Clinical trial NCT00405275: Rheumatoid Arthritis: Comparison of Active Therapies in Patients With Active Disease Despite Methotrexate Therapy
Official title: CSP #551 - Rheumatoid Arthritis: Comparison of Active Therapies in Patients With Active Disease Despite Methotrexate Therapy
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Rheumatoid Arthritis
Keywords: antineoplastic
antiparasitics
antirheumatics
chronic diseases
clinical trial
connective tissue
double-blind
drug treatment
gastric medications
joint
multi-site trial
musculoskeletal
randomized
rheumatoid arthritis
Lead sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development
Sponsor class: FED
Collaborators: name: Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
name: Rheumatoid Arthritis Investigational Network (RAIN)
name: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
First posted: 2006-11-30
Enrollment: 353
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the joints leading to joint destruction, with significant long-term morbidity and mortality. Early treatment of RA patients with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) significantly decreases these complications. Methotrexate (MTX) is an excellent, economical first-line DMARD used to treat a majority of RA patients. While most patients respond well to MTX, many continue to have active disease. Therefore, understanding how to best treat RA patients with active disease despite MTX therapy is critically important. Although a number of therapies with significantly different economic implications have been shown to be effective when added to MTX, no trial has directly compared active therapies. This study will compare therapeutic strategies using two regimens with proven efficacy when added to MTX therapy; a) hydroxychloroquine and sulfasalazine (cost \~ $1000 per year); b) the tumor necrosis factor inhibitor, etanercept (cost \~ $12,000 per year).

We propose a bi-national multi-center randomized, double-blind equivalency trial comparing (A) the strategy of initially adding hydroxychloroquine and sulfasalazine to MTX in patients with active disease despite MTX, with a switch at 24 weeks to etanercept in nonresponders to (B) a strategy of adding etanercept to MTX, with a switch to hydroxychloroquine and sulfasalazine in nonresponders at 24 weeks. If we find that the strategy of first adding hydroxychloroquine and sulfasalazine to MTX identifies a subset of responsive patients and that there is no harm to nonresponders because of early rescue with etanercept, then this less expensive option should become the standard treatment for MTX resistant patients.

Four hundred and fifty RA patients with active disease despite treatment with MTX as indicated by a Disease Activity Score with 28 joints (DAS28) of \>4.4 units will be randomized. A DAS improvement of \<1.2 (validated as clinically significant) at 24 weeks will be used to identify early nonresponder who will switch therapy. Subjects with a DAS28 improvement of \> 1.2 at 24 weeks will remain on their initial therapy. The primary endpoint is the change of DAS 28 scores from baseline to 48 weeks. The secondary endpoint is comparison of radiographic progression of disease at 48 weeks, as measured by the change in Sharp score. Economic and functional outcomes will be assessed and a serum and DNA bank will be established to evaluate potential biomarkers predictive of treatment response/toxicity and disease progression. This trial will recruit 450 subjects over 40 months. At the end of the 48 week blinded active therapy portion of the trial, the blind will be broken and data will be collected in an open fashion until all 450 patients have completed the 48 week portion of the trial.

Detailed description: The main objective of this proposal is to compare two successful treatment strategies that have significantly different economic implications head-to-head in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who have active disease despite methotrexate therapy.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the joints leading to joint destruction, with significant long-term morbidity and mortality. Early treatment of RA patients with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) significantly decreases these complications. Methotrexate (MTX) is an excellent, economical first-line DMARD used to treat a majority of RA patients. While most patients respond well to MTX, many continue to have active disease. Therefore, understanding how to best treat RA patients with active disease despite MTX therapy is critically important. Although a number of therapies with significantly different economic implications have been shown to be effective when added to MTX, no trial has directly compared active therapies. This study will compare therapeutic strategies using two regimens with proven efficacy when added to MTX therapy; a) hydroxychloroquine and sulfasalazine (cost \~ $1000 per year); b) the tumor necrosis factor inhibitor, etanercept (cost \~ $12,000 per year).

We propose a bi-national multi-center randomized, double-blind equivalency trial comparing (A) the strategy of initially adding hydroxychloroquine and sulfasalazine to MTX in patients with active disease despite MTX, with a switch at 24 weeks to etanercept in nonresponders to (B) a strategy of adding etanercept to MTX, with a switch to hydroxychloroquine and sulfasalazine in nonresponders at 24 weeks. If we find that the strategy of first adding hydroxychloroquine and sulfasalazine to MTX identifies a subset of responsive patients and that there is no harm to nonresponders because of early rescue with etanercept, then this less expensive option should become the standard treatment for MTX resistant patients.

