Use of tofacitinib in real clinical practice to treat patients with rheumatoid arthritis resistant to synthetic and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: Results of a multicenter observational study

Tofacitinib (TOFA), a member of a new class of targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), is a promising medication for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other immunoinflammatory diseases. The paper describes the Russian experi-ence with TOFA used to treat severe RA.

Patients and methods. 101 RA patients (18 men and 83 women; mean age, 51.03±11.28 years; mean disease duration, 105.4±81.43 months) who were positive for rheumatoid factor (89.1%) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (74.7%) and resistant to therapy with synthetic DMARDs (sDMARDs) (80.2%) and biological agents (19.8%) were given TOFA at a dose of 5 mg twice daily, which could be doubled if necessary. TOFA was used alone (n=9) or in combination with methotrexate (MT) (n=75) or other sDMARDs (n=17). The achievement of low disease activity (LDA) and clinical remission at 3 and 6 months of treatment by DAS28-ESR SDAI, and CDAI scores, and the indices of safety and tolerability were assessed.

Results. A total of 93 (92.1%) of the 101 patients completed a 24-week period of the investigation. 8 (7.9%) patients prematurely discontinued TOFA after an average of 2.75±0.71 months. At the end of the study, the patients achieved the primary endpoint (LDA including remission) in terms of DAS28-ESR ≤3.2 (34.7%), SDAI ≤11 (47.5%), and CDAI ≤10 (48.5%) and the secondary endpoints (clinical remission) in terms of DAS28-ESR ≤2.6 (17.8%), SDAI ≤3.3 (8.9%), and CDAI ≤2.8 (6.9%). When TOFA was combined with MT, the discontinuation rate for the former was significantly lower (2.7%) than when TOFA was used in combination with other sDMARDs (29.4%) or alone (11.1%; p<0.01). At 3 and 6 months of follow-up, LDA was achieved more frequently when TOFA was combined with MT than when other treatment regimens were used. Fatal outcomes and serious adverse events (AEs), as AEs previously undescribed in the literature, were not seen during a follow-up within the framework of the clinical trial. Only 2 patients discontinued TOFA because of AEs.

Conclusion. The use of TOFA in RA is effective in achieving LDA in patients unresponsive to sDMARDs and biological DMARDs. The prescription of the drug makes it possible to monitor the activity of the inflammatory process and, with its sufficient safety and good tolerability, to achieve LDA in half of the patients, including those with multidrug resistance.

1. Smolen JS, Aletaha D, Bijlsma JW, et al. Treating rheumatoid arthritis to target: recommendations of an international task force. Ann Rheum Dis. 2010 Apr;69(4):631-7. doi: 10.1136/ard.2009.123919. Epub 2010 Mar 9.

2. Каратеев ДЕ, Лучихина ЕЛ. Современная стратегия терапии ревматоидного артрита. Русский медицинский журнал. 2012;20(30):1504-9. [Karateev DE, Luchikhina EL. Modern strategy of therapy of rheumatoid arthritis. Russkii meditsinskii zhurnal. 2012;20(30):1504- 9. (In Russ.)].

3. Ермакова ЮА, Каратеев ДЕ, Лучихина ЕЛ, Демидова НВ. Динамика активности болезни, функционального статуса и рентгенологических изменений при раннем ревматоидном артрите: результаты 5-летнего наблюдения в рамках российской программы РАДИКАЛ. Научно-практическая ревматология. 2015;53(1):17-23. [Ermakova YuA, Karateev DE, Luchikhina EL, Demidova NV. Trends in disease activity, functional status, and radiographic changes in early rheumatoid arthritis: results of a 5-year follow-up within the russian RADIKAL program. Nauchno-prakticheskaya revmatologiya = Rheumatology Science and Practice. 2015;53(1):17-23. (In Russ.)]. doi: 10.14412/1995-4484-2015- 17-23.

