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ID PMID Title PublicationDate abstract
26353833 Certolizumab pegol plus methotrexate 5-year results from the rheumatoid arthritis preventi 2015 Sep 10 INTRODUCTION: As patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receive treatment with anti-tumour necrosis factors over several years, it is important to evaluate their long-term safety and efficacy. The objective of this study was to examine the safety and benefits of certolizumab pegol (CZP)+methotrexate (MTX) treatment for almost 5 years in patients with RA. METHODS: Patients who completed the 24-week Rheumatoid Arthritis Prevention of Structural Damage (RAPID) 2 randomized controlled trial (RCT; NCT00160602), or who were American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20 non-responders at Week 16, entered the open-label extension (OLE; NCT00160641). After ≥6 months treatment with CZP 400 mg every two weeks (Q2W), dose was reduced to 200 mg Q2W, the approved maintenance dose. Safety data are presented from all patients who received ≥1 dose CZP (Safety population, n=612). Efficacy data are presented to Week 232 for the intent-to-treat (ITT, n=492) and Week 24 CZP RCT Completer (n=342) populations, and through 192 weeks of dose-reduction for the Dose-reduction population (patients whose CZP dose was reduced to 200 mg, n=369). Radiographic progression (modified total Sharp score change from RCT baseline >0.5) to Week 128 is reported for the Week 24 CZP Completers. RESULTS: In the RCT, 619 patients were randomized to CZP+MTX (n=492) or placebo+MTX (n=127). Overall, 567 patients (91.6%) entered the OLE: 447 CZP and 120 placebo patients. Of all randomized patients, 358 (57.8%) were ongoing at Week 232. Annual drop-out rates during the first four years ranged from 8.4-15.0%. Event rates per 100 patient-years were 163.0 for adverse events (AEs) and 15.7 for serious AEs. Nineteen patients (3.1%) had fatal AEs (incidence rate=0.8). Clinical improvements in the RCT were maintained to Week 232 in the CZP Completers: mean Disease Activity Score 28 (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate) change from baseline was -3.4 and ACR20/50/70 responses 68.4%/47.1%/25.1% (non-responder imputation). Similar improvements observed in the ITT were maintained following dose-reduction. 73.2% of CZP Completers had no radiographic progression at Week 128. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with active RA despite MTX therapy, CZP was well tolerated, with no new safety signals identified. CZP provided sustained improvements in clinical outcomes for almost 5 years. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00160602 and NCT00160641 . Registered 8 September 2005.
27579831 An Economic Evaluation of Tofacitinib Treatment in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Modeling the Cost 2016 Sep BACKGROUND: Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Tofacitinib is approved in the United States for use in adults with moderately to severely active RA and an inadequate response or intolerance to methotrexate. OBJECTIVES: To (a) evaluate, using an economic model, the treatment costs of an RA strategy including tofacitinib, compared with adalimumab, etanercept, certolizumab and tocilizumab biologic RA treatment strategies, which are commonly prescribed in the United States, and (b) assess the economic impact of monotherapy and combination therapy in patients who had an inadequate response to methotrexate therapy (MTX-IR analysis) and to combination therapy in patients who had an inadequate response to a tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNF-IR analysis). METHODS: A transparent, Excel-based economic model with a decision-tree approach was developed to evaluate costs over a 1- and 2-year time horizon. The model compared tofacitinib 5 mg twice a day (BID) either as monotherapy or in combination with MTX with similarly labeled biologic therapies. Response to treatment was modeled as American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20/50/70 response. ACR20 represented clinical response and determined whether patients continued therapy. ACR response rates at 6-month intervals were sourced from prescribing information and safety event rates from a published meta-analysis. Following an adverse event or a lack of response to treatment, it was assumed that 75% of patients switched to the next line of treatment (first to abatacept and then to rituximab). The perspective was that of a U.S. payer. Costs were reported in 2015 U.S. dollars and included drug wholesale acquisition costs, monitoring, drug administration, and treatment for minor and serious adverse events. The patient population eligible for treatment was based on the total number of members (i.e., RA and non-RA) in a payer organization; members with RA treated with biologic therapies were estimated using epidemiological data. