Author: Lise Verhoef
Cope et al. (OP0130) evaluated the feasibility, efficacy and acceptability of 52 weeks of abatacept compared to placebo in 213 individuals at risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the APPIPRA study. They found this treatment to be feasible, with acceptable safety profiles. T cell co-stimulation modulation with abatacept for 52 weeks showed a reduction in the development of RA over two years. There were no new safety signals.
Aymon et al. (OP0219) presented results from the JAK-POT study, a large multi-country real-world population, to assess the incidence of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE) in RA patients treated with JAKi compared to other biologic agents. Data from 50,325 treatment initiations and 34,932 patients with a mean follow-up of 2.8 years showed no significant difference in the incidence of MACE between JAKi vs TNFi (IRR = 0.87 (95% CI 0.56; 1.35)), and OMA vs TNFi (IRR = 1.05 (95% CI 0.74; 1.49).
Van Herwaarden. (OP0131) presented the 10-year follow-up results from the DRESS study on TNFi dose tapering. Out of 170 patients, 161 attempted dose reduction and 119 tapered until full discontinuation. A stable low disease activity and halved TNFi dose was found. Overall, the study shows effectiveness of disease activity-guided dose optimization of TNFi in RA up to 10 years.
Van Ouwekerk et al. (OP0220) compared glucocorticoids (GCs) use over time between RA patients in clinical trials randomized to treatment with or without initial GCs bridging using data from the BeSt, CareRA and COBRA trials. Mean DAS28 improved more rapidly in bridgers in the first 6 months, but the decrease was similar in both groups thereafter. Disregarding the initial bridging schedules there was no difference between the two groups in cumulative dose, 365 mg (95%CI -62; 793).
Emery et al. (POS0307) presented a Phase II trial on peresolimuab for adults with RA. They showed that peresolimab, a PD-1 receptor agonist, was superior to placebo at Week 12 for several key endpoints in RA. Safety events were similar between treatment groups.
Mohammad Ariff (OP0293) showed data from a one-year UK prospective cohort study of RA patients initiating a biological drug showed that patients who were adherent to methotrexate, assessed biochemically, at 6 months after starting biologic therapy had better response to treatment.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lise is senior researcher at the Sint Maartenskliniek, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
Her main research interests are in the field of bDMARD treatment strategies and eHealth.
Lise is a member of the Peer Mentoring Sub-Committee.