Background: Biologic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) are recommended for radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (r-axSpA), otherwise known as ankylosing spondylitis, when conventional therapies fail. We report efficacy and safety results of a Phase 3 study of ixekizumab, a high-affinity monoclonal antibody that selectively targets IL-17A, in bDMARDnaïve patients with r-axSpA. Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, Phase 3 study, adult patients with inadequate response/intolerance to NSAIDs, an established diagnosis of r-axSpA, and with radiographic sacroiliitis centrally defined by modified New York criteria and ≥1 spondyloarthritis feature according to Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS) criteria were recruited from 84 sites (12 countries) in Europe, Asia, and North America. Patients were randomized 1:1:1:1 using a computer-generated random sequence to 80 mg subcutaneous ixekizumab every two (Q2W) or four (Q4W) weeks, 40 mg adalimumab Q2W (active reference arm), or placebo. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving an ASAS40 response at Week 16. Findings: Between June 20, 2016 and August 22, 2017, 341 patients were randomized to placebo (N=87), adalimumab (N=90), ixekizumab Q2W (N=83), or ixekizumab Q4W (N=81). At Week 16, significantly more patients achieved ASAS40 with ixekizumab Q2W (n=43, 51•8%, p<0•0001), ixekizumab Q4W (n=39, 48•1%, p<0•0001), and adalimumab (n=32, 35•6%; p=0•0053) versus placebo (n=16, 18•4%). One serious infection occurred in each of the ixekizumab Q2W (1•2%), ixekizumab Q4W (1•2%), and adalimumab (1•1%) arms; none were reported with placebo. One (1•1%) Candida infection occurred in the adalimumab arm and one (1•2%) patient receiving ixekizumab Q2W was adjudicated as having probable Crohn's disease. No opportunistic infections, malignancies, or deaths occurred. Interpretation: Each dosing regimen of ixekizumab was superior to placebo for improving r-axSpA signs and symptoms in bDMARD-naïve patients; the safety profile was consistent with previous studies of ixekizumab. The adalimumab control arm performed as expected. Funding: Eli Lilly and Company Research in context Evidence before this study Pubmed was searched using the terms "ankylosing spondylitis", "axial spondyloarthritis", and "disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs", including articles through May 30, 2018. Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic immune-mediated disease characterized by inflammation of the spine and sacroiliac joint (SIJ), peripheral joint involvement, extra articular manifestations, and a strong genetic association with human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27. Radiographic axSpA (r-axSpA) was previously classified as ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in 1984 and updated to r-axSpA as part of the ASAS criteria. Both criteria sets require the same radiographically confirmed structural damage to the sacroiliac joint as well as at least one accompanying clinical element. Recommendations for the management of r-axSpA generally include exercise and physiothera...

Background To demonstrate equivalent efficacy of the proposed high-concentration (100 mg/ml), citrate-free adalimumab biosimilar CT-P17 to European Union-approved adalimumab (EU-adalimumab) in subjects with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods This randomized, double-blind phase III study (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03789292) randomized (1:1) subjects with active RA at 52 centers to receive CT-P17 or EU-adalimumab 40 mg subcutaneously every 2 weeks until week 52. Results to week 24 are reported here. The primary endpoint was 20% improvement by American College of Rheumatology criteria (ACR20) response rate at week 24. Equivalence was concluded if the corresponding confidence intervals (CIs) for the estimate of treatment difference were within predefined equivalence margins: − 15 to 15% (95% CI; European Medicines Agency assumption); − 12 to 15% (90% CI; Food and Drug Administration assumption). Additional efficacy, pharmacokinetic, usability, safety, and immunogenicity endpoints were evaluated. Results 648 subjects were randomized (324 CT-P17; 324 EU-adalimumab). The ACR20 response rate at week 24 was 82.7% (n = 268/324) in both groups (intention-to-treat population). The 95% CI (− 5.94 to 5.94) and 90% CI (− 4.98 to 4.98) were within predefined equivalence margins for both assumptions and equivalent efficacy was concluded. Additional endpoints and overall safety were comparable between groups. Mean trough serum concentrations of CT-P17 were slightly higher than those of EU-adalimumab. Immunogenicity was slightly lower numerically for the CT-P17 group than for the EU-adalimumab group. Conclusions CT-P17 and EU-adalimumab have equivalent efficacy and comparable safety and immunogenicity in subjects with active RA. Overall safety of CT-P17 is consistent with the known safety profile of reference adalimumab. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03789292. Registered 28 December 2018—retrospectively registered.

