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ID PMID Title PublicationDate abstract
24792332 The in vitro addition of methotrexate and/or methylprednisolone determines peripheral redu 2015 Jan The aim of our study was to evaluate methotrexate (MTX) and methylprednisolone (MP) effect on peripheral Th17 and Treg subsets in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We enrolled 15 patients (10 early RA and 5 long-standing disease) with active RA and 10 age-matched healthy donors as controls. Frequencies of Th17 and Treg were quantified using flow cytometry before and after in vitro addition of MTX, MP or both drugs. Our results showed a reduction in the overall Th17 population followed by an increase in Th17 IL-10(+) and Treg, after in vitro treatment of PBMCs with the drugs in patients with early RA. Long-standing disease patients showed a less evident increase in Treg cells and less enhancement of IL-10 Th17 cells. We suggest that the treatment with MTX and MP could ameliorate RA disease activity by normalizing the distribution/imbalance of Th17/Treg and indicate a new regulatory role of IL-17(+) cells in RA patients.
25873634 Full dose, reduced dose or discontinuation of etanercept in rheumatoid arthritis. 2016 Jan BACKGROUND: The aim of the Dose Reduction or Discontinuation of Etanercept in Methotrexate-Treated Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Who Have Achieved a Stable Low Disease Activity-State study was to investigate the effect of etanercept (ETN) dose maintenance, reduction or withdrawal on patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who had already achieved stable low disease activity (LDA) on ETN 50 mg+methotrexate (MTX). METHODS: Patients with RA (n=91) and stable LDA with ETN 50 mg once weekly (QW)+MTX were included. After 8 weeks with unchanged treatment, 73 patients were randomised in a double-blind design to ETN 50 mg QW+MTX (ETN50), ETN 25 mg QW+MTX (ETN25) or placebo QW+MTX (PBO) for 48 weeks. Patients who flared were declared failures and treated with open-label ETN50 until week 48. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients on ETN50 versus PBO who were non-failures after 48 weeks. RESULTS: The proportion of non-failure patients was significantly lower with ETN50 (52%; p=0.007) and ETN25 (44%; p=0.044) versus PBO (13%). Median time to failure was significantly shorter with PBO (6 weeks) compared with ETN50 (48 weeks; p=0.001) and ETN25 (36 weeks; p<0.001). The majority of patients who flared regained LDA with open-label ETN50 quickly. Adverse events were consistent with the known side effect profiles of these medications. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with established RA who have achieved stable LDA on ETN50+MTX, continuing both is superior to PBO+MTX. Reduced dose ETN was also more effective than PBO in maintaining a favourable response, suggesting that a maintenance strategy with reduced dose ETN may be possible in a number of patients with established RA. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT00858780.
25765688 [Management of rheumatoid arthritis medications and pregnancy]. 2015 Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects mainly women during their childbearing years. As aging of childbirth advances in Japan, women who plan pregnancy would increase after they developed RA. Recent findings showed that high disease activity of RA might impair fertility. Planning pregnancy is preferable after female patients achive and maintain low disease activity or remission of RA. Women on methotrexate, which is the anchor drug for RA, need to discontinue the medication with a high risk of causing birth defects during conception and pregnancy. Data of RA patients exposed TNF inhibitors during pregnancy has been accumulating in recent years. These data suggest that increased risk of spontaneous abortion and congenital abnomalies has not been observed. Although there is insufficient data about safety of breastfeeding while using TNF inhibitors, the secretion of the drugs in breast milk is very little and fetal toxicity has not been observed. Since long term safety of children exposed TNF inhibitors in uterus has not been established, we should discontinue the drugs as soon as pregnancy is recognized. TNF inhibitors may be an useful tools for management of active RA resistant to conventional DMARDs in women who desire to bear children.