Four hundred and fifty RA patients with active disease despite treatment with MTX as indicated by a Disease Activity Score with 28 joints (DAS28) of greater than or equal to 4.4 units will be randomized. A DAS improvement of greater than or equal to 1.2 (validated as clinically significant) at 24 weeks will be used to identify early nonresponder who will switch therapy. Subjects with a DAS28 improvement of ≥ 1.2 at 24 weeks will remain on their initial therapy. The primary endpoint is the change of DAS 28 scores from baseline to 48 weeks. The secondary endpoint is comparison of radiographic progression of disease at 48 weeks, as measured by the change in Sharp score. Economic and functional outcomes will be assessed and a serum and DNA bank will be established to evaluate potential biomarkers predictive of treatment response/toxicity and disease progression. This trial will recruit 450 subjects over 40 months. At the end of the 48 week blinded active therapy portion of the trial, the blind will be broken and data will be collected in an open fashion until all 450 patients have completed the 48 week portion of the trial.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* All patients must fulfill ACR classification criteria for rheumatoid arthritis.
* All patients must have been 16 years of age or older at time of diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.
* All patients must be 18 years of age or older at the time of entry into the study.
* All patients will have been receiving oral or subcutaneous methotrexate 15 to 25 mg/week (unless intolerant and on a minimum 10 mg/week) at a constant dose for at least 4 weeks, and on any methotrexate for no less than 12 weeks.
* All patients will have active disease as defined by a DAS28 of greater than or equal to 4.4.
* If patients are receiving corticosteroids, they must have been on stable dose (less than or equal to 10 mg prednisone or equivalent) for at least two weeks prior to screening.
* If patients are using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), they must be on stable doses for at least one week prior to screening.
* If patients have taken leflunomide, cyclosporine, gold, Anakinra, azathioprine, or penicillamine in combination with methotrexate, they must have stopped this therapy at least 8 weeks prior to randomization.
* Laboratory tests must meet the following criteria within 2 weeks of randomization:

  * Serum creatinine 1.8 mg/dL
  * Hemoglobin 9 g/dL
  * WBC 3000 mc/L
  * Neutrophils 1000 mc/L
  * Platelets 100,000 mc/L
  * Serum transaminase level (AST or ALT, whichever is followed at the site) not exceeding 1.2 times upper limit of normal.
  * Albumin no less than 1.0 g/dL (10 g/L) below lower limit of normal. Anything below lower limit of normal must have been stable (or improving) for no less than 90 days. Stable is defined as changes of no more than 0.2 g/dL (2 g/L).
* All patients must be capable of giving informed consent and able to adhere to study visit schedule.
* Subject or designee must have the ability to self-inject investigational product or have a caregiver who can inject subcutaneous injections
* Subjects must meet one of the following criteria with regard to tuberculosis. PPD must be within 180 days of randomization if the patient has no recent exposure/travel history, or within 90 days if the patient has a recent exposure/travel history.

  * Negative PPD; or
  * Positive PPD \<5 mm, with a negative chest x-ray; or
  * Positive PPD \>5mm, treated for at least 28 days with INH.
* Subjects with an Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of less than or equal to 10 and a tender and swollen joint count of at least 10 and does not qualify for the study using the DAS28, will be allowed to use the DAS28-CRP rather than the traditional DAS28 to determine eligibility.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Previous intolerance to methotrexate (unless able to tolerate at least 10 mg/week)
* Sensitivity to study medications
* Previous treatment with methotrexate, sulfasalazine or hydroxychloroquine in combination with each other for longer than 4 weeks duration. No combination use is allowed within 4 weeks of screening.
* No bed or wheelchair-bound patients
* Previous treatment with a TNF- inhibitor (etanercept, infliximab or adalimumab) for more than 5 weeks of therapy. Previous treatment with TNF- inhibitor must have been stopped for reasons other than toxicity or efficacy. No TNF- inhibitor therapy is allowed within the following time frames:

  * Last dose of etanercept must have been at least 4 weeks before screening.
  * Last dose of adalimumab or infliximab must have been at least 8 weeks prior to screening.

Example of an eligible patient: A patient found he could not afford the co-pays for a TNF inhibitor after two doses and stopped taking the medication two months before being evaluated for this trial.

* Evidence of important acute or chronic infections (no IV antibiotics within 1 month, and no PO antibiotics within 2 weeks)
* Pregnant or nursing women
* Women of childbearing potential or their partners who are not practicing an acceptable form of birth control as defined by investigator
* Active substance abuse or psychiatric illness likely to interfere with protocol completion
* History of multiple sclerosis, transverse myelitis, or optic neuritis
* History of macular degeneration unless patient has letter from their ophthalmologist that will allow for participation in trial
* New York Heart Association Class III or IV congestive heart failure
* Active malignancy (other than in situ cervical cancer or non-melanoma skin cancer), or history of lymphoma
* History of HIV
* History of any opportunistic infection - to include but not limited to Pneumocystis carinii, aspergillosis, histoplasmosis, or atypical mycobacterium
* History of porphyria
* Diagnosis of SLE or seronegative spondyloarthropathy or any other form of concomitant arthritis (osteoarthritis is permitted)
* Diagnosis of psoriasis unless rheumatoid factor positive
* Any significant unstable medical condition considered a contraindication by investigator
* Any participation in another investigational drug study during the 90 days preceding randomization.
* Receipt of a live vaccine within 90 days of study entry.
* History of oral or IV cyclophosphamide use
* Life expectancy less than 2 years
* Receipt of steroid injection, intravenous, intramuscular, or intraarticular, within 30 days of randomization.

