This single-arm, open-label, multicenter study evaluated the safety and tolerability and the efficacy in reducing disease activity of tocilizumab \[RoActemra/Actemra\] as monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate in patients with active moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Patients were eligible to participate in this study if they are currently experiencing an inadequate response to a stable dose of a non-biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD). Patients received 8 mg/kg tocilizumab \[RoActemra/Actemra\] as an intravenous infusion every 4 weeks for a total of 6 infusions. The anticipated time on study treatment was 24 weeks. The target sample size was 50-200 patients.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
107
8 mg/kg intravenous infusion every 4 weeks.
methotrexate as per standard of care in clinical practice.
Alexandria University Hospital; Rheumatology
Alexandria, Egypt
Alexandria University
Alexandria, Egypt
Banha Educational Hospital; Rheumatology
Banhā, Egypt
Kasr El Ainy Hospital; Rheumatology
Cairo, Egypt
Ain Shams University Hospital; Rheumatology
Cairo, Egypt
Bab El Sheereya Hospital; Rheumatology
Cairo, Egypt
El Hussein University Hospital; Rheumatology
Cairo, Egypt
Kasr El Ainy Hospital
Cairo, Egypt
Manial Specialized Hospital; Rheumatology
Cairo, Egypt
Percentage of Participants Achieving Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28) Low Disease Activity
The DAS28 score is a measure of the patient's disease activity calculated using the tender joint count (TJC) \[28 joints\], swollen joint count (SJC) \[28 joints\], patient's global assessment of disease activity \[visual analog scale: 0=no disease activity to 100=maximum disease activity\] and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) for a total possible score of 0 to approximately 10. Low Disease Activity was defined as a DAS28 score of \< 3.2.
Time frame: Baseline to Week 24 (Weeks 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24)
Time to DAS28 Low Disease Activity
Time to DAS28 Low Disease Activity was defined as the time in days from the first infusion of study drug to the achievement of a DAS28 Score \<3.2 units. The DAS28 score is a measure of the patient's disease activity calculated using the tender joint count (TJC) \[28 joints\], swollen joint count (SJC) \[28 joints\], patient's global assessment of disease activity \[visual analog scale: 0=no disease activity to 100=maximum disease activity\] and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) for a total possible score of 0 to approximately 10. Low Disease Activity was defined as a DAS28 score of \< 3.2.
Time frame: 24 Weeks
Percentage of Participants Achieving DAS28 Clinically Significant Improvement
DAS28 Clinically Significant Improvement was defined as a DAS28 score reduction of at least 1.2 units from Baseline. The DAS28 score is a measure of the patient's disease activity calculated using the tender joint count (TJC) \[28 joints\], swollen joint count (SJC) \[28 joints\], patient's global assessment of disease activity \[visual analog scale: 0=no disease activity to 100=maximum disease activity\] and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) for a total possible score of 0 to approximately 10.
Time frame: Baseline, Weeks 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
Time to DAS28 Clinically Significant Improvement
Time to DAS28 Clinically Significant Improvement was the Time in days from the first infusion of study drug to the achievement of a DAS28 score reduction of at least 1.2 units. The DAS28 score is a measure of the patient's disease activity calculated using the tender joint count (TJC) \[28 joints\], swollen joint count (SJC) \[28 joints\], patient's global assessment of disease activity \[visual analog scale: 0=no disease activity to 100=maximum disease activity\] and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) for a total possible score of 0 to approximately 10. Low Disease Activity was defined as a DAS28 score of \< 3.2.
Time frame: 24 Weeks
Percentage of Participants Achieving DAS28 Remission
DAS28 Remission was defined as a DAS28 score \< 2.6 units. The DAS28 score is a measure of the patient's disease activity calculated using the tender joint count (TJC) \[28 joints\], swollen joint count (SJC) \[28 joints\], patient's global assessment of disease activity \[visual analog scale: 0=no disease activity to 100=maximum disease activity\] and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) for a total possible score of 0 to approximately 10.
Time frame: Weeks 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
Time to DAS28 Remission
Time to DAS28 Remission was the Time in days from the first infusion of study drug to the achievement of a DAS28 score \< 2.6 units. The DAS28 score is a measure of the patient's disease activity calculated using the tender joint count (TJC) \[28 joints\], swollen joint count (SJC) \[28 joints\], patient's global assessment of disease activity \[visual analog scale: 0=no disease activity to 100=maximum disease activity\] and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) for a total possible score of 0 to approximately 10.
Time frame: 24 Weeks
Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28)
The DAS28 score is a measure of the patient's disease activity calculated using the tender joint count (TJC) \[28 joints\], swollen joint count (SJC) \[28 joints\], patient's global assessment of disease activity \[visual analog scale: 0=no disease activity to 100=maximum disease activity\] and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) for a total possible score of 0 to approximately 10. Low Disease Activity was defined as a DAS28 score of \< 3.2.