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to explore the impact of varying key parameters, including treatment-switching probability, product rebate, major rates of adverse drug reaction, and ACR20 rates, on the model outcomes. RESULTS: Tofacitinib combination therapy after MTX failure was associated with the lowest cost per member per month (PMPM) over a 2-year time frame at $5.53, compared with $6.49 for adalimumab, $6.43 for etanercept, $5.95 for certolizumab, and $5.89 for tocilizumab. Similar savings were observed when all biologics were administered as monotherapy. Tofacitinib combination therapy was also associated with the lower PMPM cost compared with adalimumab combination therapy in the TNF-IR analysis. Tofacitinib was also among the lowest cost per ACR20 responder in each analysis. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated that tofacitinib would potentially be cost saving even in the least optimistic scenarios. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis suggests that tofacitinib 5 mg BID following MTX failure is a lower cost per patient treatment option when used either as monotherapy or combination therapy, compared with adalimumab, etanercept, certolizumab and tocilizumab biologic regimens. Tofacitinib + MTX in TNF-IR patients was also predicted to be a lower-cost treatment option compared with adalimumab+MTX and was associated with the lowest cost per ACR 20/50/70 responder. DISCLOSURES: This study was funded by Pfizer, which determined the research topic and paid York Health Economics Consortium to develop the analysis and conduct the research. York Health Economics Consortium has received consultancy fees from Pfizer. Gerber, Wallenstein, Mendelsohn, Bourret, Singh, and Moynagh are employees and shareholders of Pfizer. Editorial support was funded by Pfizer and was provided by Claxton, Jenks, and Taylor, who are employees of York Health Economics Consortium. Study concept and design were contributed primarily by Taylor, Jenks, Gerber, and Singh, along with the other authors. Gerber, Moynagh, and Singh collected the data, assisted by Bouret and Mendelsohn; data interpretation was performed by Claxton, Gerber, Bouret, and Mendelsohn. The manuscript was written primarily by Claxton, with assistance from the other authors, and revised by Claxton, Gerber, Bouret, and Mendelsohn, with assistance from the other authors.
26090479 Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibodies and Severity of Interstitial Lung Disease in 2015 OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether serum titers of second-generation anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (anti-CCP2) are associated with the severity and extent of interstitial lung disease in rheumatoid arthritis (RA-ILD). METHODS: In across-sectional study, 39 RA-ILD patients confirmed by high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) were compared with 42 RA without lung involvement (RA only). Characteristics related to RA-ILD were assessed in all of the patients and serum anti-CCP2 titers quantified. RESULTS: Higher anti-CCP2 titers were found in RA-ILD compared with RA only (medians 77.9 versus 30.2 U/mL, P < 0.001). In the logistic regression analysis after adjustment for age, disease duration (DD), smoke exposure, disease activity, functioning, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and methotrexate (MTX) treatment duration, the characteristics associated with RA-ILD were higher anti-CCP2 titers (P = 0.003) and + RF (P = 0.002). In multivariate linear regression, the variables associated with severity of ground-glass score were anti-CCP2 titers (P = 0.02) and with fibrosis score DD (P = 0.01), anti-CCP2 titers (P < 0.001), and MTX treatment duration (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Anti-CCP2 antibodies are markers of severity and extent of RA-ILD in HRCT. Further longitudinal studies are required to identify if higher anti-CCP2 titers are associated with worst prognosis in RA-ILD.
26608858 [Management of osteoporosis associated with rheumatoid arthritis and glucocorticoid-induce 2015 Dec Mechanism of generalized osteoporosis associated with rheumatoid arthritis(RA)is multifactorial and following factors has been proposed:systemic effect of RA synovitis, glucocorticoids, weight loss, and endocrine changes. In addition to control of RA inflammation and management of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis(GIO), antiresorptive therapy, such as bisphosphonates is expected to show efficacy. Recently, anti-RANKL monoclonal antibodies have been shown to inhibit bone erosion and bone loss in combination with methotrexate in RA. GC-induced bone loss is most rapid during the initial 3 ~ 6 months and more slowly thereafter. Therefore, both primary and secondary prevention are important. The Japanese Society for Bone and Mineral Research(JSBMR)has updated the Guidelines on the Management and Treatment of GIO and has incorporated a new scoring method. By analyzing five GIO cohorts from primary and secondary prevention studies, age, GC dose, lumbar BMD, and prior fragility fractures were identified as risk factors and the fracture risk for an individual can be calculated as the sum of the scores for each risk factor. Pharmacological intervention should be started on the basis of a score of 3 as the optimal cut-off score. Both alendronate and risedronate are recommended as first-line treatment. Ibandronate,teriparatide, and active vitamin D3 derivatives are recommended as alternative option.
