Publications

Buch et al. evaluated the efficacy and safety of filgotinib in patients with moderately active rheumatoid arthritis and inadequate response to methotrexate in the FINCH 1 study. At     Wk 12, ACR20 response rates were significantly higher with filgotinib 200 mg (77.9%) and 100 mg (67.8%) compared to placebo (43.8%). Safety profiles for both filgotinib doses were similar to adalimumab.

Risk of composite CV endpoints combining all ischaemic CV events and heart failure were similar for individual and combined TOF doses versus TNFi. The totality of CV risk (MACE-8 plus VTE) was higher with TOF 10mg twice daily versus TNFi. Buch et al conducted a post-hoc analysis on the ORAL Surveillance trial to assess risk across extended MACE endpoints in RA patients treated with either TOF 5mg, TOF 10mg, or TNFi.

The observed benefit:risk ratio strongly favours JAKi use in the majority of patients, and HCPs should consider and adhere to guidance on high-risk patients where applicable. Szekanecz et al summarised the safety and efficacy of approved JAKis tofacitinib, baricitinib, upadacitinib, and filgotinib to aid in clinical decision making.

Therapeutic intervention during the at-risk phase of RA with abatacept is feasible, with acceptable safety profiles. However, the efficacy of intermittent administration at multiple intervals remains to be assessed.