Objective To compare the safety and efficacy of switching from reference adalimumab to adalimumab biosimilar CT-P17 with continuing reference adalimumab/CT-P17 in active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods This double-blind, phase III study randomised (1:1) subjects with active RA to receive 40 mg (100 mg/ml) CT-P17 or European Union-sourced reference adalimumab subcutaneously every 2 weeks (Q2W) until week (W) 24 (treatment period [TP] 1). Thereafter, subjects receiving reference adalimumab were randomised (1:1) to continue reference adalimumab or switch to CT-P17 from W26 (both Q2W until W48; TP2). Subjects receiving CT-P17 in TP1 continued CT-P17. W0–W24 results were previously reported; we present W26–W52 findings. Endpoints were efficacy (including joint damage progression), pharmacokinetics, safety and immunogenicity. Results Of 607 subjects who initiated TP2 treatment, 303 continued CT-P17, 153 continued reference adalimumab and 151 switched to CT-P17. Efficacy improvements up to W24 were maintained during TP2; efficacy was comparable among groups. At W52, 20% improvement in American College of Rheumatology response rates were 80.5% (continued CT-P17), 77.8% (continued reference adalimumab) and 82.2% (switched to CT-P17). Joint damage progression was minimal. Mean trough serum adalimumab concentrations were similar among groups. CT-P17 and reference adalimumab safety profiles were numerically similar and switching did not affect immunogenicity. At W52, 28.4% (continued CT-P17), 27.0% (continued reference adalimumab) and 28.3% (switched to CT-P17) of subjects were anti-drug antibody-positive. Conclusion Efficacy, pharmacokinetics, safety and immunogenicity of CT-P17 and reference adalimumab were comparable after 1 year of treatment, including after switching from reference adalimumab to CT-P17.

Background: ABP 710 is being developed as a biosimilar to infliximab reference product (RP). Analytical similarity and pharmacokinetic equivalence between the two have been previously demonstrated. Here we report results from a comparative clinical study that evaluated the efficacy and safety of ABP 710 relative to the RP in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: In this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, 50-week equivalence study, patients with moderate to severe active RA despite methotrexate received 3-mg/kg infusions of ABP 710 or RP at predetermined intervals based on initial randomization and then with re-randomization at week 22. The primary endpoint was response difference (RD) of ACR20 at week 22, with clinical equivalence evaluated based on 90% CI of − 15%, 15%. Secondary endpoints included Disease Activity Score 28-joint count C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP), ACR20, ACR50, and ACR70 across time, as well as safety and immunogenicity assessments. Results: A total of 558 patients were randomized for the initial treatment (ABP 710 n = 279; RP n = 279). The estimated RD of ACR20 at week 22 was 9.37% with 90% CI (2.67%, 15.96%). The lower bound was within the pre-specified criteria, thus confirming non-inferiority; the upper bound exceeded the pre-specified criteria by 0.96% such that superiority could not be ruled out statistically. In a post hoc analysis with adjustment for random imbalance in baseline factors, the CI of RD was narrowed (0.75%, 13.62%). Changes from baseline in DAS28-CRP as well as ACR20, ACR50, and ACR70 response rates across time and hybrid ACR evaluations were similar for the initial and initial/re-randomized treatment groups. Adverse events and incidence of anti-drug antibodies were similar between treatment groups.Conclusions: These efficacy and safety results support similarity with no clinically meaningful differences between ABP 710 and infliximab RP. Although we were unable to statistically confirm non-superiority, post hoc analysis was supportive of non-superiority. DAS28-CRP, ACR20, ACR50, ACR70, and hybrid ACR evaluations over the entire study were consistently comparable as were safety and immunogenicity. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov. Identifier: NCT02937701. Registered August 30, 2016.

ObjectiveRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a condition that poses many diagnostic problems. As a result, it is often diagnosed too late, which makes effective treatment more difficult. The course of the disease is chronic, and it causes irreversible changes in the musculoskeletal system, as well as bone destruction, and this in turn impairs the proper monitoring of the treatment. Therefore, in order to assess the treatment’s efficacy, as well as a clinical examination of the patient and laboratory tests, diagnostic imaging is being used more frequently in routine practice. The aim of this paper is to assess the usefulness of power Doppler ultrasonography in the assessment of MCP joints in patients with chronic RA (LSRA), in comparison with DAS28, X-ray, and MRI.Material and methodsThe study involved 26 patients with LSRA, treated with biologics. It lasted for a year. At the moment of enrolment, the condition had lasted for a minimum of 5 years, and DAS28 was > 5.1. The patients had visits every three months. During every visit, a PDUS test was performed and the DAS28 was determined. In the first and last month of the study the patients underwent X-ray and MRI tests.ResultsAt the end of the study, the DAS28 of 26 (100%) patients was lower or equal to 3.2. Based on PDUS and MRI tests, no synovitis was found in 21 (81%) and 18 (69%) patients, respectively. According to the MRI results, radiological changes progressed in 5 (19%) of them. All patients who showed progress of radiological changes also had visible synovitis during their PDUS test.ConclusionsPDUS in patients with LSRA can be helpful in selecting patients, who are likely to develop a progression of radiological changes.