Abstract
Background: The best strategy for maintaining clinical remission in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) has not been defined. C-OPTIMISE compared dose continuation, reduction and withdrawal of the tumour necrosis factor inhibitor certolizumab pegol (CZP) following achievement of sustained remission in patients with early axSpA.
Methods: C-OPTIMISE was a two-part, multicentre phase 3b study in adults with early active axSpA (radiographic or non-radiographic). During the 48-week open-label induction period, patients received CZP 200 mg every 2 weeks (Q2W). At Week 48, patients in sustained remission (Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) <1.3 at Weeks 32/36 and 48) were randomised to double-blind CZP 200 mg Q2W (full maintenance dose), CZP 200 mg every 4 weeks (Q4W; reduced maintenance dose) or placebo (withdrawal) for a further 48 weeks. The primary endpoint was remaining flare-free (flare: ASDAS ≥2.1 at two consecutive visits or ASDAS >3.5 at any time point) during the double-blind period.
Results: At Week 48, 43.9% (323/736) patients achieved sustained remission, of whom 313 were randomised to CZP full maintenance dose, CZP reduced maintenance dose or placebo. During Weeks 48 to 96, 83.7% (87/104), 79.0% (83/105) and 20.2% (21/104) of patients receiving the full maintenance dose, reduced maintenance dose or placebo, respectively, were flare-free (p<0.001 vs placebo in both CZP groups). Responses in radiographic and non-radiographic axSpA patients were comparable.
Conclusions: Patients with early axSpA who achieve sustained remission at 48 weeks can reduce their CZP maintenance dose; however, treatment should not be completely discontinued due to the high risk of flare following CZP withdrawal.
Trial registration number: NCT02505542, ClinicalTrials.gov.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 920-928 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases |
Volume | 79 |
Issue number | 7 |
Early online date | 7 May 2020 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 14 Jun 2020 |
Keywords
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Antirheumatic Agents/administration & dosage
- Certolizumab Pegol/administration & dosage
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Double-Blind Method
- Female
- Humans
- Induction Chemotherapy/methods
- Maintenance Chemotherapy/methods
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Spondylarthritis/drug therapy
- Treatment Outcome
- Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors/administration & dosage
- Withholding Treatment
- Young Adult