Chudy I. Nduaka

Safety and Efficacy of Tofacitinib, an Oral Janus Kinase Inhibitor, for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Open-label, Longterm Extension Studies

Objective. To describe the longterm safety and efficacy profile of tofacitinib in patients with moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods. Data were pooled from 2 open-label studies (NCT00413699, NCT00661661) involving patients who had participated in qualifying phase I, II, or III index studies of tofacitinib. Safety data included over 60 months of observation; efficacy data are reported up to Month 48. Treatment was initiated with tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg twice daily. Primary endpoints were adverse events (AE) and laboratory safety data. Secondary endpoints included American College of Rheumatology (ACR) response rates, and Disease Activity Score (28 joints) (DAS28)-4[erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)] and Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) assessments. Results. Overall, 4102 patients were treated for 5963 patient-years; mean (maximum) treatment duration was 531 (1844) days; 20.8% of patients discontinued treatment over 60 months. The most common AE were nasopharyngitis (12.7%) and upper respiratory tract infection (10.5%). Serious AE were reported in 15.4% of patients with an exposure-estimated incidence rate of 11.1 events/100 patient-years. Serious infections were reported in 4.5% of patients with an exposure-estimated incidence rate of 3.1 events/100 patient-years (95% CI: 2.66–3.55). Mean values for laboratory variables were stable over time and consistent with phase II and III studies. Persistent efficacy was demonstrated through Month 48, as measured by ACR response rate (ACR20/50/70) DAS28-4-ESR, and HAQ-DI. Safety and efficacy were similar for patients receiving tofacitinib as monotherapy or with background nonbiologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Conclusion. Tofacitinib demonstrated consistent safety and persistent efficacy over 48 months in patients with RA.

Dose-ranging evaluation of intravitreal siRNA PF-04523655 for diabetic macular edema (the DEGAS study).

PURPOSE To evaluate the safety and efficacy of three doses of PF-04523655, a 19-nucleotide methylated double stranded siRNA targeting the RTP801 gene, for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) compared to focal/grid laser photocoagulation. METHODS This multicenter, prospective, masked, randomized, active-controlled, phase 2 interventional clinical trial enrolled 184 DME patients with best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/40 to 20/320 inclusive in the study eye. Patients were randomly assigned to 0.4-mg, 1-mg, 3-mg PF-04523655 intravitreal injections or laser. The main outcome measure was the change in BCVA from baseline to month 12. RESULTS All doses of PF-04523655 improved BCVA from baseline through month 12. At month 12, the PF-04523655 3-mg group showed a trend for greater improvement in BCVA from baseline than laser (respectively 5.77 vs. 2.39 letters; P = 0.08; 2-sided α = 0.10). The study was terminated early at month 12 based on predetermined futility criteria for efficacy and discontinuation rates. PF-04523655 was generally safe and well-tolerated, with few adverse events considered treatment-related. By month 12, the discontinuation rates in the PF-04523655 groups were higher than the laser group and were inversely related to dose levels. CONCLUSIONS PF-04523655 showed a dose-related tendency for improvement in BCVA in DME patients. Studies of higher doses are planned to determine the optimal efficacious dose of PF-04523655. PF-04523655 may offer a new mode of therapeutic action in the management of DME. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00701181.).

Evaluation of the siRNA PF-04523655 versus Ranibizumab for the Treatment of Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration (MONET Study)

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of different dosing paradigms of PF-04523655 (PF) versus ranibizumab (comparator) in subjects with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). DESIGN Multicenter, open-label, prospective, randomized, comparator-controlled exploratory study. PARTICIPANTS A total of 151 patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to neovascular AMD who were naive to AMD therapy. METHODS In this phase 2 study, patients were randomized to 1 of 5 treatment groups with equal ratio. All groups received ranibizumab 0.5 mg at baseline and (a) PF 1 mg every 4 weeks (Q4W) from week 4 to week 12; (b) PF 3 mg Q4W from week 4 to week 12; (c) PF 3 mg every 2 weeks (Q2W) from week 4 to week 12; (d) PF 1 mg + ranibizumab (combination) Q4W from baseline to week 12; and (e) ranibizumab Q4W to week 12. All study treatments were given as intravitreal injections. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary end point was the mean change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from baseline at week 16; secondary end points included the percentage of patients gaining ≥ 10 and ≥ 15 letters in BCVA and mean change in retinal central subfield thickness, lesion thickness, and CNV area. RESULTS At week 16, the PF 1 mg + ranibizumab combination group achieved numerically greater improvement in mean BCVA from baseline (9.5 letters) than the ranibizumab group (6.8 letters). The difference was not statistically significant. The BCVA improvement in the PF monotherapy groups was less than in the ranibizumab group. Similar trends were observed in the percentage of patients who gained ≥ 10 and ≥ 15 letters. From baseline to week 16 (last observed carried forward), the combination and ranibizumab groups had similar mean reductions in central subfield retinal thickness and total CNV area, which were greater than in all PF monotherapy groups. There were no clinically meaningful differences in reduction of lesion thickness among treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS In this early, underpowered study evaluating treatments for neovascular AMD, the combination of PF with ranibizumab led to an average gain in BCVA that was more than with ranibizumab monotherapy. No safety concerns were identified.