26289226 Key findings from studies of methotrexate tapering and withdrawal in rheumatoid arthritis. 2015 Methotrexate is the dominant initial drug in the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Despite its widespread use, methotrexate is associated with a number of adverse effects. Tapering its dose to the minimal amount required to maintain RA remission is, therefore, an important clinical goal. While the complete withdrawal of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs is associated with a definite risk of a disease flare, it is unclear as to what the risk is specific to methotrexate withdrawal and whether this can be minimized by gradual dose reduction (termed 'tapering'). This review examines studies of methotrexate tapering and withdrawal on RA outcomes. It covers three scenarios: tapering/withdrawing methotrexate monotherapy; tapering/withdrawing methotrexate as part of a 'step-down' combination disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug regimen; and tapering/withdrawing methotrexate when it is being co-prescribed with biologic agents.
30695331 [Biologics-Induced Kidney Injury -with Special Attention to Anti-Rheumatic Drugs -]. 2016 Jun A variety of anti-rheumatic drugs including biologics are currently used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). These drugs, as well as RA itself, can cause kidney injury. RA may trigger mesangial proliferative glomeru- lonephritis (MesPGN), membranous nephropathy (N), thin basement membrane disease, and renal amyloi- dosis. As for anti-rheumatic drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) increase serum Cr lev- els due to a reduction of glomerular circulation, particularly in the presence of dehydration. Among disease- modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARD), methotrexate as an anchor drug for RA rarely causes tubular ob- struction as a result of its crystallization, and bucillamine occasionally elicits IN. Calcineurin inhibitors induce vasoconstriction of the afferent arteries. Recently developed anti-rheumatic drugs, biologics, include biological inhibitors of TNF-a, IL6, and CD80/26. These can generally induce the remission of RA, while they have been reported to albeit uncom- monly trigger autoimmune renal disorders (AIRD). A recent meta-analysis identified a total of 29 cases with biologics-induced AIRD, 62% of who manifested AIRD within 12 months after treatment with biologics. AIRD cases were classified into 3 different groups: isolated autoimmune renal disorders (IARD, n =13), glo- merulonephritis with systemic vasculitis (GNSV, n= 12), and glomerulonephritis with lupus-like syndrome (GNLS, n=4). The IARD cases had 4 MesPGN, 4 MN, and 2 crescentic GN, while the GNSV cases had 8 crescentic GN and 3 purpura GN, and the GNLS cases had all MesPGN. To detect these renal disorders early in RA patients, urinalysis and serum Cr measurement should be peri- odically performed. New urinary biomarkers (L-FABP and Ngal) may be more sensitive for kidney injury. Notably, in RA patients receiving biologics, ANA, anti-dsDNA, and ANCA should also be tested at the base- line and regular intervals. [Review].
26556105 Majoon ushba, a polyherbal compound ameliorates rheumatoid arthritis via regulating inflam 2016 Jan The present study was aimed to investigate the anti-arthritic effect of majoon ushba (MU) and its underlying mechanism in adjuvant induced arthritis (AIA) rats. Arthritis was induced by intradermal injection of complete freund's adjuvant (0.1ml) into the right hind paw of the Wistar albino rats. MU (1000mg/kg/b.wt) and methotrexate (3mg/kg/b.wt) were administered from day 11 to day 18th for 8days after adjuvant induction. We have found that MU treatment significantly increased the level of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) and inhibited the over production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) (ELISA) in the serum of adjuvant-induced arthritic rats. The mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-17), inflammatory enzymes (inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2)), MCP-1, receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB ligand (RANKL) and transcription factors (NF-кB and AP-1) (Real-Time PCR) was found significantly downregulated in the synovial tissues of MU treated arthritic rats. In addition, the protein expression of NF-кB, IL-17, COX-2, and RANKL (western blotting and immunohistochemistry analysis) was found reduced. On the other hand, osteoprotegerin (OPG), a bone remodeling marker was found to be elevated in synovial tissues of MU treated arthritic rats. Furthermore, MU treatment prevented body weight loss and reduced the joint paw edema, cell infiltration, cartilage and bone degradation as evidenced by the histopathological and radiological analysis. In conclusion, our current findings provide scientific evidence for the traditional claim of MU as an anti-arthritic drug.