Time frame: Weeks 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
Blood was collected for C-Reactive Protein (CRP), a test for inflammation, at Weeks 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 and was analyzed at a central laboratory. The serum concentration of CRP was measured in milligrams/deciliter (mg/dL).
Time frame: Weeks 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
Blood was collected for Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), a test to assess inflammation, at Weeks 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 and was analyzed at a central laboratory. ESR was measured in millimeters/hour (mm/hr).
Time frame: Weeks 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
Number of Participants With Adverse Events (AEs) and Serious Adverse Events (SAEs)
An AE was considered any unfavorable and unintended sign, symptom, or disease associated with the use of the study drug, whether or not considered related to the study drug. Preexisting conditions that worsened during the study and laboratory or clinical tests that resulted in a change in treatment or discontinuation from study drug were reported as adverse events. A SAE was any experience that suggests a significant hazard, contraindication, side effect or precaution that: results in death, is life-threatening, required in-patient hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization, results in persistent or significant disability/incapacity, is a congenital anomaly/birth defect or is medically significant.
Time frame: 24 Weeks
Number of Participants With AE and SAE Related Discontinuation
The number of participants who stopped using the study drug because of an AE or a SAE. An AE was considered any unfavorable and unintended sign, symptom, or disease associated with the use of the study drug, whether or not considered related to the study drug. Preexisting conditions that worsened during the study and laboratory or clinical tests that resulted in a change in treatment or discontinuation from study drug were reported as adverse events. A SAE was any experience that suggests a significant hazard, contraindication, side effect or precaution that: results in death, is life-threatening, required in-patient hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization, results in persistent or significant disability/incapacity, is a congenital anomaly/birth defect or is medically significant.
Time frame: 24 Weeks
Number of Participants With Serious Infections
A serious infection was an infection that qualified as a Serious Adverse Event (SAE). A SAE was any experience that suggests a significant hazard, contraindication, side effect or precaution that: results in death, is life-threatening, required in-patient hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization, results in persistent or significant disability/incapacity, is a congenital anomaly/birth defect or is medically significant.
Time frame: 24 Weeks
Number of Participants With Elevated AST (SGOT) and ALT (SGPT)
Blood was collected for aspartate aminotransferase (serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase) \[AST/SGOT\] and alanine aminotransferase (serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase) \[ALT/SGPT\], liver function tests, and were analyzed at a central laboratory. The number of participants with High AST (SGOT) or ALT (SGPT) levels at Week 24 is reported.
Time frame: Week 24
Number of Participants With Elevated Total Cholesterol According to ATPIII Guidelines
Blood samples were collected for Total Cholesterol and were sent to a central laboratory for analysis. According to Adult Treatment Profile III (ATPIII) guidelines the Total Cholesterol level in milligram/deciliter (mg/dL) was categorized as: Desirable ( \< 200), Borderline High (200- 239) or High (≥ 240). The number of participants categorized Borderline High or High at each time-point is reported.
Time frame: Weeks 0 (Baseline), 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
Number of Participants With Elevated HDL Cholesterol According to ATPIII Guidelines
Blood samples were collected for High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Cholesterol and were sent to a central laboratory for analysis. According to Adult Treatment Profile III (ATPIII) guidelines the HDL Total Cholesterol level in milligram/deciliter (mg/dL) was categorized as: Low (\< 40) or High (≥ 60). The number of participants with category High at each time-point is reported.
Time frame: Weeks 0 (Baseline), 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
Number of Participants With Elevated LDL Cholesterol According to ATPIII Guidelines
Blood samples were collected for Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol and were sent to a central laboratory for analysis. According to Adult Treatment Profile III (ATPIII) guidelines the LDL Cholesterol level in milligram/deciliter (mg/dL) was categorized as: Optimal (\< 100), Near Optimal/Above Optimal (100- 129), Borderline High (130- 159), High (160-189) or Very High (≥ 190). The number of participants categorized Borderline High, High or Very High at each time-point is reported.
Time frame: Weeks 0 (Baseline), 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
Number of Participants With Elevated Triglyceride According to ATPIII Guidelines
Blood samples were collected for Triglyceride and were sent to a central laboratory for analysis. According to Adult Treatment Profile III (ATPIII) guidelines the Triglyceride level in milligram/deciliter (mg/dL) was categorized as: Normal (\< 150), Borderline High (150- 199), High (200- 499) or Very High (≥ 500). The number of participants categorized Borderline High, High or Very High at each time-point is reported.
Time frame: Weeks 0 (Baseline), 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
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