Chetan S. Karyekar

Evaluating drug-free remission with abatacept in early rheumatoid arthritis: results from the phase 3b, multicentre, randomised, active-controlled AVERT study of 24 months, with a 12-month, double-blind treatment period

Objectives To evaluate clinical remission with subcutaneous abatacept plus methotrexate (MTX) and abatacept monotherapy at 12 months in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and maintenance of remission following the rapid withdrawal of all RA treatment. Methods In the Assessing Very Early Rheumatoid arthritis Treatment phase 3b trial, patients with early active RA were randomised to double-blind, weekly, subcutaneous abatacept 125 mg plus MTX, abatacept 125 mg monotherapy, or MTX for 12 months. Patients with low disease activity (Disease Activity Score (DAS)28 (C reactive protein (CRP)) <3.2) at month 12 entered a 12-month period of withdrawal of all RA therapy. The coprimary endpoints were the proportion of patients with DAS28 (CRP) <2.6 at month 12 and both months 12 and 18, for abatacept plus MTX versus MTX. Results Patients had <2 years of RA symptoms, DAS28 (CRP) ≥3.2, anticitrullinated peptide-2 antibody positivity and 95.2% were rheumatoid factor positive. For abatacept plus MTX versus MTX, DAS28 (CRP) <2.6 was achieved in 60.9% versus 45.2% (p=0.010) at 12 months, and following treatment withdrawal, in 14.8% versus 7.8% (p=0.045) at both 12 and 18 months. DAS28 (CRP) <2.6 was achieved for abatacept monotherapy in 42.5% (month 12) and 12.4% (both months 12 and 18). Both abatacept arms had a safety profile comparable with MTX alone. Conclusions Abatacept plus MTX demonstrated robust efficacy compared with MTX alone in early RA, with a good safety profile. The achievement of sustained remission following withdrawal of all RA therapy suggests an effect of abatacepts mechanism on autoimmune processes. Trial registration number NCT01142726.

Tolerability and efficacy of glycemic control with saxagliptin in older patients (aged ≥ 65 years) with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Purpose To assess safety and efficacy of saxagliptin in older patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Patients and methods This was a post hoc analysis of pooled data from older patients (≥65 years of age) from five 24-week phase III trials: three studies of saxagliptin versus placebo as an add-on therapy to metformin, glyburide, or a thiazolidinedione; and two studies of saxagliptin versus placebo as monotherapy in drug-naïve patients. Separate analyses were conducted on one study of initial combination therapy with saxagliptin plus metformin versus metformin monotherapy in drug-naïve patients. The safety analysis population for the five-study pool included 428 patients ≥ 65 years of age with baseline glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) 7.0% to 10.5% who received saxagliptin 2.5 or 5 mg or placebo, and for the study of initial combination therapy included 69 patients ≥ 65 years of age with baseline HbA1c 8.0% to 12.0% who received saxagliptin 5 mg in combination with metformin or metformin monotherapy. The primary efficacy endpoint was change from baseline HbA1c. Results In the five-study pool, the differences in the adjusted mean change from baseline HbA1c among older patients receiving saxagliptin versus placebo were −0.60% (95% confidence interval [CI], −0.99% to −0.21%) for saxagliptin 2.5 mg and −0.55% (−0.97% to −0.14%) for saxagliptin 5 mg; in the initial combination study, the difference was −1.22% (−2.27% to −0.17%) among older patients receiving saxagliptin 5 mg plus metformin versus metformin monotherapy. The results were generally similar in older and younger patients. Saxagliptin was well tolerated; the incidence and types of adverse events were similar for saxagliptin and comparators. Hypoglycemia was reported in 3.0% to 9.4% of patients receiving saxagliptin (0%–8.0% for comparators) and was confirmed (finger stick glucose ≤ 50 mg/dL, with associated symptoms) in 0% to 0.7% (0%–0.7% for comparators); hypoglycemic episodes did not vary by age category and did not require medical intervention. Conclusion Saxagliptin was effective and well tolerated, with a low risk of hypoglycemia, when used as monotherapy, add-on therapy, or initial combination therapy with metformin in older patients with T2DM.