24550168 Efficacy and safety of ascending methotrexate dose in combination with adalimumab: the ran 2015 Jun OBJECTIVE: CONCERTO was a randomised, double-blind, parallel-armed study of methotrexate (MTX) in combination with adalimumab to assess whether an increasing trend of efficacy and decreased safety exists when increasing MTX dose in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Early, biologic and MTX-naive RA patients (N=395) were evenly randomised to open-label adalimumab (40 mg every other week) plus weekly blinded 2.5, 5, 10 or 20 mg MTX for 26 weeks. Clinical, radiographic and functional outcomes were analysed using two-sided linear trend tests or one-way analysis of covariance. RESULTS: Statistically significant increasing trends were observed in the proportion of patients achieving the primary endpoint, 28-joint count disease activity score with C reactive protein (DAS28(CRP)) <3.2 (42.9%, 44.0%, 56.6% and 60.2% for 2.5, 5, 10 or 20 mg/week MTX, respectively), DAS28(CRP) <2.6 and American College of Rheumatology 50/70/90 responses with increasing doses of MTX in combination with adalimumab. No statistical differences in minimal clinically important differences in physical function were detected. Statistically significant trends for achieving low disease activity and remission were demonstrated with increasing MTX dose by validated clinical indices; differences comparing 10 and 20 mg MTX were minimal. Adalimumab serum concentrations increased with ascending dose up to 10 mg MTX. More patients experienced infectious adverse events with increasing MTX dose. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing doses of MTX in combination with adalimumab demonstrated a statistically significant trend in improved clinical outcomes that mimicked the adalimumab pharmacokinetic profile. In early RA patients initiating adalimumab combination therapy, efficacy of 10 and 20 mg/week MTX appeared equivalent.
27311185 [TNF inhibitors]. 2016 Jun As of January 2016, 5 originator TNF inhibitors (infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab, golimumab and certolizumab pegol) and an infliximab biosimilar are available for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Japan. The efficacy and effectiveness of TNF inhibitors improve with concomitant methotrexate even for the least immunogenic agent. The Japan College of Rheumatology guideline for TNF inhibitor use in RA has been updated in March 2015, including recent evidences of effectiveness and safety partly from the postmarketing surveillance data in Japan. During the remission induction phase, maintenance of drug trough level above effective blood concentration is paramount, while the tapering and withdrawal of TNF inhibitors may be considered after achieving sustained remission.
25604317 Methotrexate as combination partner of TNF inhibitors and tocilizumab. What is reasonable 2015 Apr The goal of therapy of rheumatoid arthritis is to achieve a remission or at least low disease activity. TNF inhibitors induce high remission rates only in combination with methotrexate, whereas the efficacy of tocilizumab is optimal even as a monotherapy. In this article, the differing dependence of the biological drugs on methotrexate is explained from the viewpoint of an immunologist. A selective search and evaluation of the literature was performed with regard to the mode of action of TNF inhibitors, tocilizumab and methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis. Methotrexate primarily inhibits the activation and proliferation of lymphocytes. TNF inhibitors suppress monocytes and myeloid dendritic cells, and tocilizumab has a broader activity and is directed against both the lymphoid as well as the myeloid compartment. In view of the broad mode of action of tocilizumab, it can be explained why this drug, in contrast to TNF inhibitors, is acting optimally even in monotherapy.
27913894 Use and effectiveness of tocilizumab among patients with rheumatoid arthritis: an observat 2017 Feb The aims of the present study are to describe the characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients selected for tocilizumab (TCZ), compare the "real-world" effectiveness of TCZ and tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) when used as a first biologic and assess the influence of past biologic exposure/concurrent methotrexate (MTX) therapy on post-TCZ treatment outcomes. The British Society for Rheumatology Biologics Register (BSRBR-RA) is a prospective cohort study following RA patients starting biologics in the UK. This includes patients starting TCZ as first or subsequent biologic, alongside biologic-naïve patients starting TNFi. Six-month disease activity and 1-year drug survival were compared between biologic-naïve patients starting TCZ versus TNFi and first-line versus subsequent TCZ users and TCZ users with MTX versus without using regression models adjusted by propensity score. Two hundred seventeen patients started TCZ, and 2419 started TNFi as first biologic. Seven hundred seventy-seven started TCZ after other biologics. First-line TCZ users had a higher prevalence of pulmonary fibrosis and cancer history than TNFi users. The first-line TCZ users were more likely to achieve DAS28 remission at 6 months than first-line TNFi, but other improvement markers were similar. The treatment response at 6 months was similar between subsequent-line TCZ users and first-line users after adjusting for baseline patient differences. Concurrent MTX use was not associated with treatment response in either first- or subsequent-line TCZ users. TCZ has been primarily used as subsequent-line biologic in the UK. When used as first line, the response appears similar to that observed in patients starting TNFi, suggesting that clinical response alone should not decide between initial biologic therapies.