26028000 Methotrexate-associated Lymphoproliferative Disease with Multiple Pulmonary Nodules in a P 2015 Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with methotrexate (MTX) sometimes develop lymphoproliferative disease (LPD). MTX-associated LPD can affect nodal or extranodal sites, including the gastrointestinal tract, skin, lungs, kidneys and soft tissues, at almost equal frequency. However, it is very rare for MTX-associated LPD to manifest as multiple nodules in the lungs. We herein report the case of a RA patient who developed MTX-associated LPD with multiple pulmonary nodules during a 5-year course of MTX therapy.
25877498 A study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of brodalumab in subjects with 2015 Jun OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of brodalumab, a human monoclonal antibody inhibitor of the interleukin 17 receptor, in subjects with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Patients (n = 252) with inadequate response to methotrexate (MTX) were randomized to receive subcutaneous injections of brodalumab (70 mg, 140 mg, or 210 mg) or placebo. The primary endpoint was the American College of Rheumatology 50% response (ACR50) at Week 12. RESULTS: Demographics and baseline characteristics were generally balanced among treatment groups. At Week 12, ACR50 occurred in 16% (70 mg), 16% (140 mg), 10% (210 mg), and 13% (placebo; all nonsignificant vs placebo) of subjects. No significant treatment effects were observed for the secondary endpoints, including ACR20, ACR70, and Disease Activity Score in 28 joints. Incidences of all adverse events (AE), including serious AE (SAE), were similar across treatment groups. A total of 7 subjects reported SAE during the study (2 in the placebo group and 5 in the brodalumab groups), none of which was treatment related. There was 1 death (cardiopulmonary failure) ∼1 week after the last dose in the 140 mg group. CONCLUSION: Our study failed to find evidence of meaningful clinical efficacy with brodalumab treatment in subjects with RA who had an inadequate response to MTX. These preliminary results do not support further evaluation of brodalumab as a treatment for RA. Clinicaltrials.gov number: NCT00950989.
28035541 Effect of Artemisia annua extract on treating active rheumatoid arthritis: A randomized co 2017 Jul OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect and safety of the complementary use of the extract of Artemisia annua L. (EAA) on treating active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: A randomized controlled clinical trial was performed. All the 159 participates with active RA were randomly assigned to the control group (80 cases) and EAA group (79 cases) using concealed random allocation method. In the control group, patients were medicated with leflflunomide and methotrexate for 48 weeks; and patients in the EAA group were administrated with leflflunomide, methotrexate plus EAA (30 g/d). At the time points of 0, 12, 24 and 48 weeks, the clinical outcome measures, including objective pain score, tenderness score, number of painful joints, number of swollen joints, health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) score for quality of life, levels of serum rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-cyclic citrullinated protein antibodies (CCP-Ab), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C reactive protein (CRP), visual analogue score for pain (VAS), and the overall effificacy were detected and recorded. RESULTS: The objective pain score, number of painful joints and ESR at 12 weeks, tenderness score and HAQ at 24 weeks, and the tenderness score, number of painfull joints, number of swollen joints, HAQ, CRP, RF and CCP-Ab at 48 weeks were signifificantly improved in the EAA group compared with the control group (P<0.01 or P<0.05). At 24 and 48 weeks, the overall effificacy of the EAA group was signifificantly higher than the control group (P<0.01). There were signifificantly higher withdrawal rate of corticosteroids within 12 weeks post-treatment and lower incidence rate of adverse effects in the EAA group compared with the control group (P<0.01 or P<0.05). CONCLUSION: EAA plus methotrexate and leflflunomide were more effective and safer than the routine use of methotrexate and leflflunomide in the treatment of active RA.
