Musculoskeletal Diseases

All Conditions

Symptoms and General Pathology

Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases

Immune System Diseases

Arthritis

Necrosis

Arthritis, Rheumatoid

Joint Diseases

Rheumatic Diseases

Collagen Diseases

Connective Tissue Diseases

Autoimmune Diseases

Antineoplastic Agents

Antirheumatic Agents

Dermatologic Agents

Reproductive Control Agents

All Drugs and Chemicals

Anti-Inflammatory Agents

Micronutrients

Hematinics

Vitamins

Methotrexate

Adalimumab

Antimetabolites

Enzyme Inhibitors

Folic Acid

Vitamin B Complex

Folic Acid Antagonists

Immunosuppressive Agents

Immunologic Factors

Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors

Folinic Acid

Folate

Vitamin B9

Combination therapy with methotrexate (MTX) and blinded adalimumab (ADA) during Period 1, MTX monotherapy plus blinded placebo (PBO) during Period 2

Combination therapy with methotrexate (MTX) and blinded adalimumab (ADA) during Period 1 and Period 2

Combination therapy with methotrexate (MTX) and blinded adalimumab (ADA) during Period 1, open-label combination therapy with ADA + MTX during Period 2

Methotrexate (MTX) monotherapy plus blinded placebo (PBO) during Period 1 and Period 2

Methotrexate (MTX) monotherapy plus blinded placebo (PBO) during Period 1, open-label combination therapy with adalimumab (ADA) and MTX during Period 2.

Adalimumab 40 mg/0.8 mL prefilled syringe injected subcutaneously (SC) every other week (eow)

adalimumab

Methotrexate 2.5 mg tablets administered orally once a week starting at 7.5 mg/week with dose escalation (weekly or every other week) by 2.5 mg intervals to 20 mg/week.

methotrexate

Placebo for adalimumab 0.8 mL prefilled syringe injected subcutaneously (SC) every other week (eow)

placebo

Laura Redden, MD, PhD

This study compared the safety and efficacy of combination therapy with adalimumab plus methotrexate (MTX) to that of MTX monotherapy (i.e., placebo plus MTX) in subjects with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

This was a 78-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, double-treatment period study designed to compare the safety and efficacy of adalimumab and MTX with placebo and MTX in subjects with early RA. Subjects were randomized to receive adalimumab 40 mg every other week (eow) or placebo subcutaneous injections in combination with orally administered MTX for 26 weeks (Period 1). All subjects in all arms received open-label MTX weekly throughout the study (both Period 1 and Period 2).

At Weeks 22 and 26, subjects were assessed for achievement of low disease activity, defined as a DAS28 score below 3.2. DAS28 is a measure of RA disease activity calculated using the number of tender and swollen joints (out of a total of 28), C-reactive protein level (CRP, a blood marker of inflammation), and the patient's global assessment of disease activity (indicated by marking a 10 cm line between very good and very bad). Subjects who achieved low disease activity at Week 22 and 26 in the adalimumab arm at the end of Period 1 were randomized to receive MTX monotherapy (placebo and MTX) or combination therapy (adalimumab and MTX) in a 1:1 ratio for the duration of Period 2 (52 weeks, i.e., to Week 78 of the study). Subjects achieving low disease activity at Week 22 and 26 in the placebo arm (MTX monotherapy) at the end of Period 1 continued to receive MTX monotherapy (and placebo injections in a blinded fashion) for the duration of Period 2. Subjects failing to achieve low disease activity at Week 22 and 26 at the end of Period 1 received open-label combination therapy during Period 2 regardless of treatment assignment in Period 1.

Study of the Optimal Protocol for Methotrexate and Adalimumab Combination Therapy in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis

A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Period, Double - Blind Study to Determine the Optimal Protocol for Treatment Initiation With Methotrexate and Adalimumab Combination Therapy in Patients With Early Rheumatoid Arthritis (OPTIMA)

The Disease Activity Score (DAS28) is calculated using the number of tender and swollen joints (out of 28 counted), C-reactive protein level, and the patient's global assessment of disease activity. The calculated range of DAS28 is 0.49 to 9.07, with scores below 3.2 indicating low disease activity. For the modified Total Sharp score (mTSS), x-rays of hand/wrist and feet joints are scored for erosions (0 to 5) and joint space narrowing (0 to 4). The erosion score and the narrowing score are added to determine the total score, which ranges from 0 (no damage) to 448.

The Disease Activity Score (DAS28) is calculated using the number of tender and swollen joints (out of 28 counted), C-reactive protein level, and the patient's global assessment of disease activity. The calculated range of DAS28 is 0.49 to 9.07. A DAS28 less than 2.6 indicates clinical remission, DAS28 2.6 to 3.2 indicates low disease activity, DAS28 3.2 to less than 5.1 indicates moderate disease activity, and DAS28 of 5.1 or greater indicates high disease activity.