4. Каратеев ДЕ, Лучихина ЕЛ, Демидова НВ и др. Первое российское стратегическое исследование фармакотерапии ревматоидного артрита (РЕМАРКА): результаты лечения 130 больных в течение 12 месяцев. Научно-практическая ревматология. 2014;52(6):607-14. [Karateev DE, Luchikhina EL, Demidova NV, et al. The first russian strategic study of pharmacotherapy for rheumatoid arthritis (REMARCA TRIAL): results of 12-month treatment in 130 patients. Nauchno-prakticheskaya revmatologiya = Rheumatology Science and Practice. 2014;52(6):607-14. (In Russ.)]. doi: 10.14412/1995- 4484-2014-607-614.

5. Каратеев ДЕ. Острые вопросы стратегии лечения ревматоидного артрита. Современная ревматология. 2015;9(1):84-92. [Karateev DE. Treatment strategy for rheumatoid arthritis: hot topics. Sovremennaya revmatologiya = Modern Rheumatology Journal. 2015;9(1):84-92. (In Russ.)]. doi: 10.14412/1996-7012-2015-1-84-92.

6. Лучихина ЕЛ. Прогнозирование и длительное поддержание низкой активности заболевания на фоне терапии генно-инженерными биологическими препаратами при ревматоидном артрите. Современная ревматология. 2014;8(2):66-70. [Luchikhina EL. The prediction and longterm maintenance of low disease activity during therapy with disease modifying antiinflammatory drugs for rheumatoid arthritis. Sovremennaya revmatologiya = Modern Rheumatology Journal. 2014;8(2):66-70. (In Russ.)]. doi: 10.14412/1996-7012-2014- 2-66-70

7. Каратеев ДЕ. Насколько Реально длительное сохранение лечебного эффекта ингибиторов ФНО-альфа? Фокус на иммуногенность. Современная ревматология. 2014;8(2):35-40. [Karateev DE. How real is the long-lasting effect of tumor necrosis factor α inhibitors? Focus on immunogenicity. Sovremennaya revmatologiya = Modern Rheumatology Journal. 2014;8(2):35-40. (In Russ.)]. doi: 10.14412/1996-7012-2014-2-35-40.

8. Каратеев ДЕ. Новое направление в патогенетической терапии ревматоидного артрита: первый ингибитор Янус-киназ тофацитиниб. Современная ревматология. 2014;8(1):39-44. [Karateev DE. A new trend in pathogenetic treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: tofacitinib, the first inhibitor of Janus kinase. Sovremennaya revmatologiya = Modern Rheumatology Journal. 2014;8(1): 39-44. (In Russ.)]. doi: 10.14412/1996-7012- 2014-1-39-44.

9. Насонов ЕЛ. Новые подходы к фармакотерапии ревматоидного артрита: тофацитиниб. Научно-практическая ревматология. 2014;52(2):209-21. [Nasonov EL. New approaches to pharmacotherapy of rheumatoid arthritis: Tofacitinib. Nauchnoprakticheskaya revmatologiya = Rheumatology Science and Practice. 2014;52(2):209-21. (In Russ.)]. doi: 10.14412/1995-4484-2014- 209-221.

10. Fleischmann R, Kremer J, Cush J, et al. Placebo-controlled trial of tofacitinib monotherapy in rheumatoid arthritis. N Engl J Med. 2012 Aug 9;367(6):495-507.

11. Burmester GR, Blanco R, Charles-Schoerman C, et al. Tofacitinib (CP-690,550) in combination with methotrexate in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis with an inadequate response to tumour necrosis factor inhibitors: a randomised phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2013 Feb 9;381(9865):451-60. doi: 10.1016/ S0140-6736(12)61424-X. Epub 2013 Jan 5.

12. Feist E, Burmester G. Small molecules targeting JAKs-a new approach in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2013 Aug;52(8):1352-7. doi: 10.1093/ rheumatology/kes417. Epub 2013 Feb 1.

13. Дирескенели Х. Международный опыт применения тофацитиниба в реальной клинической практике. Современная ревматология. 2015;9(1M):5. [Direskeneli Kh. International experience of the use of tofacitinib in clinical practice. Sovremennaya revmatologiya = Modern Rheumatology journal. 2015;9(1M):5.]. doi: 10.14412/1996- 7012- 2015-1-5.