25050521 Effect of etanercept, infliximab and methotrexate in the treatment of arthritis. 2015 Feb BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease with inflammation of the joint, leading to damage of bone and surrounding cartilage. OBJECTIVES: Our study was designed to find the efficacy of etanercept, infliximab and methotrexate in effective therapeutic management against arthritis patients. METHODS: A total of 315 patients, including both the sexes in the age group of 45-70 years with active rheumatoid arthritis attending Hospital of Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China during the period of December 2012 to November 2013 were included in the study. 100 patients with joint pains, but not with rheumatoid arthritis were taken as a control group. All the patients were treated with infliximab, methotrexate and etanercept. RESULTS: In our study, patients responded, 75% to infliximab and etanercept combinations than to methotrexate. The combination therapy also showed a radiological decrease in the joint damage. There is significant when combinations of these drugs were used for the therapy (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: In our study, use of infliximab and etanercept combinations lowered the joint damage and helped in the improvement of the patient's life.
25561362 The effects of tumour necrosis factor inhibitors, methotrexate, non-steroidal anti-inflamm 2015 Mar The objective of this systematic literature review was to determine the association between cardiovascular events (CVEs) and antirheumatic drugs in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA)/psoriasis (Pso). Systematic searches were performed of MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases (1960 to December 2012) and proceedings from major relevant congresses (2010-2012) for controlled studies and randomised trials reporting confirmed CVEs in patients with RA or PsA/Pso treated with antirheumatic drugs. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed on extracted data. Out of 2630 references screened, 34 studies were included: 28 in RA and 6 in PsA/Pso. In RA, a reduced risk of all CVEs was reported with tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (relative risk (RR), 0.70; 95% CI 0.54 to 0.90; p=0.005) and methotrexate (RR, 0.72; 95% CI 0.57 to 0.91; p=0.007). Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) increased the risk of all CVEs (RR, 1.18; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.38; p=0.04), which may have been specifically related to the effects of rofecoxib. Corticosteroids increased the risk of all CVEs (RR, 1.47; 95% CI 1.34 to 1.60; p<0.001). In PsA/Pso, systemic therapy decreased the risk of all CVEs (RR, 0.75; 95% CI 0.63 to 0.91; p=0.003). In RA, tumour necrosis factor inhibitors and methotrexate are associated with a decreased risk of all CVEs while corticosteroids and NSAIDs are associated with an increased risk. Targeting inflammation with tumour necrosis factor inhibitors or methotrexate may have positive cardiovascular effects in RA. In PsA/Pso, limited evidence suggests that systemic therapies are associated with a decrease in all CVE risk.
25973089 Significance of liver biopsy for the evaluation of methotrexate-induced liver damage in pa 2015 It is well recognized that long-term administration of methotrexate (MTX) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can induce liver fibrosis via a steatohepatitis-like inflammatory process. Several non-invasive tests have been investigated as alternatives to liver biopsy, which is, however, still recognized as a final diagnostic modality to detect the MTX-induced liver damage. To clarify whether there is a significant discrepancy between clinical estimations and pathologic findings of this hepatic condition, we performed a following comparative study. Four RA patients (4 women, age 67-80 yr) with MTX-induced liver damage were reviewed. The severity of hepatic damage estimated clinically was compared with histopathologic findings. Consequently, the liver biopsies showed the relatively earlier stages of and milder degrees of hepatic damages than the clinical estimations. The histopathologic findings were more reliable and useful than any other clinical examinations, to plan and modify the treatment strategies, especially in cases of liver damages with multiple etiologies besides MTX. These findings suggest that liver biopsy is an unavoidable examination to assess precisely MTX-induced liver damage. Non-invasive tests may be useful to monitor the hepatic condition of RA patients receiving MTX but do not constitute an acceptable alternative to liver biopsy.
28299917 The impact on disability of initial treatment with methotrexate in patients with rheumatoi 2016 Dec 31 The study aimed to assess in a population of subjects with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with methotrexate (MTX) how the initial approach to the treatment influenced subsequent disability. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of data collected during the baseline visit of the MARI study, a multicenter observational study on patients with RA on treatment with MTX for at least 12 months. Subjects who fulfilled the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) were included in the evaluation. For every patient we retrospectively evaluated the disease duration, the duration of symptoms before the diagnosis, the time elapsed before first MTX treatment, the initial MTX dose, and the concomitant medications in the first six months of therapy. Disability was defined as a DI-HAQ score ≥1. The study population included 1015 subjects. Patients with a DI-HAQ score ≥1 had a longer duration of symptoms before diagnosis, a higher delay in treatment initiation, a lower initial dose of MTX and a more frequent co-treatment with symptomatic drugs. Disability was found less frequently in subjects treated with other concomitant disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) but not with biological agents. Logistic regression analysis identified as significant predictors of disability: older age, female sex, a longer time to complete diagnosis, a delay in starting MTX treatment higher than 6 months, and a concomitant treatment with symptomatic drugs, while a combination therapy with other DMARDs was associated with a lower risk of disability. A late diagnosis and a delay in starting a treatment with MTX are associated with poorer functional outcomes in patients with RA.
