Ricardo Rojo

Efficacy and Safety of Azithromycin-Chloroquine versus Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine for Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Plasmodium falciparum Malaria Infection in Pregnant Women in Africa: An Open-Label, Randomized Trial

Background The World Health Organization recommends intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) in African regions with moderate to high malaria transmission. However, growing resistance to SP threatens the effectiveness of IPTp-SP, and alternative drugs are needed. This study tested the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of a fixed-dose combination azithromycin-chloroquine (AZCQ; 250 mg AZ/155 mg CQ base) for IPTp relative to IPTp-SP. Methods and Findings A randomized, Phase 3, open-label, multi-center study was conducted in sub-Saharan Africa (Benin, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, and Uganda) between October 2010 and November 2013. Pregnant women received 3 IPTp courses with AZCQ (each course: 1,000/620 mg AZCQ QD for 3 days) or SP (each course 1,500/75 mg SP QD for 1 day) at 4- to 8-week intervals during the second and third trimester. Long-lasting insecticide-treated bednets were also provided at enrollment. Study participants were followed up until day 28 post delivery (time window: day 28–42). The primary endpoint was the proportion of participants with sub-optimal pregnancy outcomes (a composite endpoint comprising live-borne neonates with low birth weight [LBW, <2,500 g], premature birth [<37 weeks], still birth [>28 weeks], abortion [≤28 weeks], lost to follow-up prior to observation of pregnancy outcome, or missing birth weight). The study was terminated early after recruitment of 2,891 of the planned 5,044 participants, due to futility observed in a pre-specified 35% interim analysis. In the final intent-to-treat dataset, 378/1,445 (26.2%) participants in the AZCQ and 342/1,445 (23.7%) in the SP group had sub-optimal pregnancy outcomes, with an estimated risk ratio (RR) of 1.11 (95% CI: 0.97, 1.25; p = 0.12). There was no significant difference in the incidence of LBW between treatment groups (57/1138 [5.0%] in the AZCQ group, 68/1188 [5.7%] in the SP group, RR 0.87 [95% CI: 0.62, 1.23]; p = 0.44). IPTp-AZCQ was less well-tolerated in mothers than IPTp-SP. Occurrences of congenital anomalies, deaths, and serious adverse events were comparable in neonates for both groups. Limitations included the open-label design and early study termination. Conclusions IPTp-AZCQ was not superior to IPTp-SP in this study and alternatives for IPTp-SP remain to be identified. The proportions of sub-optimal pregnancy outcomes and LBW were lower than expected, which may be linked to insecticide-treated bednet use throughout the study. Reduced incidences of symptomatic malaria infection and peripheral parasitemia in the AZCQ group relative to SP suggest that AZCQ warrants further investigation as an alternative treatment of uncomplicated malaria. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01103063).

Tofacitinib, an oral Janus kinase inhibitor, for the treatment of Latin American patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Pooled efficacy and safety analyses of Phase 3 and long-term extension studies

OBJECTIVE Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We assessed tofacitinib efficacy and safety in the Latin American (LA) subpopulation of global Phase 3 and long-term extension (LTE) studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data from LA patients with RA and inadequate response to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) were pooled across five Phase 3 studies. Phase 3 patients received tofacitinib 5 or 10mg twice daily (BID), adalimumab or placebo; patients in the single LTE study received tofacitinib 5 or 10mg BID; treatments were administered alone or with conventional synthetic DMARDs. Efficacy was reported up to 12 months (Phase 3) and 36 months (LTE) by American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20/50/70 response rates, Disease Activity Score (DAS)28-4(erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR]) and Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI). Incidence rates (IRs; patients with event/100 patient-years) of adverse events (AEs) of special interest were reported. RESULTS The Phase 3 studies randomized 496 LA patients; the LTE study enrolled 756 LA patients from Phase 2 and Phase 3. In the Phase 3 studies, patients who received tofacitinib 5 and 10mg BID showed improvements vs placebo at Month 3 in ACR20 (68.9% and 75.7% vs 35.6%), ACR50 (45.8% and 49.7% vs 20.7%) and ACR70 (17.5% and 23.1% vs 6.9%) responses, mean change from baseline in HAQ-DI (-0.6 and -0.8 vs -0.3) and DAS28-4(ESR) score (-2.3 and -2.4 vs -1.4). The improvements were sustained up to Month 36 in the LTE study. In the Phase 3 studies, IRs with tofacitinib 5 and 10mg BID and placebo were 7.99, 6.57 and 9.84, respectively, for SAEs, and 3.87, 5.28 and 3.26 for discontinuation due to AEs. IRs of AEs of special interest in tofacitinib-treated LA patients were similar to the global population. CONCLUSION In Phase 3 and LTE studies in LA patients with RA, tofacitinib demonstrated efficacy up to 36 months with a manageable safety profile up to 60 months, consistent with the overall tofacitinib study population.

