In a nutshell
This study investigated the timepoint at which certolizumab pegol treatment is effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis.
They found that the effectiveness of certolizumab pegol treatment at 12 weeks predicts future treatment success at 52 weeks.
Some background
Certolizumab pegol (CZP) is a new biologic drug that blocks activity of tumour necrosis factor (TNF), an inflammatory chemical. The effects of CZP are more long-lasting than some other biologic drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA), including infliximab.
Recent evidence suggests that if patients do not respond to CZP treatment after 12 weeks they will not respond at longer time points (e.g. 52 weeks). It is important to determine if a patient with RA will respond to CZP treatment and how soon improvements can be achieved. It is unclear what time-point can predict successful treatment with CZP.
Methods & findings
This study investigated the time-point for CZP treatment analysis in order to predict long-term treatment success.
This study included 132 patients with moderate/severe RA. Of these, 91 patients remained in the study after 52 weeks. Patients received CZP (400 mg three times over 4 weeks, 200 mg once every 2 weeks) over 52 weeks. Patients were also treated with methotrexate during the study. Disease activity was measured throughout the study.
At 12 weeks, 67.2% of patients acheived at least a 20% improvement in disease symptoms. This was maintained at week 52 (61.8%). Patients who responded well to CZP at 12 weeks were most likely to maintain the response at week 52.
CZP treatment was associated with side effects including infections. 10% of adverse events were classified as serious.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that the effectiveness of certolizumab pegol treatment at 12 weeks predicts future treatment success at 52 weeks
The fine print
The number of patients included in this study was relatively small. Larger studies are needed to confirm that week 12 is an appropriate time-point for evaluation of CZP treatment.
This trial was funded by UCB Pharma, the producer of CZP.
What’s next?
If you have any concerns regarding treatment of RA, please discuss with your doctor.
Published By :
Advances in therapy
Date :
Jul 24, 2018
