AB0419 Real world use of tofacitinib in rheumatoid arthritis: data from latin america
Authors: EE Schneeberger, A Salas, LF Medina, JB Zacariaz, RD Mantilla, JC Sarmiento-Monroy, LJ Elizondo, B Garro, H Madariaga, L Gόrriz, RDN Giorgi, M Pinheiro, D Ponce de Leon
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2017)

<h3>Background</h3> Tofacitinib is an oral JAK inhibitor for the treatment of RA. Tofacitinib can be given as monotherapy or with csDMARDs. Published data on real world (RW) tofacitinib use in Latin America (LA) are limited. We characterise the patient (pt) population starting tofacitinib and gain insights into the safety profile in the RW LA setting. <h3>Methods</h3> Initial tofacitinib therapies in adult RA pts from 10 private/public centres in 6 countries (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, México, Panamá, Perú) were considered. Data were retrospectively obtained via a standardised format, focusing on demographics, drug history, adverse events (AEs), safety events of special interest, latent tuberculosis (TB) screening, selected confirmed laboratory abnormalities and discontinuation rates. Tofacitinib use as monotherapy or with csDMARDs was at the rheumatologist9s discretion. <h3>Results</h3> 288 pts with severe active RA were included; most were female (n=263; 91%), mean (SD) age was 51.3 (6.36) years (yrs) and mean (SD) disease duration was 10.4 (4.0) yrs. 89% of pts were RF+ or ACPA+. The max (range) follow-up period was 22 (10–34) months. Tofacitinib was given as 2nd-line therapy (post-csDMARD) in 44% of pts, after one biologic DMARD (bDMARD) in 18% of pts and after ≥2 bDMARDs in 38% of pts. Tofacitinib was given as monotherapy in 117/283 (41%) pts and with csDMARDs in 171/283 (59%) pts. Tofacitinib usage corresponds to 13% of advanced therapies (JAK inhibitors, bDMARDs and biosimilars). Thirty-eight AEs were observed; upper respiratory infections (n=11), skin infection (n=5), herpes zoster (HZ; n=4) and urinary infections (n=4) were most common. Gastrointestinal intolerance was seen in 2 pts. Three (1%) pts had serious infection events (SIEs); no opportunistic infections (OIs), including TB, occurred. All HZ cases (n=4; 1.4%) were monomeric, non-serious and resolved without complication after antiviral therapy. Before starting tofacitinib, 5 pts (1.7%) were vaccinated against HZ and 5.6% were diagnosed with latent TB. No active TB cases occurred with tofacitinib treatment. One malignancy (thyroid cancer) was reported. Severe (&gt;3 ULN) elevation of liver enzymes or increases of CPK above normal were infrequent (&lt;1%); no severe cytopenias were reported. Lipid increases occurred in 10% of pts. Tofacitinib was withdrawn in 40 pts (13.9%) due to lack of efficacy (n=20; 7%), AEs (n=11; 3.8%) or other reasons (n=9; 3.1%), such as loss of follow-up, pregnancy, access issues or travel. Limitations include limited pt numbers and follow-up of exposure. <h3>Conclusions</h3> In the RW LA setting, tofacitinib was used mostly as 2nd-line therapy; no new safety signals emerged vs clinical trials. SIEs and HZ were uncommon; no cases of TB/other OIs occurred, but were seen in the clinical program. <h3>Acknowledgements</h3> This study was sponsored by Pfizer Inc. Editorial support was provided by K Irving of CMC and funded by Pfizer Inc. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> E. Schneeberger: None declared, A. Salas Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Pfizer Inc, L. F. Medina: None declared, J. B. Zacariaz: None declared, R. D. Mantilla Grant/research support from: Abbott, AbbVie, Biopas, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Novartis, Pfizer Inc, Roche, Consultant for: Abbott, AbbVie, Biopas, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Novartis, Pfizer Inc, Roche, Speakers bureau: Abbott, AbbVie, Biopas, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Novartis, Pfizer Inc, Roche, J. C. Sarmiento-Monroy: None declared, L. J. Elizondo Grant/research support from: Amgen, Roche, Consultant for: Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, B. Garro: None declared, H. Madariaga: None declared, L. Gόrriz: None declared, R. D. N. Giorgi: None declared, M. Pinheiro Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc, D. Ponce de Leon Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc