Effects of Tofacitinib vs Methotrexate on Rheumatoid Arthritis Interstitial Lung Disease

Pulmonary abnormalities are present in up to 60% of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and up to 10% of the patients will develop clinical interstitial lung disease (ILD). Recent data indicate that inhibition of Janus kinase is beneficial for this extra-articular manifestation. Our goal is to determine whether tofacitinib is an effective and safe treatment, compared to standard-of-care methotrexate, for subclinical and clinical ILD in patients with early RA. The study also explores disease mechanisms in lungs and joints, to identify potential biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and response to treatment of RA-ILD.

Study objectives:

Primary objective: Effects of tofacitinib compared to that of methotrexate on interstitial pulmonary abnormalities at 24 weeks.

Secondary objectives: Effects of tofacitinib compared to that of methotrexate on pulmonary abnormalities and function, RA disease activity and remission rates and patient reported outcome measures at different time points. Frequency of adverse events.

Exploratory objectives: Effects of tofacitinib compared to that of methotrexate on cellular and molecular activity profiles of clinical samples from joints and lungs.

Study design:

A randomized, actively controlled, open-label, assessor-blinded, multicenter 48 weeks phase IV trial. The study design includes an optional sub-study collecting tissue samples using ultrasound-guided synovial biopsies, bronchoalveolar lavage and Particles in Exhaled Air (PExA).

Study population and intervention:

Patients with early untreated RA with active and seropositive disease will be eligible for screening and the performance of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). Subjects with pulmonary abnormalities suggestive of RA-ILD will be randomized (1:1) to tofacitinib 5 mg BID (group 1) or standard-of-care methotrexate 20 mg weekly (group 2) for 48 weeks. All patients receive prednisone with tapering for 6 weeks. Patients with incomplete response at 24 weeks will escalate to combination therapy with tofacitinib+methotrexate (group 3). Intra-articular injections of cortisone will be allowed during the study.

145 subjects will be included and screened (part 1), and approximately 48 subjects will be randomized to active treatment (part 2).

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Diagnosis of seropositive (i.e., presence of RF and/or anti-CCP antibodies) rheumatoid arthritis (RA) according to the ACR/EULAR 2010 criteria within 24 months.
2. No previous treatment with disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). History of prednisone use is allowed but should have been discontinued 2 weeks before baseline measurement.
3. Active disease with ≥2 painful and ≥2 swollen joints in 66/68 joints and CRP ≥2.0 mg/L
4. Aged 18-80 years
5. The subject has given written consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Current active inflammatory joint disease other than RA.
2. Significant and/or uncontrolled cardiac, pulmonary disease, nervous system, renal, hepatic, endocrine or gastrointestinal disorders or severe RA which in the investigator's opinion would preclude patient participation.
3. Malignancy within the past 5 years, except for successfully treated cervical carcinoma in situ, basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, with no evidence of recurrence or metastatic disease for at least 3 years.
4. Primary or secondary immunodeficiency (history of, or currently active), including known history of HIV infection.
5. Pregnant or lactating women.

   For subjects in part II the following exclusion criteria also apply:
6. Women of childbearing potential not willing or able to use highly effective methods of birth control per ICH M3 (R2) for 28 days prior and 3 months after end of study.
7. Active infection (excluding fungal infections of nail beds) requiring i.v. anti-infectives within 4 weeks, or oral anti-infectives within 2 weeks prior to baseline.
8. Positive tests for hepatitis B (HBsAg or HBV DNA),hepatitis C serology or SARS-CoV2
9. History of herpes zoster infection during last 10 years.
10. History or risk of venous thromboembolism or diverticulitis.
11. Positive tuberculosis history and/or positive Quantiferon test.
12. Hemoglobin \<90 g/L.
13. Absolute neutrophil count \< 1500 cells/uL.
14. ASAT or ALAT \>2.0 times the upper limit of normal.
15. High or very high risk (≥ 5%) of cardiovascular death within 10 years by SCOREx1,5.
16. Multiple incidental solid/subsolid lung nodules of size ≥6 mm, single incidental solid lung nodules ≥8 mm.