November 2024

Baricitinib as monotherapy for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: analysis of real-world data

Current Medical Research and Opinion 2024;40:1993–2002 doi: 10.1080/03007995.2024.2416979.

Edwards et al. report on real-world data for baricitinib monotherapy in rheumatoid arthritis, showing significant disease activity reduction across multiple registries and observational studies. These findings reinforce the viability of baricitinib monotherapy in clinical practice for RA patients, complementing existing guidelines.

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Intensified versus standard dose infliximab induction therapy for steroid-refractory acute severe ulcerative colitis (PREDICT-UC): an open-label, multicentre, randomised controlled trial

Lancet. 2024;9:981–96 doi: 10.1016/S2468-1253(24)00200-0

Choy et al. investigated the efficacy and safety of intensified versus standard infliximab dosing for steroid-refractory acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC). The study found that a first dose of 10mg/kg infliximab was not superior to the standard 5mg/kg dose in achieving clinical response by Day 7. Earlier responses were noted with dose intensification, but no significant differences were observed in remission, colectomy rates, or safety profiles by Month 3.

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October 2024

Effect of apremilast on hand and whole-body MRI assessments of inflammation in patients with psoriatic arthritis (MOSAIC): a phase 4, multicentre, single-arm, open-label study

Lancet Rheumatol. 2024 Doi: 10.1016/S2665-9913(24)00232-7

Østergaard et al. conducted a phase 4 multicentre, single-arm, open-label study to evaluate the effect of apremilast on MRI-assessed inflammation in PsA patients using PsAMRIS and MRI-WIPE. The study demonstrated that apremilast reduced inflammation in joints and entheses with no structural damage progression. The study also supports the use of MRI as an objective tool in PsA trials.

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Impact of treatments on fatigue in axial spondyloarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Rheumatology (Oxford). 2024 Oct 10:keae549 doi 10.1093/rheumatology/keae549 Epub ahead of print

Delcourt et al. conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis revealing that both pharmacological (DMARDs) and non-pharmacological interventions reduce fatigue in axSpA patients over short and medium terms, with greater efficacy seen when combined.

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Efficacy and safety of filgotinib in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: week 156 interim results from a long-term extension study

RMD Open 2024;12:e004476 doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2024-004476

Buch et al. demonstrated that filgotinib sustained its efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis patients through Wk156 in the FINCH 4 long-term extension study, showing stable safety profiles. The study reported high ACR response rates and remission based on Boolean criteria, underlining filgotinib's potential for extended clinical benefits.

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September 2024

A comparison of the safety and efficacy of tapinarof and roflumilast topical therapies in the management of mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis

Skin Res Technol. 2024 Sep;30:e70041 doi: 10.1111/srt.70041

Ghani et al. compared the efficacy and safety profiles of tapinarof and roflumilast for treating mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis. Both therapies showed robust efficacy and were well-tolerated, with low rates of adverse events. Tapinarof exhibited marginally higher efficacy in PASI scores compared to roflumilast.

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A multicentre randomized double-blind placebo-controlled phase III study of the efficacy and safety of xeligekimab (GR1501) in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis

Br J Dermatol. 2024 Aug 14;191:336-343 doi:10.1093/bjd/ljae062

Cai et al. demonstrated that xeligekimab significantly improved the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, with 90.7% achieving PASI 75 at week 12. Xeligekimab was well-tolerated with no unexpected safety concerns.

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Efficacy and Safety of Intravenous Secukinumab in Patients With Active Axial Spondyloarthritis: Results From the Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Phase III INVIGORATE-1 Study

Arthritis Rheumatol. 2024 Sep 19 doi 10.1002/art.42993 Epub ahead of print

Deodhar et al. evaluated the efficacy and safety of intravenous secukinumab in patients with active axial spondyloarthritis. The study found a significant improvement in the ASAS40 response at Week 16 (40.9% vs 22.9% in placebo, P<0.0001), with responses maintained through Week 52. No new safety signals were observed.

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Efficacy and safety of intravenous secukinumab for the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis: Results from the randomized, placebo-controlled Phase III INVIGORATE-2 study

Arthritis Rheumatol 2024 doi: 10.1002/art.42997

IV secukinumab provided rapid and sustained improvements in disease signs and symptoms at Week 16 and through 52 weeks. Kivitz et al. evaluated the long-term efficacy, safety, and tolerability of IV secukinumab in patients with active PsA.

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Relationship between lymphocyte count and risk of infection in Japanese rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with tofacitinib

Modern Rheumatology 2024;34:1115–24 doi: 10.1093/mr/roae030

Tanaka et al. observed that in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with tofacitinib, those with absolute lymphocyte counts (ALCs) <0.5x10³ cells/mm³ had a higher risk of serious infections and herpes zoster events compared to patients with higher ALC levels. This threshold may help identify increased infection risk in this population

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