Efficacy and Safety of Saxagliptin Combination Therapy in US Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract Background: The mechanism of action of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, such as saxagliptin, makes them suitable for combination therapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Genetic, cultural, and environmental differences in individuals from different regions of the world may result in differences in treatment response to oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs). This post-hoc subanalysis assessed the efficacy and safety of saxagliptin as add-on therapy to metformin, glyburide, or a thiazolidinedione in patients with inadequately controlled T2DM in the United States. Methods: In 3 phase 3 studies of patients with T2DM uncontrolled on monotherapy, 547 adult US patients were randomized to receive saxagliptin (2.5 or 5 mg/d) or placebo as add-on to metformin, glyburide, or a thiazolidinedione (pioglitazone or rosiglitazone). Efficacy was assessed as the change from baseline to week 24 in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and postprandial glucose area under the curve (PPG-AUC) and the proportion of patients achieving HbA1c < 7.0%. Pooled safety and tolerability data across trials were also analyzed. Results: Reductions from baseline to week 24 in HbA1c were observed in all saxagliptin treatment groups versus placebo: saxagliptin 2.5 or 5 mg plus metformin (mean difference from placebo, −0.87% and −0.89%, respectively), glyburide (−0.51% and −0.52%), or thiazolidinedione (−0.45% and −0.60%). Improvement was also observed in FPG and PPG-AUC. Adverse events for the US cohort were consistent with previously reported data from the 3 trials. The pooled incidence of reported hypoglycemia was 5.3% and 11.4% with saxagliptin 2.5 and 5 mg/d add-on, respectively, versus 6.8% with placebo add-on. Conclusions: This post-hoc analysis in a cohort of US patients with T2DM uncontrolled on monotherapy suggests that saxagliptin 2.5 or 5 mg as add-on therapy to OADs results in improvement across key glycemic parameters compared with placebo add-on and was generally safe and well tolerated.

Efficacy, safety, pharmacokinetics and immunogenicity of abatacept administered subcutaneously or intravenously in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis and inadequate response to methotrexate: a Phase II/III, randomized study

Abstract Objective. To evaluate efficacy and safety of subcutaneous (SC) and intravenous (IV) abatacept and background methotrexate (MTX) in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and inadequate response to MTX (MTX-IR). Methods. Double-dummy, double-blind study (NCT01001832); 118 adults with ≥ 10 swollen joints, ≥ 12 tender joints and C-reactive protein (CRP) ≥ 0.8 mg/dL randomized 1:1 to SC abatacept (125 mg weekly) with IV loading (∼10 mg/kg on Day 1), or IV abatacept (∼10 mg/kg monthly) for 169 days, both also receiving MTX (6–8 mg/week). Primary endpoint was Day 169 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)20 response; other efficacy endpoints, safety and immunogenicity were assessed. Results. Similar proportions of patients achieved ACR20 responses at Day 169 with SC (91.5% [95% CI 81.3, 97.2]) and IV abatacept (83.1% [71.0, 91.6]). ACR50/70 responses, adjusted mean changes from baseline in Health Assessment Questionnaire–Disability Index scores and remission rates (28-joint Disease Activity Score [CRP] < 2.6) were also comparable between groups. Serious adverse event frequencies (5.1% vs. 3.4%) were similar with both formulations. One patient per group tested seropositive for immunogenicity. Weekly SC abatacept dosing achieved mean serum concentrations > 10 μg/mL (minimum therapeutic target). Conclusions. SC abatacept demonstrated comparable efficacy and safety to IV abatacept, with low immunogenicity rates, in MTX-IR Japanese patients with RA.

Clinically relevant reductions in HbA1c without hypoglycaemia: results across four studies of saxagliptin

In four 24‐week controlled studies, the antihyperglycaemic efficacy of saxagliptin was demonstrated in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus as add‐on therapy to glyburide, a thiazolidinedione, or metformin, and when used in initial combination with metformin vs. metformin monotherapy in drug‐naive patients.

OP0026 Induction of Clinical Remission Followed by Drug-Free Withdrawal with Abatacept Combination and Monotherapy in Early RA: Results from the AVERT Study over 18 Months