THU0179 Tofacitinib, an Oral Janus Kinase Inhibitor, for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Safety and Efficacy in Open-label, Long-term Extension up to 6 Years

Background Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Objectives To report tofacitinib safety, tolerability, and durability of response up to 72 months (mo) in long-term extension (LTE) studies. Methods Data were from 2, open-label studies: A3921024 (NCT00413699 [ongoing; database unlocked as of April 2014 data cut-off]) and A3921041 (NCT00661661). Patients (pts) had RA and participated in randomised Phases (P)1/2/3 tofacitinib studies. Treatment was initiated with tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg BID as monotherapy or with background DMARDs; data for both doses ± background DMARDs were pooled. Primary endpoints: AEs and laboratory safety. Confirmed data are reported for decreased haemoglobin (HgB), neutrophil, and lymphocyte counts, and increases >50% from baseline (BL) in creatinine. Secondary endpoints: ACR responses, DAS28-4(ESR), and HAQ-DI. Safety data were included over 84 mo and efficacy up to Mo 72 (n≤29 pts, post-Mo 72). Results 4858 pts were treated (mean [max] duration: 918 [2535] days). BL data were from index studies for 91% of pts. Total tofacitinib exposure was 12 359 pt-years (py). In total, 1747 pts (36.0%) discontinued (AEs: 882 [18.2%]; insufficient clinical response: 133 [2.7%]). Most common classes of AEs: infections and infestations (63.4%), musculoskeletal/connective tissue disorders (33.9%), and GI disorders (29.9%). Most frequently reported AEs: nasopharyngitis (16.3%), upper respiratory tract infection (14.5%), and urinary tract infection (10.3%). SAEs occurred in 23.0% of pts (incidence rate [IR] 9.9/100 py [95% confidence interval [CI]; 9.4, 10.5]) and serious infections in 7.2% (IR 2.9/100 py [95% CI; 2.6, 3.2]). Malignancies (excluding NMSC) were reported in 2.5% of pts (IR 1.0/100 py [95% CI; 0.8, 1.2]). IRs for SAEs, serious infections, and malignancies up to Mo 84 did not increase vs previously reported data (Mo 72).1 Decreased Hgb (>2g/dL change from BL or Hgb <8 g/dL) occurred in 6.1% of pts and increased aminotransferases (>3× ULN) in 1.6% (ALT) and <1.0% (AST) of pts. Moderate to severe neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count [ANC] 0.5–1.5×103/mm3) was reported in 1.3% of pts. No pts had ANC <0.5×103/mm3. Absolute lymphocyte counts <0.5×103/mm3 were reported in 1.1% of pts. Increases >50% from BL in creatinine occurred in 3.1% of pts. ACR20, ACR50 and ACR70 response rates for tofacitinib were sustained to Mo 72 (80.8%, 61.5% and 35.9%). Mean DAS28-4(ESR) was 6.29 at BL, 3.74 at LTE Mo 1 and 3.32 at Mo 72. Mean HAQ-DI score was 1.42 at BL, 0.81 at LTE Mo 1 and 0.77 at Mo 72. Conclusions A consistent safety profile and sustained efficacy up to 72 mo was observed in pts with RA receiving tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg BID in LTE studies. References Wollenhaupt J et al. J Rheumatol 2014; 41: 837-852 Acknowledgements Previously presented (Wollenhaupt J et al. Arthritis Rheum 2014; 66 (11): S375 abs 849) and reproduced with permission from Arthritis and Rheumatism. All aspects of this study were funded by Pfizer Inc. Editorial support was provided by Claire Cridland of Complete Medical Communications and funded by Pfizer Inc. Disclosure of Interest J. Wollenhaupt Consultant for: Pfizer Inc, Speakers bureau: Pfizer Inc (speaker fees), J. Silverfield Grant/research support from: Pfizer Inc, Speakers bureau: Pfizer Inc (speaker fees), E. B. Lee Consultant for: Pfizer Inc, S. P. Wood Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc, K. Terry Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc, H. Nakamura Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc, K. Kwok Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc, A. Anisfeld Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc, C. Nduaka Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc, L. Wang Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc

Herpes Zoster and Tofacitinib: Clinical Outcomes and the Risk of Concomitant Therapy

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk of herpes zoster (HZ), and the risk appears to be increased in patients treated with tofacitinib. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether concomitant treatment with conventional synthetic disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) or glucocorticoids (GCs) contributes to the increased risk of HZ in RA patients treated with tofacitinib.

