Safety was assessed throughout. RESULTS: The sub-study included 99 patients each in the continuous and interrupted treatment groups. ACR20/50 response rates, ∆CRP, ∆HAQ-DI (day 15), ∆DAS28-4 (ESR), ∆CDAI, ∆PtGA, ∆Pain (VAS), and ∆PGA were significantly worse in interrupted vs continuous patients during dose interruption, but were generally similar to pre-interruption/continuous treatment levels 28 days post-reinitiation. A numerically higher proportion of interrupted patients reported adverse events (49.5%) vs continuous patients (35.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Tofacitinib efficacy can be re-established after temporary withdrawal and reinitiation. The safety profile of patients who temporarily discontinued tofacitinib in the sub-study was consistent with previous tofacitinib LTE studies over 9 years. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT00413699 Key Points • In this sub-study of the long-term extension (LTE) study, ORAL Sequel, the efficacy of tofacitinib was re-established after temporary withdrawal (2 weeks) and reinitation of treatment in patients with RA. • Patients with RA who temporarily discontinued tofacitinib had similar safety events to those reported in previous LTE studies. • The results of this sub-study were consistent with a post-hoc analysis of pooled data from two LTE studies, ORAL Sequel and A3921041, which assessed the efficacy of tofacitinib following a treatment discontinuation period of 14-30 days.

Persistence of Tofacitinib in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Open-Label, Long-Term Extension Studies up to 9.5 Years.

OBJECTIVE: Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This post hoc analysis evaluated tofacitinib persistence in patients with RA in long-term extension (LTE) studies up to 9.5 years. METHODS: Data were pooled from two LTE studies: ORAL Sequel (NCT00413699) and Study A3921041 (NCT00661661). Patients received tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg twice daily (BID), as monotherapy or with background conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Kaplan-Meier estimates for tofacitinib drug survival and reasons for discontinuation were evaluated. Baseline factors were analyzed as predictors of persistence. RESULTS: In 4967 tofacitinib-treated patients entering LTE studies, mean (maximum) treatment duration was 3.5 (9.4) years. Median drug survival (95% confidence interval) was 4.9 (4.7, 5.1) years. Estimated 2- and 5-year drug survival rates were 75.5% and 49.4%, respectively. Median drug survival was similar between the tofacitinib 5 and 10 mg BID groups, and slightly higher for patients receiving tofacitinib monotherapy versus combination therapy. Overall, 50.7% of patients discontinued tofacitinib; of these, 47.2% were due to adverse events and 7.1% for lack/loss of efficacy. An increased risk of discontinuation was associated with baseline diabetes, hypertension, negative anticyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP), negative rheumatoid factor (RF), and inadequate response to tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi-IR). CONCLUSION: Median drug survival of tofacitinib-treated patients participating in LTE studies was approximately 5 years and was similar for tofacitinib dosed at 5 and 10 mg BID. Reduced drug survival was associated with negative anti-CCP/RF status, TNFi-IR, and certain comorbidities. These data support tofacitinib use for long-term management of RA.

Safety and efficacy of tofacitinib for up to 9.5 years in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: final results of a global, open-label, long-term extension study.

BACKGROUND: Final data are presented for the ORAL Sequel long-term extension (LTE) study evaluating the safety and efficacy of tofacitinib 5 mg and 10 mg twice daily (BID) for up to 9.5 years in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Eligible patients had previously completed a phase 1, 2, or 3 qualifying index study of tofacitinib and received open-label tofacitinib 5 mg or 10 mg BID. Stable background therapy, including csDMARDs, was continued; adjustments to tofacitinib or background therapy were permitted at investigators' discretion. Assignment to dose groups (5 mg or 10 mg BID) was based on patients' average total daily dose. The primary objective was to determine the long-term safety and tolerability of tofacitinib 5 mg and 10 mg BID; the key secondary objective was to evaluate the long-term persistence of efficacy. RESULTS: Between February 5, 2007, and November 30, 2016, 4481 patients were enrolled. Total tofacitinib exposure was 16,291 patient-years. Safety data are reported up to month 114 for all tofacitinib; efficacy data are reported up to month 96 for tofacitinib 5 mg BID and month 72 for 10 mg BID (with low patient numbers limiting interpretation beyond these time points). Overall, 52% of patients discontinued (24% due to adverse events [AEs] and 4% due to insufficient clinical response); the safety profile remained consistent with that observed in prior phase 1, 2, 3, or LTE studies. The incidence rate (IR; number of patients with events per 100 patient-years) for AEs leading to discontinuation was 6.8. For all-cause AEs of special interest, IRs were 3.4 for herpes zoster, 2.4 for serious infections, 0.8 for malignancies excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, 0.4 for major adverse cardiovascular events, and 0.3 for all-cause mortality. Clinically meaningful improvements in the signs and symptoms of RA and physical functioning, which were observed in the index studies, were maintained. CONCLUSIONS: Tofacitinib 5 mg and 10 mg BID demonstrated a consistent safety profile (as monotherapy or combination therapy) and sustained efficacy in this open-label LTE study of patients with RA. Safety data are reported up to 9.5 years, and efficacy data up to 8 years, based on adequate patient numbers to support conclusions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT00413699 , funded by Pfizer Inc (date of trial registration: December 20, 2006).

Efficacy and safety of tofacitinib for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in patients from the Asia-Pacific region: Post-hoc analyses of pooled clinical study data.

AIM: We report tofacitinib efficacy and safety in Asia-Pacific patients who participated in the rheumatoid arthritis (RA) clinical development program. METHOD: This post-hoc analysis included pooled data from patients with RA in the Asia-Pacific region treated with tofacitinib with/without conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in Phase (P)1, 2, 3, and long-term extension (LTE) studies (one LTE ongoing; January 2016 data-cut). Efficacy was assessed over 24 months in patients who received tofacitinib 5 (N = 397) or 10 (N = 382) mg twice daily or placebo (N = 243) in three P2 and five P3 studies. Endpoints included American College of Rheumatology (ACR)20/50/70 responses, Disease Activity Score in 28 joints, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-4[ESR]) and Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) remission rates, and change from baseline in Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (∆HAQ-DI). Safety data pooled over 92 months from one P1, four P2, six P3, and two LTE studies for all tofacitinib doses (N = 1464) included incidence rates (IRs) (patients with events/100 patient-years) for adverse events (AEs) of special interest. RESULTS: At month 3, patients receiving tofacitinib 5/10 mg twice daily improved vs placebo in ACR20 (69.2%/77.9% vs 27.5%), ACR50 (36.9%/44.4% vs 9.5%), and ACR70 (15.1%/22.4% vs 2.7%) responses, remission rates for DAS28-4(ESR) (8.5%/18.5% vs 2.6%) and CDAI (6.1%/12.3% vs 0.5%), and ∆HAQ-DI (-0.5/-0.6 vs -0.1); improvements were sustained through 24 months. IRs (95% CI) were 9.4 (8.5, 10.3) for serious AEs, 9.1 (8.3, 10.1) for discontinuations due to AEs, 3.7 (3.2, 4.3) for serious infections, 5.9 (5.2, 6.7) for herpes zoster, and 0.8 (0.6, 1.1) for malignancies (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer). CONCLUSION: In Asia-Pacific patients, tofacitinib improved signs/symptoms over 24 months. Safety over 92 months was generally consistent with global tofacitinib studies; however, infection IRs were higher in Asia-Pacific patients.