Experience of using a genetically engineered biological drug biosimilar in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in real clinical practice
Authors:   European Medical Center, Moscow, Russian Federation, Zhilyaev E.V. ,   Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education, Moscow, Russian Federation,   Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation, Koltsova E.N. ,   Research Institute for Healthcare and Medical Management of Moscow Healthcare  Department, Moscow, Russian Federation, Shmidt E.I. ,   City Clinical Hospital No. 1 named after N.I. Pirogov, Moscow, Russian Federation, Lytkina K.A. ,   City Clinical Hospital No.4 of Moscow Healthcare Department, Moscow, Russian Federation, Lukina G.V. ,   Loginov Moscow Clinical Scientific Center, Moscow, Russian Federation,   Research Institute of Rheumatology named after V.A. Nasonova, Moscow, Russian  Federation
Published: November 2020

The article presents the data of the Moscow Unified Arthritis Register (MUAR) and the results of rituximab therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Aim: to evaluate the efficacy and safety of switching from the original rituximab (MabThera®) to its biosimilar (Acellbia®) in patients with RA in real clinical practice.Patients and Methods: patients with RA, included in MUAR register, were evaluated with an assessment of therapy efficacy and safety with the original rituximab (MabThera®), as well as after switching to the rituximab biosimilar (Acellbia®). A standard examination was performed to determine the number of swollen and tender joints, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein. Treatment efficacy was assessed using the DAS28 composite index, HAQ-DI (Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index) and RAPID-3 (Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3). In terms of safety, adverse events were recorded based on patient reports.Results: switching therapy regimen of 46 patients with RA from the original rituximab to the biosimilar was not accompanied by a decrease in the treatment efficacy. There was statistically significant increase in the proportion of the patients with low disease activity (DAS28<3.2) from 39.1% to 52.2% and remission (DAS28<2.6) from 17.4% to 23.9%, respectively. Further positive dynamics of HAQ-DI and RAPID-3 indices were noted. According to the authors, the increase in the frequency of a positive response to the treatment was associated with the duration of rituximab use in general. The frequency of adverse events during therapy with the original rituximab and its biosimilar was comparable: 9.22 and 10.9 per 100 patient years respectively.Conclusion: there were no significant differences between the original rituximab and its biosimilar. The results of switching therapy regimen of patients with RA from the original rituximab (MabThera®) to its biosimilar (Acellbia®), observed in real clinical practice, confirm their therapeutic equivalence.KEYWORDS: rheumatoid arthritis, rituximab, biosimilar, real clinical practice.FOR CITATION: Zhilyaev E.V., Koltsova E.N., Shmidt E.I. et al. Experience of using a genetically engineered biological drug biosimilar in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in real clinical practice. Russian Medical Inquiry. 2020;4(8):492–497. DOI: 10.32364/2587-6821-2020-4-8-492-497.