27113212 Acute exacerbation of interstitial pneumonia associated with rheumatoid arthritis during t 2016 Apr 26 BACKGROUND: Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) is potentially fatal infectious complication in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) during immunosuppressive therapy. Hospital survival due to human immunodeficiency virus-unrelated PCP reaches to 60%. The high mortality rate results from difficulties in establishing an early diagnosis, concurrent use of prophylactic drugs, possible bacterial coinfection. We herein report a case of PCP in RA patients who developed the architectural distortions of lung in spite of combined modality therapy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 73-year-old Japanese woman with RA was admitted with shortness of breath. Five weeks previously, she had been started on etanercept in addition to methotrexate (MTX). Chest computed tomography (CT) demonstrated diffuse ground glass opacities distributed throughout the bilateral middle to lower lung fields, and serum β-D-glucan was elevated. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid revealed no P. jirovecii, but the organism was detected by polymerase chain reaction method. Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole was administered with methylprednisolone pulse therapy. However, the follow-up chest X-ray and chest CT demonstrated aggravation of the pneumonia with architectural distortions. Additional direct hemoperfusion with polymyxin B-immobilized fibers and intravenous cyclophosphamide therapy were insufficiently effective, and the patient died on day 25. CONCLUSION: The architectural distortions of lung should be considered as a cause of death of PCP. For this reason, a high suspicion of this infectious complication must be kept in mind in order to establish an early diagnosis and treatment in patients with RA managed with MTX and biologics.
24845391 Systemic inflammation and cardiovascular risk factors predict rapid progression of atheros 2015 Jun OBJECTIVE: To estimate atherosclerosis progression and identify influencing factors in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: We used carotid ultrasound to measure intima-media thickness (IMT) in RA patients, and ascertained cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, inflammation markers and medications. A second ultrasound was performed approximately 3 years later. We calculated the progression rate by subtracting the baseline from the follow-up IMT, divided by the time between the two scans. We used logistic regression to identify baseline factors predictive of rapid progression. We tested for interactions of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) with CV risk factors and medication use. RESULTS: Results were available for 487 RA patients. The mean (SD) common carotid IMT at baseline was 0.571 mm (0.151). After a mean of 2.8 years, the IMT increased by 0.050 mm (0.055), p≤0.001, a progression rate of 0.018 mm/year (95% CI 0.016 to 0.020). Baseline factors associated with rapid progression included the number of CV risk factors (OR 1.27 per risk factor, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.61), and the ESR (OR 1.12 per 10 mm/h, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.23). The ESR×CV risk factor and ESR×medication product terms were significant, suggesting these variables modify the association between the ESR and IMT progression. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic inflammation and CV risk factors were associated with rapid IMT progression. CV risk factors may modify the role of systemic inflammation in determining IMT progression over time. Methotrexate and antitumour necrosis factor agents may influence IMT progression by reducing the effect of the systemic inflammation on the IMT.