Background AVERT (Assessing Very Early Rheumatoid arthirits Treatment) is a Phase IIIb, randomized, active-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous (SC) abatacept (ABA) in pts with early RA. Objectives To assess ABA + MTX or ABA monotherapy in inducing clinical remission at 12 mths and then maintain it following rapid withdrawal of all RA treatment (biologics, DMARDs, steroids) in pts with early RA. Methods MTX-naïve, anti-CCP2+ pts with early RA (active synovitis in ≥2 joints for ≥8 wks, DAS28 (CRP) >3.2 and onset of symptoms within ≤2 yrs) were included. Pts were randomized to 12 mths of weekly SC ABA 125 mg + MTX, ABA 125 mg monotherapy or MTX alone. Pts with DAS28 (CRP) <3.2 at Mth 12 entered a 12-mth withdrawal period with no treatment. All pts with protocol-defined flare after Mth 15 could receive open-label ABA + MTX. The co-primary endpoints compared ABA + MTX and MTX alone in pts achieving DAS28 (CRP) <2.6 at (1) 12 mths and (2) both 12 and 18 mths. ABA monotherapy was also assessed. Results 351 pts (n=119, 116 and 116 pts in the ABA + MTX, ABA and MTX arms, respectively) with early RA, highly active disease and poor prognosis (at baseline: mean RA duration of 0.56 yrs, mean DAS28 (CRP) of 5.4, mean HAQ of 1.4; 95.2% RF+ and anti-CCP2+) entered the study. At 12 mths, 60.9, 42.5 and 45.2% achieved DAS28 (CRP) <2.6 (ABA + MTX, ABA and MTX, respectively). Odds ratio (OR; 95% CI) for ABA + MTX vs MTX: 2.01 (1.18, 3.43) with p=0.01 and for ABA vs MTX: 0.92 (0.55, 1.57). At most time points, efficacy on signs and symptoms in the ABA monotherapy arm fell between the ABA + MTX and MTX arms (Figure) based on DAS28 (CRP) as well as other measures. Following treatment withdrawal, most pts discontinued due to increase in disease activity (177/223; 79.4%). Rates of pts achieving DAS28 (CRP) <2.6 at both 12 and 18 mths were 14.8, 12.4 and 7.8% for ABA + MTX, ABA and MTX, respectively; OR (95% CI) for ABA + MTX vs MTX: 2.51 (1.02, 6.18), p=0.045 and for ABA vs MTX: 2.04 (0.81, 5.14). In a post hoc analysis, pts who maintained DAS28 (CRP) <2.6 at both Mth 12 and 18 tended to have numerically lower baseline mean symptom duration, DAS28 (CRP), HAQ score and DAS28 (CRP) <2.6 over time during the treatment period compared with pts who achieved only DAS28 (CRP) <2.6 at 12 mths. Over 12 mths of treatment, the number (%) of serious adverse events was 8 (6.7), 14 (12.1) and 9 (7.8) and the number (%) of serious infections was 1 (0.8), 4 (3.4) and 0 in the ABA + MTX, ABA and MTX arms, respectively. Conclusions In this study, in pts with highly active early RA with poor prognosis, abatacept + MTX resulted in significantly higher rates of remission and comparable safety vs MTX alone at 12 mths. At most time points, abatacept monotherapy was more effective than MTX alone. A small but significantly higher number of patients treated with abatacept + MTX were able to maintain drug-free remission compared to MTX. Disclosure of Interest P. Emery Grant/research support: AbbVie, BMS, Merck, Pfizer, Roche, Consultant for: AbbVie, BMS, Merck, Pfizer, Roche, Takeda, G. Burmester Grant/research support: BMS, AbbVie, Pfizer, Medimmune, Novartis, Roche, UCB, Lilly, Consultant for: BMS, AbbVie, Pfizer, MSD, Medimmune, Roche, UCB, Speakers bureau: BMS, AbbVie, Pfizer, MSD, Roche, UCB, V. Bykerk Grant/research support: Amgen, Pfizer, BMS, Janssen, UCB, Roche/Genentech, B. Combe Grant/research support: Pfizer, Roche-Chugai, Speakers bureau: BMS, Merck, Pfizer, Roche-Chugai, UCB, D. Furst Grant/research support: AbbVie, Actelion, Amgen, BMS, Gilead, GSK, NIH, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche/Genentech, UCB, Consultant for: AbbVie, Actelion, Amgen, BMS, Janssen, Gilead, GSK, NIH, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche/Genentech, UCB, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Actelion, UCB, E. Barre Employee of: BMS, C. Karyekar Employee of: BMS, D. Wong Employee of: BMS, T. Huizinga Grant/research support: EU & Dutch Arthritis Foundation, Consultant for: Abbott Laboratories, Biotest AG, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Crescendo Bioscience, Inc, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Pfizer Inc, Roche, sanofi-aventis, Schering-Plough, UCB, Inc., Eli Lilly, Speakers bureau: Abbott Laboratories, Biotest AG, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Pfizer Inc, Roche, sanofi-aventis, Schering-Plough DOI 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.2132

Long-term safety and efficacy of treatment with subcutaneous abatacept in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis who are methotrexate inadequate responders.

Abstract Objective. To assess the long-term safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of subcutaneous (SC) abatacept in combination with methotrexate (MTX) in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis who were MTX inadequate responders, in a long-term extension (LTE) to a double-dummy, double-blind study (NCT01001832). Methods. Patients, who had previously received SC or intravenous (IV) abatacept with MTX (6–8 mg/week) for 24 weeks, received SC abatacept (125 mg/week) with MTX for an additional 52 weeks. Safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy were assessed. Results. The LTE included 112 patients. SC abatacept was generally well tolerated in the LTE, with no new safety signals. American College of Rheumatology 20, 50, and 70 response rates, disease activity score 28 (C-reactive protein) remission rates (< 2.6), and Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index response rates (≥ 0.3 improvement from baseline) achieved at the end of the double-blind period were maintained over the LTE and were comparable in patients who received SC or IV abatacept in the double-blind period. Seropositivity for immunogenicity occurred in 4 (3.6%) patients. Self-injection of SC abatacept was well controlled and not associated with additional safety events. Conclusions. SC abatacept had acceptable safety and was well tolerated and effective over the LTE (76 weeks in total), with low rates of immunogenicity in Japanese patients.