Efficacy and Safety of Biosimilar CT-P47 Versus Reference Tocilizumab: 1-Year Results of a Randomised, Active-Controlled, Double-Blind, Phase III Study in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Background And Objective: This phase III study conducted in 22 centres in Poland assessed the efficacy equivalence of candidate tocilizumab biosimilar, CT-P47, and European Union-approved reference tocilizumab (r-TCZ) in rheumatoid arthritis. We report 1-year data, including switching from r-TCZ to CT-P47.

Methods: This active-controlled, double-blind, multicentre trial randomised (1:1) adults (aged 18-75 years) with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed for ≥ 24 weeks and treated with methotrextate for ≥ 12 weeks before the first study drug administration, to receive CT-P47 or r-TCZ every 4 weeks (8 mg/kg, intravenous) up to week 20.

CT-P17 Adalimumab Biosimilar in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Chronic Plaque Psoriasis: An Open-Label Extension of a Phase 3 Interchangeability Study.

Introduction: A 27-week analysis of this phase 3 study demonstrated the interchangeability of the adalimumab biosimilar CT-P17 and reference adalimumab. The current 52-week analysis reports secondary data from the open-label extension period (OLE) of the study.

Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, active-controlled phase 3 study, adults with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis received (via prefilled syringe) 80 mg subcutaneous reference adalimumab on day 1, then 40 mg 1 week later, and every other week (EOW) until week 11.

Repeated Switching Between CT-P17 and EU Reference Adalimumab in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Chronic Plaque Psoriasis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Active-Controlled, Phase 3, Interchangeability Study.

Introduction: This study aimed to demonstrate the interchangeability of biosimilar CT-P17 and European Union reference adalimumab (EU-adalimumab) in a repeated-switch scenario.

Methods: In this ongoing, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, phase 3 study, adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis received 80 mg EU-adalimumab on day 1, then 40 mg 1 week later and every other week until week 11. At week 13, patients were randomized (1:1, via an interactive web response system) to continue EU-adalimumab ("continuous" group) or undergo repeated switches between CT-P17 and EU-adalimumab ("switching" group).

Usability, efficacy, and safety of candidate tocilizumab biosimilar CT-P47 self-administration via auto-injector and pre-filled syringe in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a single-arm, open-label, phase 3 study.

Background: CT-P47 is a candidate tocilizumab biosimilar that is currently in clinical development. We assessed the usability of CT-P47 self-administration via auto-injector (AI) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Research Design And Methods: This was a 12-week, single-arm, open-label, multiple-dose, Phase 3 study.

Efficacy and Safety of Candidate Biosimilar CT-P43 Versus Originator Ustekinumab in Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis: 28-Week Results of a Randomised, Active-Controlled, Double-Blind, Phase III Study.

Background: CT-P43 is a candidate ustekinumab biosimilar in clinical development.

Objectives: This paper aims to demonstrate equivalent efficacy of CT-P43 to originator ustekinumab in adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

Methods: This double-blind, phase III trial randomised patients (1:1) to receive subcutaneous CT-P43 or originator ustekinumab (45/90 mg for patients with baseline body weight ≤ 100 kg/> 100 kg) at week 0 and week 4 in Treatment Period I.

Efficacy, pharmacokinetics and safety of subcutaneous versus intravenous CT-P13 in rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized phase I/III trial.

Objective: To assess non-inferiority of s.c. to i.

[Influence of genetic factors on development and severity of rheumatoid arthritis--part II].

In our previous paper we have presented recent advances in the knowledge of the genetic risk factors predisposing to rheumatoid arthritis development. In contrast to the progress that has been made in identification of genes responsible for susceptibility to RA, there is still little known about genetic risk factors of the more aggressive and (or) refractory RA. In this part of our review we present a detailed knowledge of the role of genetic factors in severity of RA.

[Influence of genetic factors on development and severity of rheumatoid arthritis--part I].

Both genetic and environmental factors affect susceptibility, severity and probably drugs' efficacy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). After initial completion of the Human Genome Project on the 16th February 2001, significant progress has been made in identifying other than HLA genome regions linked to the increased RA susceptibility. As an effect several new genes have been recognized as an HLA-independent genetic risk factors of RA.

[Amyloidosis--life threatening complication in rheumatoid arthritis patients].

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune disease leading to severe disability. A secondary amyloidosis (AA amyloidosis) affecting RA patient is a life threatening clinical complication of the illness. The most common symptoms of secondary amyloidosis include: proteinuria, erythrocyturia, abdominal pain and chronic diarrhoea.

Does low-dose and short-term glucocorticoids treatment increase the risk of osteoporosis in rheumatoid arthritis female patients?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is frequently complicated by peri-articular and generalized osteoporosis due to increased bone resorption by activated osteoclasts. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-alpha, interleukin 1 (IL1), and interleukin 6 (IL6) are thought, among other factors, to be directly responsible for this extra-articular complication of RA. Glucocorticoids (GCS) commonly prescribed in RA due to their strong anti-inflammatory effect are also well known for causing secondary osteoporosis during a prolonged use.

[Cyclophosphamide in the therapy of rheumatoid arthritis and its complications].

Cyclophosphamide has been used in the therapy of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for nearly fifty years. An experience gathered throughout that time helped to identify indications, profits, restrictions and side effects related to its use. As a result of the progress in RA therapy in the recent years, including introduction of anti - TNF alpha therapy, the importance of cyclophosphamide significantly decreased.