Two Randomized Trials of Canakinumab in Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Abstract

These two phase 3 studies show the efficacy of canakinumab in systemic JIA with active systemic features. (Funded by Novartis Pharma; ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT00889863 and NCT00886769.).

Cytokine profile in adult-onset Still's disease: Comparison with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis

“…Biological agents that inhibit innate inflammatory cytokines (specifically, IL-1 and IL-6) have induced a paradigm shift in s-JIA treatment [14,15,51]. The inhibition of IL-1 or IL-6 is highly efficacious in many patients with s-JIA, yielding improvements in both systemic symptoms and arthritis [52,53].…”

“…Furthermore, biological therapies intended to block these cytokines yield dramatic effects in patients with s-JIA and AOSD [14,15]. These findings suggest that inflammatory cytokines play major roles in the pathogenesis of both diseases.…”

Advances in the pathogenesis and treatment of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis

“…Infections were more common among subjects receiving canakinumab. Additionally, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were noted; however, in most cases, this occurrence was transient and resolved without intervention (56).…”

Sarcoidosis: treatments beyond prednisone and methotrexate

“…Canakinumab (ACZ855) is a recombinant human monoclonal interleukin-1β antibody, approved to treat cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS). It has also shown to be efficacious in the treatment of other inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis [36,37]. A current phase 2 placebo-controlled trial will evaluate its efficacy and safety in pulmonary sarcoidosis (NCT02888080), and is likely to provide more evidence regarding whether innate immune responses are an important target for sarcoidosis therapy.…”