14. Бабаева АР, Калинина ЕВ, Каратеев ДЕ. Опыт применения тофацитиниба в лечении резистентного ревматоидного артрита. Современная ревматология. 2015;9(2):28-32. [Babaeva AR, Kalinina EV, Karateev DE. Experience with tofacitinib in the treatment of resistant rheumatoid arthritis. Sovremennaya revmatologiya = Modern Rheumatology Journal. 2015;9(2):28-32. (In Russ.)]. doi: 10.14412/1996-7012-2015-2-28-32.

15. Мясоутова Л. Клинический случай применения тофацитиниба. Современная ревматология. 2015;9(1M):8. [Myasoutova L. Clinical case of the use of tofacitinib. Sovremennaya revmatologiya = Modern Rheumatology Journal. 2015;9(1M):8.] doi: 10.14412/1996-7012- 2015-1-8.

16. Демидова НВ, Лучихина ЕЛ, Каратеев ДЕ. Выраженный и быстрый терапевтический эффект тофацитиниба в комбинации с подкожным метотрексатом у пациентки с ревматоидным артритом, имеющей факторы неблагоприятного прогноза, резистентной к стандартным базисным средствам и генно-инженерным биологическим препаратам (клинический случай). Современная ревматология. 2016;10(1):37-40. [Demidova NV, Luchikhina EL, Karateev DE. The marked and rapid therapeutic effect of tofacitinib in combination with subcutaneous methotrexate in a rheumatoid arthritis patient with poor prognostic factors who is resistant to standard disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and biologicals: A clinical case. Sovremennaya revmatologiya = Modern Rheumatology journal. 2016;10(1):37-40. (In Russ.)]. doi: 10.14412/1996-7012-2016-1-37-40.

17. Лучихина ЕЛ, Каратеев ДЕ, Демидова НВ и др. Эффективность и безопасность терапии тофацитинибом у больных активным ревматоидным артритом с резистентностью к стандартной терапии: предварительные результаты открытого клинического исследования. Современная ревматология. 2016;10(2): 17-23. [Luchikhina EL, Karateev DE, Demidova NV, et al. Efficacy and safety of Tofacitinib in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis resistant to conventional therapy: Preliminary results of an open-label clinical trial. Sovremennaya revmatologiya = Modern Rheumatology journal. 2016;10(2):17-23.(In Russ.)]. doi: 10.14412/1996-7012-2016- 2-17-23.

18. Насонов ЕЛ, Мазуров ВИ, Каратеев ДЕ и др. Проект рекомендаций по лечению ревматоидного артрита Общероссийской общественной организации «Ассоциация ревматологов России» – 2014 (часть 1). Научно-практическая ревматология. 2014;52(5):472-94. [Nasonov EL, Mazurov VI, Karateev DE, et al. Project: Recommendations on treatment of rheumatoid arthritis developed by All-Russian Public Organization «Association of rheumatologists of Russia» – 2014 (Part 1). Nauchno-prakticheskaya revmatologiya = Rheumatology Science and Practice. 2014;52(5):477-94. (In Russ.)]. doi: 10.14412/1995-4484-2014-477-494.

19. Arnett FC, Edworthy SM, Bloch DA, et al. American Rheumatism Association 1987 revised criteria for the classification of rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 1988 Mar;31(3):315-24.

20. Насонов ЕЛ, редактор. Ревматология. Клинические рекомендации. Москва: ГЭОТАР-Медиа; 2010. 752 c. [Nasonov EL, editor. Revmatologiya. Klinicheskie rekomendatsii [Rheumatology. Clinical guidelines]. Moscow: GEOTAR-Media; 2010. 752 p.]. 21. Aletaha D, Smolen J. The Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) and the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI): a review of their usefulness and validity in rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2005;23(5 Suppl 39):S100-8.

21. Felson DT, Smolen JS, Wells G, et al. American College of Rheumatology/ European League against Rheumatism provisional definition of remission in rheumatoid arthritis for clinical trials. Ann Rheum Dis. 2011;70(3):404-13. doi: 10.1136/ard.2011.149765.

22. Strand V, Fleischmann R, Alten RE, et al. ORAL START: effects of the oral JAK inhibitor tofacitinib monotherapy versus methotrexate on patient-reported outcomes in the phase 3 oral start trial of active rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2013;72(Suppl 3):252, EULAR Congress abstr. THU0258.