SAT0221 Efficacy and Safety of PF-04171327, a Novel Dissociated Agonist of the Glucocorticoid Receptor (DAGR): Results of a Phase 2, Randomized, Double-Blind Study

Background Glucocorticoids (GC) are widely used to treat rheumatic and other diseases, but adverse effects limit their full potential. Improvement of their benefit-risk ratio represents both a current need and an ongoing challenge. One promising option includes dissociated agonists of the glucocorticoid receptor (DAGR) with the efficacy of higher dose GCs and the safety profile of lower dose GCs. Objectives PF-04171327, a DAGR, represents a first-in-class compound under investigation for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The aim was to test the above hypothesis that this novel drug preferentially exerts transrepression mediated effects thereby inducing potent therapeutic activity with reduced adverse effects. Methods 323 adult patients with active RA (≥6 TJC and 6 SJC plus CRP ≥0.7 mg/dL) receiving MTX were randomized to receive DAGR 1, 5, 10 or 15 mg, prednisone (pred) 5 or 10 mg, or placebo (PBO) QD for 8 weeks followed by a 4-week taper period, and an ACTH stimulation test at Week 13. Use of GCs within 6 weeks of screening was prohibited. Efficacy analyses included characterization of dose-response at Week 8 for primary and secondary efficacy endpoints: ACR20 and DAS28-4(CRP). Effects on bone formation (P1NP, osteocalcin) and resorption (uNTX/uCr, sCTX) biomarkers, fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c were assessed for safety in addition to AEs and laboratory tests. Results Based on ACR20 responses, DAGR 10 and 15 mg QD were superior (by 20% with 80% confidence) to PBO; and DAGR 15 mg QD was non-inferior (by a margin of 5% with 80% confidence) to pred 10 mg QD. DAS28-4(CRP) results were consistent with ACR20 responses. 1, 5, 10 and 15 mg QD doses of DAGR were comparable to pred 5mg QD in bone formation; with small decreases in HbA1c in these predominantly non-diabetes patients. No clear trends or dose-response were seen in bone resorption markers. Prompt HPA axis recovery was evident at Week 13 in all patients. All DAGR doses were well-tolerated (comparable to PBO and pred doses), with no safety signal identified. Conclusions The aggregate efficacy analysis demonstrated that both DAGR 10 and 15 mg QD have efficacy superior to PBO and comparable to pred 10 mg QD, with bone and glucose effects comparable to pred 5 mg QD. All DAGR doses were safe and well-tolerated. This 8-week RCT provides first clinical evidence to demonstrate that PF-04171327 increases the transrepression/transactivation ratio, thereby improving the GC benefit-risk ratio compared with prednisone in RA patients. Disclosure of Interest F. Buttgereit Grant/research support from: Pfizer, V. Strand Consultant for: Pfizer, E. Lee Grant/research support from: Pfizer, D. McCabe Employee of: Pfizer, S. Kolluri Employee of: Pfizer, B. Tammara Employee of: Pfizer, R. Rojo Employee of: Pfizer, J. Hey-Hadavi Employee of: Pfizer

Multiple-level stakeholder engagement in malaria clinical trials: addressing the challenges of conducting clinical research in resource-limited settings

BackgroundMultinational clinical trials are logistically complex and require close coordination between various stakeholders. They must comply with global clinical standards and are accountable to multiple regulatory and ethical bodies. In resource-limited settings, it is challenging to understand how to apply global clinical standards to international, national, and local factors in clinical trials, making multiple-level stakeholder engagement an important element in the successful conduct of these clinical trials.Main bodyDuring the planning and implementation of a large multinational clinical trial for intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy in resource-limited areas of sub-Saharan Africa, we encountered numerous challenges, which required implementation of a range of engagement measures to ensure compliance with global clinical and regulatory standards. These challenges included coordination with ongoing global malaria efforts, heterogeneity in national regulatory structures, sub-optimal healthcare infrastructure, local practices and beliefs, and perspectives that view healthcare providers with undue trust or suspicion.In addition to engagement with international bodies, such as the World Health Organization, the Malaria in Pregnancy Consortium, the Steve Biko Centre for Bioethics, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, in order to address the challenges just described, Pfizer Inc. and Medicines for Malaria Venture (the “Sponsoring Entities” for these studies) and investigators liaised with national- and district-level stakeholders such as health ministers and regional/local community health workers. Community engagement measures undertaken by investigators included local meetings with community leaders to explain the research aims and answer questions and concerns voiced by the community. The investigators also engaged with family members of prospective trial participants in order to be sensitive to local practices and beliefs.ConclusionEngagement with key stakeholders at international and national levels enabled the Sponsoring Entities to address challenges by aligning the study design with the requirements of health and regulatory agencies and to understand and address healthcare infrastructure needs prior to trial initiation. Local stakeholder engagement, including community members, study participants, and family enabled the investigators to address challenges by ensuring that study design and conduct were adapted to local considerations and ensuring accurate information about the study aims was shared with the public.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT01103063. Registered on 7 April 2010.