26252293 Primary Adrenal Lymphoma Possibly Associated With Epstein-Barr Virus Reactivation Due to I 2015 Aug Primary adrenal lymphoproliferative disorder (LPD) is an extremely rare disease that is widely known to be associated with methotrexate (MTX) use in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).A 70-year-old man was incidentally found to have a tumor at the dorsal part of the liver in a medical check-up. He had a history of RA treated with MTX. Abdominal ultrasonography demonstrated a low echoic mass (30 mm in diameter) at the dorsal part of the liver, located close to the inferior vena cava. Preoperative differential diagnoses included intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, adrenal tumor, and hepatic malignant lymphoma, but no definitive diagnosis was reached. On exploratory laparotomy, the tumor seemed to be derived from the right adrenal gland and adhered tightly to segment 7 of the liver. Therefore, right adrenectomy with partial resection of segment 7 of the liver was performed. Pathological findings revealed diffuse inflammatory cell infiltration with a population of small atypical lymphoid cells, with positive immunohistochemical evidence for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Final diagnosis was primary adrenal iatrogenic EBV-positive LPD, classified as "other iatrogenic immunodeficiency-associated LPDs: Hodgkin-like lesions."In this report, we described the possibility of the spontaneous healing of MTX-associated LPD (MTX-LPD) before treatment and the importance of doubting MTX-LPD and doing immunostaining to necrotic tissue. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of MTX-related EBV-positive LPD, Hodgkin-like lesion, of the unilateral adrenal gland in patient with RA.
26833462 Safety, PK, and PD of recombinant anti-interleukin-21 monoclonal antibody in a first-in-hu 2016 Apr OBJECTIVE: This first-in-human, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial assessed the safety of NNC0114-0005, a human recombinant anti interleukin (IL)-21 monoclonal antibody, for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Healthy male subjects (HS (n = 44)) and patients with active RA treated with methotrexate (n = 20) were randomized 3 : 1 to single IV or SC doses of NNC0114-0005 (0.0025 - 25 mg/kg) or placebo. Safety endpoints, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics were assessed over 12 weeks. RESULTS: All study participants were analyzed. 37 AEs were reported in 21 NNC0114-0005-treated participants (44%) and 18 AEs in 10 placebo-treated participants (63%), with no dose-dependency. The most common AEs were headache and nasopharyngitis; there were no injection-site reactions Linear pharmacokinetics of NNC0114-0005 were indicated (mean terminal half-life, 2 - 3 weeks). Dose-dependent total IL-21 (free IL-21 and IL-21‒NNC0114-0005 complexes) accumulation was observed. Preliminary signs of reduced RA activity were observed with 25 mg/kg NNC0114-0005. CONCLUSIONS: Single doses of NNC0114-0005 (≤ 25 mg/kg IV; ≤ 4 mg/kg SC) were well tolerated in HS and patients with RA. Accumulation of IL-21-containing complexes suggests neutralization of the target cytokine. Based< on this trial, further trials to explore the efficacy of anti-IL-21 were initiated.