27964706 Low-Dose Methotrexate (LD-MTX) in Rheumatology Practice - A Most Widely Misunderstood Drug 2016 Methotrexate (MTX) was synthesised as a folate antagonist for use in treating childhood leukaemia in 1940s. Gubner and colleagues in 1953 used several log-order lower doses of MTX that mimicked the anti-inflammatory properties of cortisone. They used it successfully in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Their work was however overlooked because the Nobel Prize winning drug cortisone held sway in those days. With increasing awareness of the adverse effects of cortisone, interest was rekindled in discovering 'steroid-sparing' drugs. Hoffmeister and Willkens used low-dose MTX (LD-MTX) in treating RA patients in 1960s with impressive results. Pivotal trials in 1984-5 established the efficacy and safety of LD-MTX in treating RA that gained FDA approval in 1988. LD-MTX at doses <25-30 mg weekly as mini-pulses, is presently the standard-of-care for the treatment of RA. Its toxicities and adverse effects are rarely if ever life-threatening. This is in contrast to the high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) for treating malignancies at doses that are several log-orders higher and usually cause serious toxicities. While LD-MTX acts mainly as an anti-inflammatory drug by increasing tissue adenosine levels besides other mechanisms, HD-MTX has anti-proliferative cytotoxic action with different toxicity profile and adverse effects. In practical terms LD-MTX and HD-MTX are 2 different therapeutic agents. However, in developing countries like India the stigma attached to MTX as a cytotoxic 'cancer drug' still persists and most non-rheumatologists fear its use in RA. This review aims to allay such anxiety attached to LD-MTX so that they start using it in appropriate doses for treating RA.
26086825 Pharmacogenomics of Methotrexate Membrane Transport Pathway: Can Clinical Response to Meth 2015 Jun 16 BACKGROUND: Methotrexate (MTX) is widely used for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) could be used as predictors of patients' therapeutic outcome variability. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the influence of SNPs in genes encoding for MTX membrane transport proteins in order to predict clinical response to MTX. METHODS: Clinicopathological data from 233 RA patients treated with MTX were collected, clinical response defined, and patients genotyped for 23 SNPs. Genotype and haplotype analyses were performed using multivariate methods and a genetic risk index (GRI) for non-response was created. RESULTS: Increased risk for non-response was associated to SLC22A11 rs11231809 T carriers; ABCC1 rs246240 G carriers; ABCC1 rs3784864 G carriers; CGG haplotype for ABCC1 rs35592, rs2074087 and rs3784864; and CGG haplotype for ABCC1 rs35592, rs246240 and rs3784864. GRI demonstrated that patients with Index 3 were 16-fold more likely to be non-responders than those with Index 1. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that SLC22A11 and ABCC1 may be important to identify those patients who will not benefit from MTX treatment, highlighting the relevance in translating these results to clinical practice. However, further validation by independent studies is needed to develop the field of personalized medicine to predict clinical response to MTX treatment.
26032432 Efficacy and safety of a biosimilar rituximab in biologic naïve patients with active rheu 2015 Jul Biosimilar usage in rheumatology is set to increase over the next few years. This study reports the efficacy and toxicity of a rituximab biosimilar in biologic naïve patients with active rheumatoid arthritis who had inadequately responded to methotrexate. In 21 patients, over a follow-up period of 36 months, it demonstrated prolonged benefit in a majority (10 in remission with disease activity score 28 (DAS28) erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) <2.6 and 9 in low disease activity state with DAS28 ESR between 3.2 and 2.6) and was well tolerated.
26575614 Drug outcome survey to evaluate anti-TNF treatment in rheumatoid arthritis: an Italian obs 2015 Nov OBJECTIVES: The aim of this paper is to analyse the use of anti-TNF drugs in current Italian practice, evaluate clinical responses to treatment, and identify possible predictors of negative response in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: DOSE is a non-interventional, prospective study of patients with active RA treated for the first time with anti-TNF agents in 21 Italian hospitals. Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients, treatments and outcome measures were assessed. Outcome measures used were EULAR response, DAS28 remission and HAQ remission at 12 months. A stepwise logistic regression model was used to study the predictors of non-response. RESULTS: Of 299 RA patients (mean 53.8 ± 12.8 years, 76.1% female), DAS28 was >5.1 in 60.5% of patients and HAQ was >1 in 65.9%. Etanercept was the most prescribed anti-TNF. DMARDs were used in 77.6% of patients (methotrexate in 59.2%). Significant improvements in clinical and laboratory parameters were observed at 12 months. The proportion of patients classed as non-responders remained high, and varied according to assessment criteria. The main predictors independently and significantly associated with a high risk of non-response were: age and female gender for all outcome criteria; high DAS28 value for disease remission; and HAQ >1 for disability remission. CONCLUSIONS: In Italian anti-TNF treatment for RA, age, gender, and high values of both disease activity and disability were predictors of non-response to first-line therapy with anti-TNF drugs. Future studies should consider optimal second-line therapies for RA patients who do not achieve remission to their first anti-TNF treatment.