Results from a Phase IIA Parallel Group Study of JNJ-40346527, an Oral CSF-1R Inhibitor, in Patients with Active Rheumatoid Arthritis despite Disease-modifying Antirheumatic Drug Therapy. journal of rheumatology Genovese, M. C., Hsia, E., Belkowski, S. M., Chien, C., Masterson, T., Thurmond, R. L., Manthey, C. L., Yan, X. D., Ge, T., Franks, C., Greenspan, A. 2015; 42 (10): 1752-1760

Abstract

To assess the efficacy and safety of JNJ-40346527, a selective inhibitor of colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) receptor kinase that acts to inhibit macrophage survival, proliferation, and differentiation in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) despite disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy.In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study, adults were randomized (2:1) to receive oral JNJ-40346527 100 mg or placebo twice daily through Week 12. Patients with RA had disease activity [= 6 swollen/= 6 tender joints, C-reactive protein (CRP) = 0.8 mg/dl] despite DMARD therapy for = 6 months. The primary endpoint was change from baseline at Week 12 in the 28-joint Disease Activity Score with CRP (DAS28-CRP). Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analyses were also performed, and safety was assessed through Week 16.Ninety-five patients were treated (63 JNJ-40346527, 32 placebo); 8 patients discontinued treatment (6 JNJ-40346527, 2 placebo) through Week 12. Mean improvements in DAS28-CRP from baseline to Week 12 were 1.15 for the JNJ-40346527 group and 1.42 for the placebo group (p = 0.30); thus, a statistically significant difference was not observed for the primary endpoint. Pharmacokinetic exposure to JNJ-40346527 and its active metabolites was above the projected concentration needed for pharmacologic activity, and effective target engagement and proof of activity were demonstrated by increased levels of CSF-1 and decreased CD16+ monocytes in JNJ-40346527-treated, but not placebo-treated, patients. Thirty-seven (58.7%) JNJ-40346527-treated and 16 (50.0%) placebo-treated patients reported = 1 adverse event (AE); 1 (1.6%) JNJ-40346527-treated and 3 (9.4%) placebo-treated patients reported = 1 serious AE.Although adequate exposure and effective peripheral target engagement were evident, JNJ-40346527 efficacy was not observed in patients with DMARD-refractory active RA. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01597739. EudraCT Number: 2011-004529-28.

View details for DOI 10.3899/jrheum.141580

View details for PubMedID 26233509