25795907 The effect of tofacitinib on pneumococcal and influenza vaccine responses in rheumatoid ar 2016 Apr OBJECTIVE: To evaluate tofacitinib's effect upon pneumococcal and influenza vaccine immunogenicity. METHODS: We conducted two studies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis using the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV-23) and the 2011-2012 trivalent influenza vaccine. In study A, tofacitinib-naive patients were randomised to tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily or placebo, stratified by background methotrexate and vaccinated 4 weeks later. In study B, patients already receiving tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily (with or without methotrexate) were randomised into two groups: those continuing ('continuous') or interrupting ('withdrawn') tofacitinib for 2 weeks, and then vaccinated 1 week after randomisation. In both studies, titres were measured 35 days after vaccination. Primary endpoints were the proportion of patients achieving a satisfactory response to pneumococcus (twofold or more titre increase against six or more of 12 pneumococcal serotypes) and influenza (fourfold or more titre increase against two or more of three influenza antigens). RESULTS: In study A (N=200), fewer tofacitinib patients (45.1%) developed satisfactory pneumococcal responses versus placebo (68.4%), and pneumococcal titres were lower with tofacitinib (particularly with methotrexate). Similar proportions of tofacitinib-treated and placebo-treated patients developed satisfactory influenza responses (56.9% and 62.2%, respectively), although fewer tofacitinib patients (76.5%) developed protective influenza titres (≥1:40 in two or more of three antigens) versus placebo (91.8%). In study B (N=183), similar proportions of continuous and withdrawn patients had satisfactory responses to PPSV-23 (75.0% and 84.6%, respectively) and influenza (66.3% and 63.7%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients starting tofacitinib, diminished responsiveness to PPSV-23, but not influenza, was observed, particularly in those taking concomitant methotrexate. Among existing tofacitinib users, temporary drug discontinuation had limited effect upon influenza or PPSV-23 vaccine responses. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS: NCT01359150, NCT00413699.
25627338 Golimumab in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis after treatment with tumor necrosis 2015 Jan 22 INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to assess long-term golimumab therapy in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who discontinued previous tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF)-inhibitor(s). METHODS: Patients enrolled into this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of active RA (≥4 tender, ≥4 swollen joints) received placebo (Group 1) or golimumab 50 mg (Group 2) or 100 mg (Group 3) injections every 4 weeks. Patients in Groups 1 and 2 with inadequate response at week 16 escaped to golimumab 50 and 100 mg, respectively. At week 24, Group 1 patients crossed-over to golimumab 50 mg, Group 2 continued golimumab 50/100 mg per escape status, and Group 3 maintained dosing. During the long-term-extension (LTE), golimumab 50 mg could be increased to 100 mg, and 100 mg could be decreased to 50 mg. Data through 5 years are reported for all patients (safety) and patients using methotrexate (efficacy, intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis with last-observation-carried-forward for missing data and non-responder imputation for unsatisfactory efficacy discontinuations). RESULTS: In total, 459 of 461 randomized patients received the study agent, 304 of whom were methotrexate-treated and included in efficacy analyses. Through week 256, the proportions of methotrexate-treated patients achieving American-College-of-Rheumatology (ACR) responses were 37.6% to 47.0% for ACR20, 21.4% to 35.0% for ACR50, and 7.8% to 17.0% for ACR70 response across randomized groups. Golimumab safety through week 268 was generally consistent with that at week 24 and week 160 and other anti-TNF agents. CONCLUSIONS: In some patients with active RA discontinuing previous TNF-antagonist therapy, golimumab safety and efficacy, assessed conservatively with ITT analyses, was confirmed through 5 years. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00299546 . Registered 03 March 2006.