Analysis of haematological changes in tofacitinib-treated patients with rheumatoid arthritis across phase 3 and long-term extension studies

Objectives. Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of RA. The aim of this analysis was to characterize changes in haematological parameters following tofacitinib treatment, and to compare changes in haemoglobin with markers of disease activity, fatigue and vitality. Methods. Changes in neutrophil counts, lymphocyte counts and haemoglobin levels were analysed in patients with RA from six phase 3 randomized controlled trials (n = 4271) of tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg bd, placebo or active comparators of up to 24 months’ duration, and two long-term extension (LTE) studies (n = 4858) of tofacitinib of up to 84 months’ duration. Disease activity markers included CRP and ESR. Fatigue and vitality were assessed using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F) and Short Form Health Survey-36 vitality domain scores. Results. In phase 3 studies, mean neutrophil and lymphocyte counts decreased and mean haemoglobin levels increased in all tofacitinib treatment groups. Haemoglobin levels and neutrophil counts stabilized in the LTE studies, while lymphocyte count decreases stabilized at approximately month 48. Increased haemoglobin was associated with decreased ESR and CRP levels. Clinically meaningful reductions in haemoglobin levels (⩾3 g/dl from baseline or haemoglobin ⩽7 g/dl) occurred in <1.0% of patients in all treatment groups. FACIT-F and Short Form Health Survey-36 vitality scores were weakly correlated with haemoglobin levels. Conclusion. Small changes in haematological parameters were seen with tofacitinib treatment, which stabilized over time in the LTE studies. Changes in haemoglobin levels, although associated with changes in ESR and CRP, were not associated with fatigue or vitality.

The Safety and Immunogenicity of Live Zoster Vaccination in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Before Starting Tofacitinib: A Randomized Phase II Trial

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk of herpes zoster, and vaccination is recommended for patients ages 50 years and older, prior to starting treatment with biologic agents or tofacitinib. Tofacitinib is an oral JAK inhibitor for the treatment of RA. We evaluated its effect on the immune response and safety of live zoster vaccine (LZV).

The Safety and Immunogenicity of Live Zoster Vaccination in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Before Starting Tofacitinib: A Randomized Phase II Trial

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk of herpes zoster, and vaccination is recommended for patients ages 50 years and older, prior to starting treatment with biologic agents or tofacitinib. Tofacitinib is an oral JAK inhibitor for the treatment of RA. We evaluated its effect on the immune response and safety of live zoster vaccine (LZV).

Herpes Zoster Infection in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis Receiving Tofacitinib

Abstract Background Tofacitinib is an oral, small molecule Janus kinase inhibitor that is being investigated for ulcerative colitis (UC). Tofacitinib is approved for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, where it has been shown to increase herpes zoster (HZ) risk. We evaluated HZ risk among UC patients using tofacitinib. Methods HZ cases were identified in tofacitinib phase II/III/ongoing, open-label, long-term extension (OLE) UC trials. We calculated HZ incidence rates (IRs) per 100 patient-years of tofacitinib exposure within phase III maintenance (Maintenance Cohort) and phase II/III/OLE (Overall Cohort) studies, stratified by baseline demographics and other factors. HZ risk factors were evaluated in the Overall Cohort using Cox proportional hazard models. Results Overall, 65 (5.6%) patients developed HZ. Eleven patients had multidermatomal involvement (2 nonadjacent or 3–6 adjacent dermatomes), and 1 developed encephalitis (resolved upon standard treatment). Five (7.7%) events led to treatment discontinuation. HZ IR (95% confidence interval [CI]) in the Overall Cohort was 4.07 (3.14–5.19) over a mean (range) of 509.1 (1–1606) days, with no increased risk observed with increasing tofacitinib exposure. IRs (95% CI) were highest in patients age ≥65 years, 9.55 (4.77–17.08); Asian patients, 6.49 (3.55–10.89); patients with prior tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) failure, 5.38 (3.86–7.29); and patients using tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily, 4.25 (3.18–5.56). Multivariate analysis identified older age and prior TNFi failure as independent risk factors. Conclusions In tofacitinib-treated UC patients, there was an elevated risk of HZ, although complicated HZ was infrequent. Increased HZ rates occurred in patients who were older, Asian, or had prior TNFi failure (NCT00787202, NCT01465763, NCT01458951, NCT01458574, NCT01470612).

Model-Informed Development and Registration of a Once-Daily Regimen of Extended-Release Tofacitinib

Extended‐release (XR) formulations enable less frequent dosing vs. conventional (e.g., immediate release (IR)) formulations. Regulatory registration of such formulations typically requires pharmacokinetic (PK) and clinical efficacy data. Here we illustrate a model‐informed, exposure–response (E‐R) approach to translate controlled trial data from one formulation to another without a phase III trial, using a tofacitinib case study. Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). E‐R analyses were conducted using validated clinical endpoints from phase II dose–response and nonclinical dose fractionation studies of the IR formulation. Consistent with the delay in clinical response dynamics relative to PK, average concentration was established as the relevant PK parameter for tofacitinib efficacy and supported pharmacodynamic similarity. These evaluations, alongside demonstrated equivalence in total systemic exposure between IR and XR formulations, provided the basis for the regulatory approval of tofacitinib XR once daily by the US Food and Drug Administration.