Biologic and Oral Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drug Monotherapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis Paul Emery,1,2 Anthony Sebba,3 Tom W J Huizinga4
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ARD Online First, published on August 5, 2013 as 10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-203485 Review Biologic and oral disease-modifying antirheumatic drug monotherapy in rheumatoid arthritis Paul Emery,1,2 Anthony Sebba,3 Tom W J Huizinga4 Handling editor Tore K Kvien ABSTRACT reasons for, and evidence supporting, the use of bio- ▸ Additional material is Clinical evidence demonstrates coadministration of logics or oral DMARDs (tofacitinib) as monother- published online only. To view tumour necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) agents and apy (box 1). References in retrieved articles were please visit the journal online methotrexate (MTX) is more efficacious than reviewed to identify trials in which biologics alone (http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/ administration of TNFi agents alone in patients with were administered. Additional search strategies to annrheumdis-2013-203485) rheumatoid arthritis, leading to the perception that identify potential reasons for use of biologics as 1 Leeds Institute of Rheumatic coadministration of MTX with all biologic agents or oral monotherapy were conducted. & Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs is necessary for 2 fi NIHR Leeds Musculoskeletal maximum ef cacy. Real-life registry data reveal MTX IN COMBINATION THERAPY Biomedical Research Unit, approximately one-third of patients taking biologic The enhanced efficacy of TNFi agents used in com- Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS agents use them as monotherapy. Additionally, an bination with MTX compared with TNFi mono- Trust United Kingdom, Leeds, analysis of healthcare claims data showed that when UK therapy is supported by data from randomized 3Department of Rheumatology, MTX was prescribed in conjunction with a biologic controlled trials (RCTs). Patients treated with inflixi- University of South Florida, agent, as many as 58% of patients did not collect the mab plus MTX had longer duration of response Tampa, Florida, USA MTX prescription. Given this discrepancy between 4 than those who received infliximab alone; 20% Department of Rheumatology, perception and real life, we conducted a review of the Leiden University Medical Paulus criteria were maintained for median 16.5 Center, Leiden, peer-reviewed literature and rheumatology medical versus 2.6 weeks (p=0.006).13 In the PREMIER The Netherlands congress abstracts to determine whether data support study, adalimumab in combination with MTX was biologic monotherapy as a treatment option for patients superior to adalimumab monotherapy; 62% of Correspondence to with rheumatoid arthritis. Our analysis suggests only for patients achieved ACR50 response on combination Professor Paul Emery, Leeds tocilizumab is there evidence that the efficacy of biologic Institute of Rheumatic & therapy compared with 41% on monotherapy Musculoskeletal Medicine, monotherapy is comparable with combination therapy with significantly less radiographic progression University of Leeds, Leeds LS7 with MTX. (p<0.001, both comparisons).14 In the Trial of 4SA, UK; [email protected] Etanercept and Methotrexate with Radiographic Received 18 February 2013 Patient Outcomes (TEMPO) study, higher response Revised 20 June 2013 INTRODUCTION rates were achieved with etanercept plus MTX than Accepted 9 July 2013 Methotrexate (MTX), administered alone or with etanercept monotherapy; ACR20, 86% vs 75%; another conventional disease-modifying antirheu- ACR50, 71% vs 54%; ACR70, 49% vs 27% and matic drug (DMARD), is the recommended first-line 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28) remission, treatment for patients with rheumatoid arthritis 42% vs 22% (p<0.01, all comparisons); there was (RA).12MTX plus tumour necrosis factor inhibitor also less radiographic progression (p<0.05).17 In (TNFi) agents is the usual treatment for patients the A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, with RA with insufficient response to MTX/ Placebo-controlledTrial of Golimumab, a Fully DMARDs (MTX-/DMARD-IR).12TNFi agents Human Anti-TNFa Monoclonal Antibody, plus MTX reduce disease activity, improve physical Administered Subcutaneously, in Subjects With function and attenuate radiographic progression in Active Rheumatoid Arthritis Despite Methotrexate – MTX/DMARD-IR patients.3 12 When administered Therapy (GO-FORWARD) study, ACR20 response with MTX, enhanced efficacy has been observed for was achieved by 56% of patients receiving golimu- TNFi agents infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab mab in combination with MTX, which was signifi- – and golimumab.13 18 The efficacy reported with cer- cantly higher than MTX monotherapy (33%, tolizumab in combination with MTX19 20 is higher p<0.001), and 44% receiving golimumab alone, than that reported in separate studies with certolizu- which was not significantly higher than MTX alone mab monotherapy.21 The non-TNFi agent rituxi- (p=0.059).16 ACR20 responses were reported in mab, which targets CD20+ B cells, may also be 58% of patients treated with certolizumab in com- more effective when combined with MTX.22 bination with MTX in the Rheumatoid Arthritis Despite the efficacy of TNFi agents plus conven- PreventIon of structural Damage 2 (RAPID 2) tional DMARDs and the limited approval of biolo- study19 and 46% of patients in the EFficAcy and gics (etanercept, adalimumab, certolizumab, Safety of cerTolizumab pegol – 4 Weekly dosAge in tocilizumab) as monotherapy, biologic monotherapy RheumatoiD arthritis (FAST4WARD) study who for managing RA is widespread in clinical prac- received certolizumab monotherapy.21 Similar – tice.23 29 results have been reported for rituximab; ACR50 To cite: Emery P, Sebba A, Review of the peer-reviewed published literature response rates were 41% with rituximab in combin- Huizinga TWJ. Ann Rheum – Dis Published Online First: (2005 2012) and rheumatology medical congress ation with MTX, which was higher than MTX [please include Day Month abstracts (European League Against Rheumatism alone (13%, p=0.005), whereas, the response with Year] doi:10.1136/ and American College of Rheumatology (ACR), rituximab monotherapy (33%) was not significantly annrheumdis-2013-203485 2009–2012) was conducted to determine potential higher than MTX (p=0.059).22 CopyrightEmery P, et Article al. Ann Rheum author Dis 2013; (or0 :1their–8. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-203485 employer) 2013. Produced by BMJ Publishing Group Ltd (& EULAR) under licence.1 Review versus discontinuation of MTX when initiating etanercept in Box 1 Search terms and strategies for identifying MTX-IR patients showed continuation resulted in better clinical clinical studies that support the use of biologic and radiographic outcomes at weeks 52 and 104 than discon- monotherapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis tinuation.40 41 Data from a Dutch registry showed discontinu- ation of DMARDs was not associated with increased disease activity after 6 months.42 Search strategies: Alternatives to initiating DMARD monotherapy include ▸ Evidence supporting the use of biologics as monotherapy: step-up, parallel, or step-down regimens.43 The most effective [drug name] AND [rheumatoid arthritis] AND regimen is unknown and may be different for different patients. [monotherapies OR monotherapy]. ▸ Reasons for using biologics as monotherapy: [DMARD] OR [methotrexate] AND [intoleran*] AND [management] AND [rheumatoid arthritis]. CHARACTERISATION OF RA PATIENTS NOT TAKING MTX 23–28 44 29 45 Drug names: tocilizumab, infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab, Data from biologic registries and US claims databases anakinra, abatacept, rituximab, certolizumab, golimumab, indicate approximately 30% of patients taking biologics use tofacitinib them as monotherapy. However, this does not capture patients Search limits: PubMed, 2005–2012; Congress (EULAR and ACR) who fill prescriptions but do not take some or all of the abstracts, 2009–2011; phase 3/4 studies and comparator studies medication. only; English language. Monotherapy studies that included Patients not taking MTX are those who never initiate MTX— background methotrexate were excluded. MTX is contraindicated or declined—and those who initiate ACR, American College of Rheumatology; DMARD, MTX but subsequently discontinue (figure 1). Among patients disease-modifying antirheumatic drug; EULAR, European League who never initiate treatment with MTX are those with contrain- Against Rheumatism. dications to MTX such as patients who are pregnant or breast- feeding, are heavy alcohol users, have alcohol-induced or other chronic liver diseases or have immunodeficiency or pre-existing blood dyscrasias, known hypersensitivity to MTX or lung Direct and indirect effects potentially account for the disease.46 The ACR recommends MTX not be used in the pres- fi enhanced ef cacy of TNFi agents coadministered with MTX. ence of clinically important RA-associated pneumonitis or inter- MTX may independently reduce inflammation and radiographic 4–8 stitial lung disease of unknown cause, or in patients with active progression. MTX also may increase the bioavailability of bacterial, active tuberculosis or life-threatening fungal or active fl 30 31 32 TNFi agents (in iximab and adalimumab, though no dose herpes zoster infection.2 Additionally, some patients may decline fl adjustments are required). In iximab can induce formation of MTX because of the advice to abstain from alcohol consump- anti-infliximab antibodies that may lower circulating infliximab 33 tion; the combination is associated with increased risk for levels and reduce clinical effect. However, MTX coadministra- hepatotoxicity.46 tion can promote immune tolerance and increase