Publications

Bennett et al, showed that tofacitinib treatment in adults with rheumatoid arthritis led to a significant increase in lower limb and thigh muscle volume, accompanied by rises in serum creatinine without evidence of renal impairment.

Nozaki et al. showed that JAK inhibitor treatment provided sustained disease control (especially in high-risk RA patients) and promoted GC reduction, although TNF inhibitors remain a standard option. Nozaki et al. evaluated the clinical efficacy and continuation rates of JAK inhibitors and TNF inhibitors in RA patients with poor-prognosis factors (PPFs).

This large French nationwide study by Fautrel et al. provided reassuring results for patients, who initiated tocilizumab (TCZ), aged at least 75 years compared to younger patients. Authors compared patient characteristics, tolerance of RA treatments, and long-term management with TCZ in patients with RA over and under 75 years of age.

Most patients vaccinated with RZV while using UPA 15mg QD and background MTX achieved satisfactory humoral and cell-mediated immune responses to recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) at Weeks 4, 16 and 60. Winthrop et al. evaluated the immunogenicity of RZV through Week 60 in patients with RA who were receiving UPA 15mg QD and background MTX.

Wieczorek et al. present the first evidence supporting the use of a dual JAK and ROCK inhibitor as a potential treatment option for patients with RA who have inadequate response to MTX. Wieczorek et al. conducted a randomised, Phase 2 study of CPL’116 in patients with RA with inadequate response to MTX, to evaluate dose-dependent effects on disease control and pharmacokinetics, and its effect on laboratory abnormalities among other safety assessments.

Schaefer et al. showed that treatment with JAKis (predominantly BARI and TOF) was associated with an increased HR of malignancies compared to treatment with bDMARDs in the overall study cohort, consistent with results from the ORAL surveillance trial. To better understand the complex role of JAKis in cancer development in RA patients, Schaefer et al. estimated the effects of JAKis compared to bDMARDs on the risk of malignancy (excluding NMSC) in patients with RA.

Burmester et al. provide insights into the benefit–risk profiles of UPA and adalimumab in patients with varying cardiovascular (CV) risks, suggesting that UPA may offer efficacy advantages over adalimumab irrespective of baseline CV risk, with generally similar rates of AEs. To better understand the benefits and risks of RA treatments in patients with different background CV risk, Burmester et al. assessed the short-term and long-term benefit–risk profiles of UPA and adalimumab in patients enrolled in SELECT-COMPARE.

Wollenhaupt et al. undertook a post-hoc analysis of data from eight Phase 3 and 3b/4 clinical trials to assess change from baseline (Δ) weight and BMI in patients with moderate to severe RA receiving TOF through 12 months. Additionally, Wollenhaupt et al. evaluated correlations between baseline/changes in disease activity, baseline CRP, and changes in lipids with Δweight and BMI. Wollenhaupt et al. showed that mean Δweight and BMI increased over time and were greater with TOF (all doses) versus placebo at Months 3 and 6, and with TOF monotherapy versus combination therapy, at Months 3, 6, and 12. The correlation and sensitivity analyses showed weak correlation between Δweight or BMI with TOF and DAS28-4(ESR), baseline CRP or lipid changes.

The SELECT-MONOTHERAPY study evaluated the safety and efficacy of UPA monotherapy through 260 weeks of treatment, in patients with RA who had prior inadequate response to MTX. No new safety signals were observed with long-term exposure to UPA, and results were consistent with prior findings and the established safety profile of UPA across indications. These data support the potential of UPA as a treatment option for patients with moderate to severe active RA who have responded inadequately to MTX.