Study: Predictors of Tofacitinib Success in RA Patients

A recent study found that tofacitinib effectively improved clinical, imaging, and biomarker end-points results in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and baseline multi-biomarker disease activity (MBDA) and power Doppler US (PDUS) scores may serve as predictors. 

Eligibility criteria included a baseline disease activity score (DAS28) of > 3.2 and PDUS score > 10. Patients (n = 25; mean age, 52 years; mean disease duration, 10.4 years, 88% were female; 40% were Caucasian) received a 5 mg oral dose of open-label tofacitinib twice a day and were evaluated at baseline, two weeks, and 12 weeks. Patients underwent musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) at each visit for PDUS and gray scale ultrasound (GSUS) and were also evaluated for MBDA score, clinical disease activity index (CDAI), and DAS28. 

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The mean DAS28 at baseline was 6.26, and mean CDAI was 40. At final follow-up, all patients showed significant improvement in PDUS, GSUS, MBDA score, DAS28, and CDAI. Researchers observed a significant correlation in 12-week changes in MBDA/MSUS with 12-week changes in CDAI/DAS28 in all except for GSUS with DAS28. After two weeks, changes in PDUS or GSUS indicated a significant 12-week change in DAS28 response. Initial PDUS, GSUS, and MBDA score indicated 12-week CDAI or DAS28 responses, except in GSUS with DAS28 response. 

The study’s findings were presented at the annual American College of Rheumatology meeting. 

The researchers wrote in their abstract, “This study showed that RA patients treated with tofacitinib for 12 weeks demonstrated significant responses with clinical, imaging, and biomarker end-points. In addition, baseline PDUS and MBDA score were predictive of the DAS28 and CDAI response at 12 weeks.” 

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Source: American College of Rheumatology