Primary outcomes:
measure: Mean 48-week Change in DAS28
timeFrame: 48 weeks after baseline assessment
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Loma Linda
country: United States
facility: VA Medical Center, Loma Linda
state: California
city: Long Beach
country: United States
facility: VA Medical Center, Long Beach
state: California
city: San Francisco
country: United States
facility: VA Medical Center, San Francisco
state: California
city: Santa Maria
country: United States
facility: Pacific Arthritis Center (RAIN)
state: California
city: Sepulveda
country: United States
facility: VA Greater Los Angeles HCS, Sepulveda
state: California
city: Washington
country: United States
facility: VA Medical Center, DC
state: District of Columbia
city: Duluth
country: United States
facility: St. Mary's/ Duluth Clinic Health System (RAIN)
state: Minnesota
city: Minneapolis
country: United States
facility: Park Nicollet (RAIN)
state: Minnesota
city: Minneapolis
country: United States
facility: VA Medical Center, Minneapolis
state: Minnesota
city: Rochester
country: United States
facility: Mayo Clinic
state: Minnesota
city: St Louis
country: United States
facility: VA Medical Center, St Louis
state: Missouri
city: Lincoln
country: United States
facility: Lincoln Medical Center
state: Nebraska
city: Omaha
country: United States
facility: VA Medical Center, Omaha
state: Nebraska
city: Omaha
country: United States
facility: Univesity of Nebraska Medical Center
state: Nebraska
city: Bismarck
country: United States
facility: Bone, Spine Sports Clinic (RAIN)
state: North Dakota
city: Fargo
country: United States
facility: VA Medical Center, Fargo
state: North Dakota
city: Portland
country: United States
facility: VA Medical Center, Portland
state: Oregon
city: Danville
country: United States
facility: Geisinger Medical Center
state: Pennsylvania
city: Philadelphia
country: United States
facility: VA Medical Center, Philadelphia
state: Pennsylvania
city: Pittsburgh
country: United States
facility: VA Pittsburgh Health Care System
state: Pennsylvania
city: State College
country: United States
facility: Geisinger Medical Group - State College
state: Pennsylvania
city: Wyoming Valley
country: United States
facility: Geisinger Medical Group- Wilkes Barre
state: Pennsylvania
city: Charleston
country: United States
facility: Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston
state: South Carolina
city: Rapid City
country: United States
facility: Rapid City Medical Center (RAIN)
state: South Dakota
city: Sioux Falls
country: United States
facility: Avera Research Institute (RAIN)
state: South Dakota
city: Dallas
country: United States
facility: VA North Texas Health Care System, Dallas
state: Texas
city: Salt Lake City
country: United States
facility: VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City
state: Utah
city: White River Junction
country: United States
facility: VA Medical & Regional Office Center, White River
state: Vermont
city: Calgary
country: Canada
facility: University of Calgary (CRRC)
state: Alberta
city: Winnipeg
country: Canada
facility: University of Manitoba (CRRC)
state: Manitoba
city: Brampton
country: Canada
facility: Brampton (CRRC)
state: Ontario
city: Missassauga
country: Canada
facility: Credit Valley Rheumatology
state: Ontario
city: Newmarket
country: Canada
facility: Newmarket (CRRC)
state: Ontario
city: Toronto
country: Canada
facility: Mount Sinai Hospital (CRRC)
state: Ontario
city: Windsor
country: Canada
facility: Clinical Research and Arthritis Center
state: Ontario
city: Montreal
country: Canada
facility: Hopital Notre Dame (CRRC)
state: Quebec
city: Sherbrooke
country: Canada
facility: Crc-Chus (Crrc)
state: Quebec
Study officials:
affiliation: VA Medical Center, Omaha
name: James R. O'Dell
role: STUDY_CHAIR
References:
citation: O'Dell JR, Mikuls TR, Taylor TH, Ahluwalia V, Brophy M, Warren SR, Lew RA, Cannella AC, Kunkel G, Phibbs CS, Anis AH, Leatherman S, Keystone E; CSP 551 RACAT Investigators. Therapies for active rheumatoid arthritis after methotrexate failure. N Engl J Med. 2013 Jul 25;369(4):307-18. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1303006. Epub 2013 Jun 11.
citation: Peper SM, Lew R, Mikuls T, Brophy M, Rybin D, Wu H, O'Dell J. Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment After Methotrexate: The Durability of Triple Therapy Versus Etanercept. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2017 Oct;69(10):1467-1472. doi: 10.1002/acr.23255. Epub 2017 Sep 6.
citation: Quach LT, Chang BH, Brophy MT, Soe Thwin S, Hannagan K, O'Dell JR. Rheumatoid arthritis triple therapy compared with etanercept: difference in infectious and gastrointestinal adverse events. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2017 Mar 1;56(3):378-383. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/kew412.
citation: Bansback N, Keystone E, O'Dell J, Phibbs CS, Hannagan K, Brophy M, Anis A. Making smart investment decisions in clinical research. Trials. 2015 Dec 29;16:590. doi: 10.1186/s13063-015-1123-1.