26733461 Methotrexate-related lymphoproliferative disorder of the stomach in a patient with rheumat 2016 Feb We report the case of a 78-year-old woman with methotrexate-related gastric lymphoproliferative disorder (LPD). The patient had a history of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and had been treated with methotrexate (MTX). Endoscopic examination revealed round elevated lesions in the stomach, and a biopsy specimen showed atypical lymphoid cell proliferation. Immunohistological study found these atypical cells to be positive for L-26 but not for CD3 or EBER. Therefore, we made a diagnosis of MTX-related LPD showing features of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Combined positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) showed increased avidity in the stomach in addition to slightly increased FDG-avidity in the mediastinum and left chest wall. We decided not to start chemotherapy but to discontinue administration of MTX, with follow-up using endoscopy and PET-CT. The endoscopic examinations after cessation of MTX demonstrated gradual regression of the elevated lesions. PET-CT 6 months after cessation showed no increased FDG avidity in the stomach. While disease regression was observed in the stomach, the other FDG-avid spots remained unchanged on PET-CT. Therefore, we performed chemotherapy as additional therapy. On PET-CT after chemotherapy, the FDG-avid spots remained unchanged for more than 1 year, and we eventually concluded that they were RA-related inflammatory lesions. In patients with MTX-related LPD, cessation of MTX may be a therapeutic option, but careful follow-up and chemotherapy in accordance with the clinical course are essential.
26702616 Autophagy induction contributes to the resistance to methotrexate treatment in rheumatoid 2015 Dec 23 BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synovial cells (RA-FLS) show resistance to methotrexate (MTX) treatment. To better understand the mechanisms of this resistance, RA-FLS and osteoarthritis fibroblast-like synovial cells (OA-FLS) were isolated and exposed to MTX. We analyzed the autophagy induced by MTX in vitro and its relationship to apoptosis. METHODS: Cell viability was evaluated using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, and apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry and Western blot analysis. Autophagy was determined by transmission electron microscopy as well as Western blot analysis. The expression levels of Beclin-1, LC3, Akt, p-Akt, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), p-mTOR, high mobility group box chromosomal protein 1 (HMGB1), and an 85 kDa caspase cleaved fragment of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase were measured by Western blotting. RESULTS: MTX-induced apoptosis was increased in OA-FLS compared with RA-FLS. However, MTX stimulated the autophagy response in RA-FLS by inducing autophagosome formation, but not in OA-FLS. In RA-FLS, transfection with Beclin-1 small interfering RNA inhibited autophagy and increased susceptibility to MTX, which induces cell death. MTX upregulated autophagy through its ability to enhance the expression of HMGB1 and Beclin-1 rather than through the Akt/mTOR pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Autophagy induction contributes to resistance to MTX treatment in fibroblasts from patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
27455991 Etanercept (SB4): A Review in Autoimmune Inflammatory Diseases. 2016 Aug Etanercept (SB4) [Benepali(®)], a tumour necrosis factor inhibitor that is a biosimilar of reference etanercept (Enbrel(®)), is approved in the EU for use in all adult indications for which reference etanercept is approved, namely rheumatoid arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis (ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis), psoriatic arthritis, and plaque psoriasis. The approval of etanercept (SB4) was based on the results of stringent comparability exercises designed to demonstrate similarity to reference etanercept in terms of quality, biological activity, efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity. In two well-designed clinical trials, etanercept (SB4) was equivalent to reference etanercept with regard to pharmacokinetic properties in healthy volunteers and in terms of efficacy in patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis despite methotrexate therapy. Longer-term efficacy (up to 52 weeks) was also similar in both treatment groups. Etanercept (SB4) was generally well tolerated, with a similar safety profile to that of reference etanercept. Preliminary results of the open-label extension period (100 weeks) suggest that transitioning from reference etanercept to etanercept (SB4) was associated with sustained efficacy and no change in the adverse event profile or immunogenicity. In conclusion, etanercept (SB4) provides therapeutically equivalent alternative in adult patients with autoimmune inflammatory diseases requiring treatment with etanercept.
