Peficitinib reduces rheumatoid arthritis symptoms in latest trial

A new rheumatoid arthritis JAK inhibitor called peficitinib has fared well in new trials, scientists outline in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

A total of 507 people with rheumatoid arthritis and an inadequate response to disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) were split into groups for 52 weeks: peficitinib 100mg once daily; peficitinib 150mg once daily; placebo but switched to peficitinib at week 12; or etanercept.

Reduction in numbers of tender and swollen joints and other measures at week 12 were higher in the peficitinib 100mg (58%) and 150 g (75%) groups versus placebo (31%). These were maintained throughout the 52-week study.

Lab tests of C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation levels favoured peficitinib versus placebo at week 12.

The level of adverse events was similar across treatment arms but incidence of serious infection and herpes zoster-related disease was higher with peficitinib versus placebo.

The scientists conclude:

“In patients with rheumatoid arthritis and inadequate response to DMARDs, peficitinib 100mg once daily or 150 mg once daily was efficacious in reducing rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and was well tolerated compared with placebo.”

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