For the modified Total Sharp score (mTSS), x-rays of hand/wrist and feet joints are scored for erosions (0 to 5) and joint space narrowing (0 to 4). The erosion score and the narrowing score are added to determine the total score, which ranges from 0 (no damage) to 448. An increase in mTSS from baseline represents disease progression and/or joint worsening, no change represents halting of disease progression, and a decrease represents improvement.

Subjects were responders if they had greater than or equal to 20% improvement in tender joint count; greater than or equal to 20% improvement in swollen joint count; and greater than or equal to 20% improvement in at least 3 of 5 remaining ACR core measures: patient assessment of pain; patient global assessment of disease activity; physician global assessment of disease activity; self-assessed disability (disability index of the Health Assessment Questionnaire \[HAQ\]); and acute phase reactant (C-reactive protein).

Subjects were responders if they had: greater than or equal to 50% improvement in tender joint count; greater than or equal to 50% improvement in swollen joint count; and greater than or equal to 50% improvement in at least 3 of 5 remaining ACR core measures: patient assessment of pain; patient global assessment of disease activity; physician global assessment of disease activity; self-assessed disability (disability index of the Health Assessment Questionnaire \[HAQ\]); and acute phase reactant (C-reactive protein).

Subjects were responders if they had: greater than or equal to 70% improvement in tender joint count; greater than or equal to 70% improvement in swollen joint count; and greater than or equal to 70% improvement in at least 3 of 5 remaining ACR core measures: patient assessment of pain; patient global assessment of disease activity; physician global assessment of disease activity; self-assessed disability (disability index of the Health Assessment Questionnaire \[HAQ\]); and acute phase reactant (C-reactive protein).

The CDAI is calculated using number of swollen joints (28 joints assessed), number of tender joints (28 joints assessed), patient's global assessment of disease activity, and physician's global assessment of disease activity. Scores range from 0 to 76.0, with a higher score reflecting worsening disease.

The SDAI is calculated using number of swollen joints (28 joints assessed), number of tender joints (28 joints assessed), patient's global assessment of disease activity, physician's global assessment of disease activity, and acute phase reactant (C-reactive protein). Scores range from 0.1 to 86.0, with a higher score reflecting worsening disease.

Synovitis was assessed using high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the hand and wrist. Images were read and scored according to the Outcomes Measures in Rheumatology Clinical Trials' Rheumatoid Arthritis MRI Scoring System (OMERACT RAMRIS). Synovitis in the wrist and finger joints in the most affected hand was scored from 0 (normal) to 3 (severe), for a maximum total score of 21.

In the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI), participants rated their ability to perform daily tasks on a scale of 0 (without any difficulty) to 3 (unable to do). A mean score of 0-1 represents mild to moderate functional disability, 1-2 represents moderate to severe, 2-3 severe to very severe disability. For the modified Total Sharp score (mTSS), x-rays of hand/wrist and feet joints are scored for erosions (0 to 5) and joint space narrowing (0 to 4). The erosion score and the narrowing score are added to determine the total score, which ranges from 0 (no damage) to 448.

In the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI), a score of 0-1 represents mild to moderate, 1-2 moderate to severe, 2-3 severe to very severe disability. The modified Total Sharp score (mTSS) ranges from 0 (no joint damage) to 448 (worst joint damage). American College of Rheumatology 70% (ACR70) response indicates at least 70% improvement in tender and swollen joint counts and at least 3 of 5 remaining ACR core measures: patient assessment of pain; patient global assessment of disease activity; physician global assessment of disease activity; HAQ-DI; and C-reactive protein.

In the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI), a score of 0-1 represents mild to moderate, 1-2 moderate to severe, 2-3 severe to very severe disability. The modified Total Sharp score (mTSS) ranges from 0 (no joint damage) to 448 (severe joint damage). The Disease Activity Score (DAS28) ranges from 0.49 to 9.07, with scores less than 2.6 indicating clinical remission.

Abbott

Blinded combination ADA+MTX therapy during Period 1 and blinded MTX monotherapy during Period 2

ADA+MTX/PBO+MTX (Arm 1)

Blinded combination ADA+MTX therapy during Period 1 and Period 2

ADA+MTX/ADA+MTX (Arm 2)

Blinded combination therapy during Period 1, open-label combination therapy during Period 2

ADA+MTX/OL ADA+MTX (Arm 3)

Blinded MTX monotherapy during Period 1 and Period 2

PBO+MTX/PBO+MTX (Arm 4)

Blinded MTX monotherapy during Period 1, open-label combination therapy during Period 2

PBO+MTX/OL ADA+MTX (Arm 5)