25873635 Efficacy and safety of tabalumab, an anti-B-cell-activating factor monoclonal antibody, in 2015 Aug OBJECTIVES: Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate efficacy and safety of tabalumab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with inadequate responses to methotrexate (MTX-IR). METHODS: 1041 patients with moderate-severe RA despite ongoing MTX enrolled in a 52-week study evaluating subcutaneous tabalumab 120 mg every four weeks (120/Q4W) or 90 mg every two weeks (90/Q2W) versus placebo. Primary endpoints were American College of Rheumatology 20% (ACR20) response rate and Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index change from baseline at 24 weeks and modified Total Sharp Score (mTSS) change at 52 weeks. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in ACR20 responses at week 24 or mTSS change from baseline at week 52 among treatment groups. Declines were seen in CD20+ B cells and immunoglobulin levels in tabalumab groups, but not placebo: B cells (-15.0%, -18.8%, 5.3%, in the 120/Q4W, 90/Q2W, and placebo groups, respectively); IgM (-16.3%, -19.4%, -0.1%), IgA (-11.4%, -4.7%, 1.2%) and IgG (-8.6%, -7.8%, 0.1%). Discontinuations due to adverse events were similar between groups. Numerically more serious infections were reported in tabalumab groups (1.7%, 0.6%, 0.3%); numerically more injection-site reactions were reported in the 90/Q2W group (2.3%, 4.3%, 2.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Neither clinical efficacy nor significant safety signals were observed with tabalumab despite evidence of biological activity. This study was terminated early due to insufficient efficacy. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01198002.
25973110 Epstein-Barr virus-positive multiple myeloma developing after immunosuppressant therapy fo 2015 A 61-year-old woman was diagnosed as having rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and began treatment with salazosulfapyridine (SASP) and methotrexate (MTX) in 2008; the administration of concomitant tacrolimus (TAC) was initiated in 2010. She subsequently developed concurrent multiple myeloma (MM), immunoglobulin G (IgG)-κ type, in 2012. A portion of the tumor cells tested positive for Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNA (EBER). MTX treatment was discontinued in 2014, and the exacerbation of MM ensued. The patient received two cycles of bortezomib plus dexamethasone (BD) therapy and attained a complete response (CR). She then underwent an autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. The Epstein-Barr (EB) virus infection arising from the increased RA disease activity and immunosuppressant medication might have influenced the development of MM in this case. Most reported patients with EB virus-positive plasmacytoma are in a state of immunosuppression, and this condition may fall within the category of other iatrogenic immunodeficiency-associated lymphoproliferative disorders. No other reports of plasmacytoma occurring in a background of RA or after TAC or MTX therapy have been made, and the present case is the first such report.
26384029 Safety and retention of combination triple disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs in new-o 2015 Dec BACKGROUND: While efficacy of combination treatment with methotrexate (MTX), sulfasalazine (SSZ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) ('triple therapy') has been shown in clinical trials, few studies have examined its longevity in a real-life setting. AIM: Our aim was to assess the tolerability, longevity and efficacy of a triple disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) regimen initiated in new-onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. METHODS: Patients who met 1987 American College of Rheumatology criteria for RA with disease duration less than 2 years were offered triple therapy upon diagnosis. Treatment was intensified according to a response-driven step-up algorithm, which included progression to leflunomide (LEF) or a biologic agent. RESULTS: Of 181 new-onset RA patients, 119 commenced triple therapy. Median duration of triple therapy was 39 weeks, and 23.5% remained on it at last follow up, with median follow up 104 weeks. Continuous therapy with any three-DMARD combination (including LEF) occurred in 32% at last follow up, with median duration of 70 weeks. Cessation of at least one of MTX, SSZ or HCQ occurred because of an adverse event in 38%, remission in 7% and incomplete response in 28% of patients. SSZ accounted for 49% of initial drug withdrawals for an adverse event. Continuation of three-drug therapy did not significantly influence the proportion of patients achieving remission or low disease activity (LDA). CONCLUSIONS: Triple therapy in new-onset RA was reasonably well tolerated, persisting for median 39 weeks. SSZ intolerance commonly reduces longevity of triple therapy. Treating to the target of remission or LDA is more important than the number of DMARD continued.