Safety of Tofacitinib in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Latin America Compared With the Rest of the World Population.

Objective Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, autoimmune disease characterized by joint destruction. Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of RA. This post hoc analysis assessed the safety of tofacitinib in Latin American (LA) patients with RA versus the Rest of World (RoW) population. Methods Data were pooled from 14 clinical studies of tofacitinib: six Phase 2, six Phase 3 and two long-term extension studies. Incidence rates (IRs; patients with events/100 patient-years of treatment exposure) were calculated for safety events of special interest combined across tofacitinib doses. 95% confidence intervals (CI) for IRs were calculated using the maximum likelihood method. Descriptive comparisons were made between LA and RoW (excluding LA) populations. Results This analysis included data from 984 LA patients and 4687 RoW patients. IRs for safety events of special interest were generally similar between LA and RoW populations, with overlapping 95% CIs. IRs for discontinuation due to adverse events, serious infections, tuberculosis, all herpes zoster (HZ), serious HZ, malignancies (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) and major adverse cardiovascular events were numerically lower for LA versus RoW patients; IR for mortality was numerically higher. No lymphoma was reported in the LA population versus eight cases in the RoW population. Exposure (extent and length) was lower in the LA population (2148.33 patient-years [mean = 2.18 years]) versus RoW (10515.68 patient-years [mean = 2.24 years]). Conclusion This analysis of pooled data from clinical studies of tofacitinib in patients with RA demonstrates that tofacitinib has a consistent safety profile across LA and RoW patient populations.

Dissociated Agonist of Glucocorticoid Receptor or Prednisone for Active Rheumatoid Arthritis: Effects on P1NP and Osteocalcin Pharmacodynamics

Fosdagrocorat (PF‐04171327), a dissociated agonist of the glucocorticoid receptor, has potent anti‐inflammatory activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis with reduced adverse effects on bone health. To identify fosdagrocorat doses with bone formation marker changes similar to prednisone 5 mg, we characterized treatment‐related changes in amino‐terminal propeptide of type I collagen (P1NP) and osteocalcin (OC) with fosdagrocorat (1, 5, 10, or 15 mg) and prednisone (5 or 10 mg) in a phase II randomized trial (N = 323). The time course of markers utilized a mixed‐effects longitudinal kinetic‐pharmacodynamic model. Median predicted changes from baseline at week 8 with fosdagrocorat 5, 10, and 15 mg were −18, −22, and −22% (P1NP), and −7, −13, and −17% (OC), respectively. Changes with prednisone 5 and 10 mg were −15% and −18% (P1NP) and −10% and −17% (OC). The probability of fosdagrocorat doses up to 15 mg being noninferior to prednisone 5 mg for P1NP and OC changes was >90%.

SAT0439 Integrated safety summary of tofacitinib in psoriatic arthritis clinical studies