Combination therapy with methotrexate (MTX) and blinded adalimumab (ADA) during Period 1

Period 1 ADA+MTX

Combination therapy with methotrexate (MTX) and blinded placebo (PBO) during Period 1

Period 1 PBO+MTX

ADA+MTX

Methotrexate (MTX) monotherapy plus blinded placebo(PBO) during Period 1

PBO+MTX

Combination therapy with methotrexate (MTX) and blinded adalimumab (ADA)during Period 1, MTX monotherapy plus blinded placebo (PBO) during Period 2

Combination therapy with methotrexate (MTX) and blinded adalimumab (ADA) during Period 1, open-label combination therapy with ADA and MTX during Period 2

Methotrexate (MTX) monotherapy plus blinded placebo (PBO) during Period 1, open-label combination therapy with adalimumab (ADA) and MTX during Period 2

Total

<=18 years

Between 18 and 65 years

>=65 years

Age Categorical

Age Continuous

Female

Male

Gender

Argentina

Australia

Austria

Belgium

Canada

Czech Republic

France

Germany

Hungary

Mexico

Netherlands

New Zealand

Norway

Poland

Slovakia

South Africa

Spain

Sweden

United Kingdom

United States

Region of Enrollment

Global Medical Services

The analysis was performed on the ITT Population comprised of all subjects who entered Period 2 and received at least 1 dose of study drug (blinded or open-label) during Period 2. Nonresponder imputation was used for missing data.

Number of Subjects With Low Disease Activity (DAS28 Less Than 3.2) and No Radiographic Progression From Baseline (Change in mTSS Less Than or Equal to 0.5) at Week 78, Arm 2 vs. Arm 4

Number of Subjects With Low Disease Activity (DAS28 Less Than 3.2) and No Radiographic Progression From Baseline (Change in mTSS Less Than or Equal to 0.5) at Week 78, Arm 2 vs. Arm 1

Number of Subjects With DAS28 Low Disease Activity (DAS28 Less Than 3.2) at Week 78

Number of Subjects With DAS28 Remission (DAS28 Less Than 2.6) at Week 78

Number of Subjects With No Radiographic Progression (Change From Baseline in mTSS Less Than or Equal to 0.5) at Week 78

Number of Subjects Meeting American College of Rheumatology 20% (ACR20) Response Criteria at Week 78

Number of Subjects Meeting American College of Rheumatology 50% (ACR50) Response Criteria at Week 78

Number of Subjects Meeting American College of Rheumatology 70% (ACR70) Response Criteria at Week 78

Change From Baseline in DAS28 Score at Week 78

Number of Subjects With Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) Low Disease Activity (CDAI Less Than or Equal to 10) at Week 78

Number of Subjects With Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) Low Disease Activity (SDAI Less Than or Equal to 11) at Week 78

Number of Subjects With Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) Remission (CDAI Less Than or Equal to 2.8) at Week 78

Number of Subjects With Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) Remission (SDAI Less Than or Equal to 3.3) at Week 78

Change From Baseline in CDAI Score at Week 78

Change From Baseline in SDAI Score at Week 78

The analysis is based on the Primary Analysis Set, a subset of the ITT Analysis Set that includes subjects who participated in the 78-week HF MRI substudy and whose Baseline HF MRI data were collected on or before the first study drug dose. Observed scores are used in the analysis.

Change From Baseline in Synovitis Score According to the Rheumatoid Arthritis Magnetic Resonance Imaging (RA MRI) Scoring System (RAMRIS) at Week 78

Number of Subjects With No Radiographic Progression (Change From Baseline in mTSS of Less Than or Equal to 0.5) and Normal Function (HAQ-DI Less Than 0.5) at Week 78

Number of Subjects With No Radiographic Progression (Change From Baseline in mTSS of Less Than or Equal to 0.5), Normal Function (HAQ-DI Less Than or Equal to 0.5), and ACR70 Response at Week 78

Number of Subjects With No Radiographic Progression (Change From Baseline in mTSS of Less Than or Equal to 0.5), Normal Function (HAQ-DI Less Than 0.5), and DAS28 Remission (DAS28 Less Than 2.6) at Week 78

Methotrexate (MTX) monotherapy plus blinded placebo during Period 1

Study title	NCT ID	Conditions	Interventions	Eligibility	Organization	Link
Study of the Optimal Protocol for Methotrexate and Adalimumab Combination Therapy in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis	NCT00420927	Rheumatoid Arth...	adalimumab methotrexate placebo	18 Years -	Abbott
Study of the Optimal Protocol for Methotrexate and Adalimumab Combination Therapy in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis	NCT00420927	Rheumatoid Arth...	adalimumab methotrexate placebo	18 Years -	Abbott

Spots Global Cancer Trial Database for early rheumatoid arthritis