In this 24-week, multi-center, randomized, double-blind study, the investigators will evaluate the efficacy and safety profile of subcutaneously injected Yisaipu, a Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Fusion Protein, combined with oral Tripterygium Wilfordii for patients with active rheumatoid arthritis.
This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of YISAIPU plus Tripterygium wilfordii (T2w) for the treatment of RA patients. YISAIPU is a recombinant human tumor necrosis factor receptor fusion protein, and tripterygium wilfordii is a chloroform/methanol extract of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F. Objectives: 1. To compare the efficacy of YISAIPU plus T2w versus MTX monotherapy for the treatment of signs and symptoms of RA. 2. To evaluate the safety of YISAIPU plus T2w in patients with RA for 24 weeks. Design: This is a randomized, 24-week, double-blind, parallel group study, and 506 patients with active RA will be randomized in a 1:1:1:1 ratio to one of the following four parallel treatment arms: 1. Methotrexate monotherapy 2. T2w monotherapy 3. YISAIPU plus methotrexate 4. YISAIPU plus T2w Escape: On week 13, all participants with inadequate response, defined as a \<30% improvement of swollen and tender joint counts from baseline, will switch to YISAIPU plus T2w treatment throughout the study. Endpoints : 1. ACR20, ACR50 and ACR70 response rates at 12 and 24 weeks. 2. DAS 28 (CRP) and DAS 28 (ESR) at 12 and 24 weeks. 3. EULAR response rates at 12 and 24 weeks. 4. Health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) at 12 and 24 weeks. 5. Patient assessment of arthritis pain at 12 and 24 weeks. 6. Patient and physician global assessment of arthritis at 12 and 24 weeks.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
504
Oral Tripterygium Wilfordii 20mg thrice daily for 24 weeks.
Oral methotrexate 7.5-15mg per week for 24 weeks. The starting dose was 7.5mg per week, then increased to 15mg (max 0.3mg/Kg) per week in 4 weeks. Folic acid at the dose of 5 mg per week were applied to all participants.
Yisaipu, a Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Fusion Protein, was subcutaneously injected at a dose of 50 mg once a week for 24 weeks.
Deptment of Rheumatology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital
Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China
The American College of Rheumatology 50 (ACR50) response at 12 weeks
The difference of ACR50 between Arm 4 (Yisaipu + Tripterygium Wilfordii) and Arm 1 (MTX) at week 12.
Time frame: week 12
The American College of Rheumatology 20/70 (ACR20/ACR70) response at 12 weeks
The difference of ACR20 and ACR70 between Arm 4 (Yisaipu + Tripterygium Wilfordii) and Arm 1 (MTX) at week 12.
Time frame: week 12
The American College of Rheumatology 20/50/70 (ACR20/ACR50/ACR70) response at 24 weeks
The difference of ACR20, ACR50 and ACR70 between Arm 4 (Yisaipu + Tripterygium Wilfordii) and Arm 1 (MTX) at week 24.
Time frame: week 24
The Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS28) response at 24 weeks
The change in DAS28 score from baseline to week 24 between Arm 4 (Yisaipu + Tripterygium Wilfordii) and Arm 1 (MTX). DAS28 = 0.56\*SQRT(TJC28) + 0.28\*SQRT(SJC28) + 0.36\*ln(CRP + 1) + 0.014\*GH + 0.96 * TJC28: The number of tender joints (0-28). * SJC28: The number of swollen joints (0-28). * CRP: The C-Reactive Protein level (in mg/l). * GH: The patient global health assessment (from 0=best to 100=worst). The 28 joint: shoulders, elbows, wrists, metacarpophalangeal joints, proximal interphalangeal joints and the knees.
Time frame: week 24
The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response at 12 weeks
The difference of proportions of patients meeting EULAR response between Arm 4 (Yisaipu + Tripterygium Wilfordii) and Arm 1 (MTX) at week 12.
Time frame: week 12
Health Assessment Questionnaire without Didability Index (HAQ-DI) at 12 weeks
The change in HAQ-DI score from baseline to week 12 between Arm 4 (Yisaipu + Tripterygium Wilfordii) and Arm 1 (MTX). HAQ-DI is an index measuring the quality of life related to health, which includes 20 questions in terms of three categories: * from 0 to 1: mild difficulties to moderate disability, * from 1 to 2: disability moderate to severe, * from 2 to 3: severe to very severe disability. The mean score is recorded as the result.
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Time frame: week 12