Background Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor under investigation for psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Objectives To describe the safety profile of tofacitinib from integrated Phase (P)3 and long-term extension (LTE) studies. Methods Data were analysed for patients (pts) who received ≥1 dose of tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg BID or placebo (PBO), integrated across 2 P3 studies (OPAL Broaden [12 months; NCT01877668]; OPAL Beyond [6 months; NCT01882439]) and 1 LTE study (OPAL Balance [ongoing, database not locked; NCT01976364]). Common adverse events (AEs; occurring in ≥2% of tofacitinib pts in any group) were analysed in the PBO-controlled portion (Months 0–3) of the P3 studies (Cohort 1 [C1]). Serious AEs (SAEs) and discontinuations due to AEs were analysed over 12 months in pts randomised to tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg BID in P3 studies (Cohort 2a [C2a]); pts randomised to PBO were excluded from this analysis. Deaths and AEs of special interest (serious infections [SI], herpes zoster [HZ], opportunistic infections [OI] including HZ, major adverse cardiac events [MACE], malignancies, non-melanoma skin cancer [NMSC]) were evaluated in all tofacitinib-treated pts in the P3 and LTE studies (Cohort 3 [C3]). Incidence rates (IR; pts with events/100 pt-years [PY] and 95% confidence intervals) are reported. Laboratory results will be reported in future publications. Results C1 included 474 tofacitinib- and 236 PBO-treated pts; C2a included 474 tofacitinib-treated pts; and C3 included 783 tofacitinib-treated pts (exposure: 776 PY). Nasopharyngitis (5.9%) and headache (8.5%) were the most commonly reported AEs at Month 3 in pts receiving tofacitinib 5 and 10 mg BID, respectively (Table). In pts randomised to tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg BID, over 12 months (C2a), the IRs for SAEs were 7.92 (4.09, 13.84) and 8.11 (4.19, 14.17), respectively. Discontinuation due to AEs occurred in 11 (4.6%) and 11 (4.7%) pts randomised to tofacitinib 5 and 10 mg BID, respectively, with IRs of 7.16 (3.58, 12.82) and 7.31 (3.65, 13.08), respectively, over 12 months (C2a). Across all tofacitinib-treated pts in the P3 and LTE studies (C3), SIs occurred in 11 pts (1.4%; IR 1.40 [0.70, 2.50]). HZ was reported in 16 pts (2.0%; IR 2.05 [1.17, 3.33]) receiving tofacitinib. All 3 cases of multidermatomal HZ were adjudicated as OIs; these were the only OIs (0.4%; IR 0.38 [0.08, 1.11]). In C3, 2 deaths occurred (0.3%; IR 0.25 [0.03, 0.91]); all were considered unrelated to the study drug. MACE were reported in 3 pts (0.4%; IR 0.38 [0.08, 1.11]), malignancies (excluding NMSC) in 5 pts (0.6%; IR 0.63 [0.21, 1.48]) and NMSC in 4 pts (0.5%; IR 0.51 [0.14, 1.30]). Conclusions Tofacitinib was well tolerated in pts with PsA, with a safety profile consistent to that seen in RA; no new risks were identified. Longer-term follow-up and larger pt populations will provide further information on the safety profile of tofacitinib in pts with PsA. Acknowledgements These studies were sponsored by Pfizer Inc. Editorial support was provided by C Viegelmann of CMC and was funded by Pfizer Inc. Disclosure of Interest G. Burmester Grant/research support from: UCB, Consultant for: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Hexal, Janssen, MSD, MedImmune, Novartis, Pfizer Inc, Sanofi, Roche, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Hexal, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer Inc, Roche, O. FitzGerald Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Consultant for: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Pfizer Inc, Speakers bureau: Celgene, Janssen, Novartis, K. Winthrop Grant/research support from: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pfizer Inc, Consultant for: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Pfizer Inc, UCB, G. Williams Consultant for: Pfizer Inc, V. Azevedo Grant/research support from: Bristol-Myers Squibb, GSK, Pfizer Inc, UCB, Consultant for: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Janssen, Merck Novartis, Pfizer Inc, Serono, W. F. Rigby Grant/research support from: Amgen, Pfizer Inc, Roche, Consultant for: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Pfizer Inc, Roche, K. Kanik Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc, C. Wang Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc, P. Biswas Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc, T. Jones Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc, S. Menon Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc, N. Palmetto Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc, R. Rojo Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc

Parasitological Clearance Rates and Drug Concentrations of a Fixed Dose Combination of Azithromycin-Chloroquine in Asymptomatic Pregnant Women with Plasmodium Falciparum Parasitemia: An Open-Label, Non-Comparative Study in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Background Malaria remains one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in pregnant women and their newborn babies in sub-Saharan Africa. Intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to reduce the burden of disease and improve maternal and neonatal survival and general health. Due to the growing resistance to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP), the current WHO-recommended drug for IPTp, identification of new and effective drugs is an urgent priority. Methods and Findings This was an open-label, non-comparative study (NCT01103713) in 5 countries in East and sub-Saharan Africa (Benin, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, and Uganda) to assess parasitological response and drug concentrations of a single, 3-day course of four tablets of a fixed-dose combination of azithromycin-chloroquine (AZCQ) 250/155 mg given during the second or third trimester to women with asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum parasitemia in their first or second pregnancy. Parasitemia was determined by microscopy and molecular genotyping was performed to characterize parasites relative to the baseline infection. Weekly follow-up visits took place until day 42 after first dose and additional follow-up occurred after delivery. Systemic concentrations of azithromycin (AZ), chloroquine (CQ), and the CQ metabolite, desethyl CQ (DECQ) were evaluated at Day 0 (pre-dose), at Day 2 (pre-dose, 2 and 8 hours) and randomly at Days 7 and 14. Systemic concentrations of CQ and DECQ were also measured randomly at Day 21 and Day 28. In total, 404 women were screened for eligibility and 168 were treated, 155 of whom completed the study. PCR-adjusted parasitological response in the modified intent-to-treat population at day 28 (the primary efficacy endpoint) was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method as 99.35% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 97.76, 100.00). PCR-adjusted parasitological response remained high at day 42 (95.19%; 95% CI: 91.35, 99.03). In general, the mean concentrations of serum AZ, plasma CQ, and plasma DECQ showed large CV% values (ranges of 33–156%, 42–228%, and 57–109%, respectively). There were 157 live births, three stillbirths, and eight pregnancies of unknown outcome: 7 due to withdrawal of participant consent and 1 lost to follow-up. The most frequent treatment-emergent adverse events were vomiting (20.8%) and dizziness (19.6%). Conclusions These results suggest that a 3-day course of AZCQ can lead to an adequate 28-day parasitological response.

Safety signal detection and evaluation in clinical development programs: A case study of tofacitinib

Adverse events are anticipated during a clinical development program. Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We describe here the process undertaken by Pfizer to investigate a safety signal for pancreatic cancer with tofacitinib. Potential cases of pancreatic cancer across indications from Pfizers clinical trials and safety databases were identified and underwent in‐depth case review and external expert consultation. The magnitude of the signal was quantified. The feasibility of formal signal evaluation via a hypothesis‐testing study was explored. As of July 2016, 14 cases of potential pancreatic cancer were identified: eight cases in clinical development trials (psoriasis n = 6; RA n = 1; psoriatic arthritis n = 1), four cases in a postmarketing study in RA patients in Japan, and two spontaneous reports. Incidence rates (95% confidence intervals) per 100 patient‐years ranged from 0 (0, 0.02) to 0.14 in RA, 0.05 (0.01, 0.15) to 0.07 (0.02, 0.16) in psoriasis, and 0.25 (0.01, 1.37) in psoriatic arthritis. The majority of patients had established risk factors for pancreatic cancer. The pharmaceutical industrys rapid and transparent response to safety signals is essential for ensuring patient safety and enabling physicians and patients to adequately assess a drugs risk:benefit. Safety signals emerging through pharmacovigilance may be true or false indicators of a causative association with drug exposure. In this example, it was determined that tofacitinib exposure was unlikely to be related to induction and promotion of pancreatic cancer; however, a relationship with pancreatic cancer promotion could not be excluded.

Tofacitinib, an oral Janus kinase inhibitor, in patients from Mexico with rheumatoid arthritis: Pooled efficacy and safety analyses from Phase 3 and LTE studies

OBJECTIVES Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We characterized efficacy and safety of tofacitinib in Mexican patients from RA Phase 3 and long-term extension (LTE) studies. METHODS Data from Mexican patients with RA and an inadequate response to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) were taken from four Phase 3 studies (pooled across studies) and one open-label LTE study of tofacitinib. Patients received tofacitinib 5 or 10mg twice daily, adalimumab (one Phase 3 study) or placebo (four Phase 3 studies) as monotherapy or in combination with conventional synthetic DMARDs. Efficacy up to Month 12 (Phase 3) and Month 36 (LTE) was assessed by American College of Rheumatology 20/50/70 response rates, Disease Activity Score (erythrocyte sedimentation rate), and Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index. Safety, including incidence rates (IRs; patients with events/100 patient-years) for adverse events (AEs) of special interest, was assessed throughout the studies. RESULTS 119 and 212 Mexican patients were included in the Phase 3 and LTE analyses, respectively. Tofacitinib-treated patients in Phase 3 had numerically greater improvements in efficacy responses versus placebo at Month 3. Efficacy was sustained in Phase 3 and LTE studies. IRs for AEs of special interest were similar to those with tofacitinib in the global and Latin American RA populations. CONCLUSIONS In Mexican patients from the tofacitinib global RA program, tofacitinib efficacy was demonstrated up to Month 12 in Phase 3 studies and Month 36 in the LTE study, with a safety profile consistent with tofacitinib global population.