27334658 Switching from adalimumab to tofacitinib in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arth 2016 Jun 23 BACKGROUND: Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this study was to explore the safety and efficacy of open-label tofacitinib following blinded treatment with adalimumab or tofacitinib for moderate to severe RA. METHODS: Analyses included patients treated with adalimumab 40 mg once every 2 weeks or tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily (BID) with background methotrexate (MTX) in a 12-month randomized study (NCT00853385), who subsequently received tofacitinib 10 mg BID (with/without background MTX) in an open-label extension (NCT00413699). Patients with treatment-related serious adverse events (AEs) and serious or recurrent infections in the index study were excluded from the extension study. Exposure-adjusted incidence rates of safety-related events were assessed in 3-month and 12-month periods in the year before and in the year after switching. Efficacy was assessed 3 months before, at the time of, and 3 months after switching. RESULTS: There were 233 (107 adalimumab to tofacitinib 10 mg BID, 126 blinded to open-label tofacitinib 10 mg BID) patients included in these analyses. Patients in both treatment sequences had similar incidence rates (per 100 patient-years) of discontinuation due to AEs, serious AEs, and serious infections in the year before and in the year after switching. Incidence rates of AEs were increased in the first 3 months after switching compared with the last 3 months before switching in both treatment groups. Switching from either blinded adalimumab or tofacitinib to open-label tofacitinib resulted in numerically higher incidence of responders for signs and symptoms of disease and improved physical function. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment can be directly switched from adalimumab to tofacitinib. A similar safety and efficacy profile was seen when patients received open-label tofacitinib after receiving either blinded adalimumab or tofacitinib. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifiers: NCT00853385 , registered 27 February 2009; NCT00413699 , registered 18 December 2006.
26531309 Investigation of the cytokine response to NF-κB decoy oligonucleotide coated polysacchari 2015 Nov 4 INTRODUCTION: The transcription factor nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) is highly involved in regulation of a number of cellular processes, including production of inflammatory mediators. Thus, this transcription factor plays a role in pathology of many diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease hallmarked by an imbalance of pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Small nucleic acids with sequences that mimic the native binding site of NF-κB have been proposed as treatment options for RA; however due to low cellular penetration and a high degree of instability, clinical applications of these therapeutics have been limited. METHODS: Here, we describe the use of N-trimethyl chitosan-polysialic acid (PSA-TMC) nanoparticles coated with decoy oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) specific to transcription factor NF-κB (PSA-TMC-ODN) as a method to enhance the stability of the nucleic acids and facilitate increased cellular penetration. In addition to decoy ODN, PSA-TMC nanoparticles were loaded with RA therapeutic methotrexate (MTX), to assess the anti-inflammatory efficacy of a combination therapy approach. Two different in vitro models, a cell line based model as well as a primary RA cell model were used to investigate anti-inflammatory activity. One way ANOVA followed by Holm-Sidak stepdown comparisons was used to determine statistical significance. RESULTS: In general, free ODN did not significantly affect secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8, (IL-8) while free MTX had variable efficacy. However, PSA-TMC-ODN and PSA-TMC-ODN-MTX resulted in significant decreases in the inflammatory mediators IL-6 and IL-8 in both cell models. In addition, PSA-TMC exhibited sufficient cellular uptake, as observed through fluorescence microscopy. CONCLUSIONS: These results support our previous findings that PSA-TMC nanoparticles are an effective delivery vehicle for small nucleic acids, and effectively alter the pro-inflammatory state characteristic of RA.
25748956 Methotrexate-related primary hepatic lymphoma in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis. 2015 A 56-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis treated with methotrexate (MTX) was admitted to our hospital due to multiple liver tumors. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed multiple hypovascular masses, and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography CT showed diffuse abnormal accumulation in the liver only. We therefore made a diagnosis of MTX-related primary hepatic lymphoma (MTX-PHL) exhibiting features of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Although MTX has been reported to increase the risk of lymphoproliferative disorders, MTX-PHL has not been reported previously. The present case is the first case in which MTX appears to have been involved in the development of PHL.