This is a study of the overall safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics (PK) of MK-8808 versus rituximab (MabThera® and Rituxan®) in participants with moderate to severe RA with an inadequate response or intolerance to methotrexate.
In Part A of the base study, participants are randomized to either MK-8808 or MabThera®. In Part B of the base study, participants are randomized to either MK-8808, MabThera®, or Rituxan®. Participants enrolled in Part A are not eligible to participate in Part B. In both Parts A and B, participants will receive one or two courses of therapy, with each course including two infusions of the study drugs. The extension portion of the study (Part C) will sequentially follow the base study beginning at Week 52 and continue for an additional 54 weeks. All participants who meet eligibility criteria and continue into the study extension will be treated with open-label MK-8808. Participants randomized to MK-8808 in the base study will remain on the same therapy. Participants randomized to rituximab (MabThera® or Rituxan®) in the base study will be switched to MK-8808 for the extension study.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
100
MK-8808 500 mg/m\^2 administered by IV on Day 1 and Day 15 or MK-8808 1000 mg administered by IV at Week 54 and Week 56
MabThera® 500 mg/m\^2 or 1000 mg administered by IV on Day 1 and Day 15
Methotrexate 10-25 mg administered orally, SC, or IM as a weekly stable dose
Part A: Area Under the Concentration-time Curve From Day 0 to Day 84 (AUC0-84day) After a Single Course of Treatment
AUC is a measure of the amount of drug in the plasma over time; samples are collected at intervals from pre-dose up to 84 days after the dose. Descriptive data values and associated dispersion measures (confidence intervals) are expressed in terms of the factor 10E6.
Time frame: Day 1 (pre- and post-dose), Day 3, Day 5, Day 8, Day 15, Day 17, Day 19, Day 22, Day 29, Day 43, Day 57, Day 85
Part B: Area Under the Concentration-time Curve From Day 0 to Day 84 (AUC0-84day) After a Single Course of Treatment
AUC is a measure of the amount of drug in the plasma over time; samples are collected at intervals from pre-dose up to 84 days after the dose.
Time frame: Day 1 (pre- and post-dose), Day 3, Day 5, Day 8, Day 15, Day 17, Day 19, Day 22, Day 29, Day 43, Day 57, Day 85
Number of Participants Who Experienced at Least One Adverse Event
An adverse event is defined as any unfavorable and unintended sign including an abnormal laboratory finding, symptom or disease associated with the use of a medical treatment or procedure, regardless of whether it is considered related to the medical treatment or procedure.
Time frame: Parts A and B: Up to 52 weeks; Extension A and B: Up to 106 weeks
Number of Participants Who Discontinued Study Drug Due to Adverse Events
Discontinuation/withdrawal of study treatment due to an adverse event was performed at the discretion of the investigator or the Sponsor for safety concerns. An adverse event is defined as any unfavorable and unintended sign including an abnormal laboratory finding, symptom or disease associated with the use of a medical treatment or procedure, regardless of whether it is considered related to the medical treatment or procedure.
Time frame: Parts A and B: Up to Week 28; Extension A and B: Up to 82 weeks
Number of Participants With Immunoglobulin G (IgG) Response in the Extension Study
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Rituxan® 1000 mg administered by IV on Day 1 and Day 15
Methylprednisolone 100 mg administered IV before initiation of each infusion as pre-medication to reduce the incidence and severity of infusion reactions
Acetaminophen 1000 to 1350 mg administered orally before initiation of each infusion as pre-medication to reduce the incidence and severity of infusion reactions
Loratidine 10 mg administered orally before initiation of each infusion as pre-medication to reduce the incidence and severity of infusion reactions
Serum IgG levels are determined over course of therapy with MK-8808 in the Extension Study.
Time frame: Week 54, Week 68, Week 80, Week 94, Week 106
Number of Participants Positive for Anti-Drug Antibody (ADA) Formation in the Extension Study
Serum ADA positivity is determined over course of therapy with MK-8808 in the Extension Study.
Time frame: Week 54, Week 56, Week 68, Week 80, Week 82, Week 94, Week 106
Part A: Maximum Concentration (Cmax) After the Second Infusion of a Single Course of Treatment
Cmax is a measure of the maximum plasma concentration of drug; samples are collected on Day 15 after the second infusion of the first course of treatment. Descriptive data values and associated dispersion measures (confidence intervals) are expressed in terms of the factor 10E3.
Time frame: Day 15
Part B: Cmax After the Second Infusion of a Single Course of Treatment
Cmax is a measure of the maximum plasma concentration of drug; samples are collected on Day 15 after the second infusion of the first course of treatment.
Time frame: Day 15