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A Study of MabThera (Rituximab) in Combination With Methotrexate in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Who Have Had an Inadequate Response to Anti-TNF Therapies.

An Open-label Study to Evaluate the Effect of MabThera in Combination With Methotrexate on Treatment Response in Patients With Active Rheumatoid Arthritis Who Have Had an Inadequate Response to Anti-TNF Therapies

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT00462345
Enrollment
40
Registered
2007-04-19
Start date
2007-06-30
Completion date
2009-07-31
Last updated
2014-11-04

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Brief summary

This single arm study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of MabThera in combination with methotrexate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate response to one or more anti-TNF therapies. Patients will receive MabThera 1000mg i.v. on days 1 and 15, and methotrexate (10-25mg/week p.o. or parenteral), together with methylprednisolone 100mg i.v. prior to infusion of MabThera. After week 24, eligible patients may receive re-treatment. The anticipated time on study treatment is 3-12 months, and the target sample size is \<100 individuals.

Interventions

DRUGrituximab

1000 mg i.v. on Days 1 and 15

DRUGMethotrexate

10 to 25 mg/week p.o. or parenteral from Day 1 through Week 24

DRUGCorticosteroid or NSAID

≤10 mg/day prednisone p.o., or equivalent corticosteroid, or NSAIDs p.o. from Day 1 through Week 24

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTFolate

≥5 mg/week, once daily or b.i.d. from Day 1 through Week 24

Sponsors

Hoffmann-La Roche
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* adult patients, 18-80 years of age; * rheumatoid arthritis for \>=6 months; * receiving outpatient treatment; * an inadequate response to at least one anti-TNF therapy; * stable methotrexate for \>=12 weeks.

Exclusion criteria

* other rheumatic autoimmune disease or inflammatory joint disease; * previous treatment with MabThera; * concurrent treatment with any DMARD (apart from methotrexate), anti-TNF alpha therapy, or other biologic agent.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Percentage of Participants With An American College of Rheumatology 20 Percent (%) Improvement Criteria (ACR20) Response at Week 24Week 24ACR20 response: ≥20% improvement in tender joint count; ≥20% improvement in swollen joint count; and ≥20% improvement in at least 3 of 5 remaining ACR core measures: Patient Assessment of Pain; Patient Global Assessment of Disease Activity (PtGA); Physician Global Assessment of Disease Activity (PGA); self-assessed disability (disability index of the Health Assessment Questionnaire \[HAQ-DI\]); and either C-Reactive Protein (CRP) or erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Percentage of Participants With An American College of Rheumatology 70% Improvement Criteria (ACR70) Response at Week 24Week 24ACR70 response: ≥70% improvement in tender joint count; ≥70% improvement in swollen joint count; and ≥70% improvement in at least 3 of 5 remaining ACR core measures: Patient Assessment of Pain; PtGA; PGA; self-assessed disability (HAQ-DI); and either CRP or ESR.
Disease Activity Score Based on 28-Joint Count (DAS-28)Baseline and Week 24DAS28 was calculated from the number of swollen joints and tender joints using the 28 joints count, the ESR (millimeters per hour \[mm/hr\]) and PtGA of disease activity with transformed scores ranging 0 to 10; higher scores indicated greater affectation due to disease activity. DAS28 ≤3.2 equals (=) low disease activity, DAS28 greater than (\>)3.2 to 5.1 = moderate to high disease activity.
Percentage of Participants With Change in DAS-28 From BL to Week 24 of ≥1.2Baseline, Week 24DAS28 was calculated from the number of swollen joints and tender joints using the 28 joints count, the ESR (mm/hr) and PtGA of disease activity with transformed scores ranging 0 to 10; higher scores indicated greater affectation due to disease activity.
Patient Assessment of Pain (VAS)Baseline, Weeks 24 and 48The mean score of pain at Week 0 (baseline) and the change from Week 0 to Weeks 24 and 48 as assessed by participants using a 100-mm horizontal VAS, where the left endpoint indicated No pain, and the right endpoint indicated Unbearable pain. A negative change indicated improvement.
Percentage of Participants With DAS Response by European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Category at Week 24Week 24The percentage of participants categorized as good, moderate, or nonresponders according to the EULAR response criteria at Week 24. Participants were categorized as good responders if the intensity of their symptoms was in the low disease activity (DAS28 less than \[\<\]3.2) category after treatment, and their symptoms significantly decreased to \>1.2. Participants were categorized as moderate responders if the intensity of their symptoms was in the moderate or high disease activity (DAS28 \>3.2) category after treatment, and the symptoms significantly decreased to \>1.2; or if the intensity of their symptoms was in the low or moderate disease activity (DAS28 \<5.1) category, and the DAS28 score changed more than 0.6 or 1.2 or less. Participants were categorized as non-responders if they did not fall into the good or moderate categories.
Swollen Join Count (SJC)Baseline, Weeks 24 and 48Number of swollen joints was determined by examination of 66 joints (as assessed through pressing and palpating during the physical examination) and identifying when swelling was present. The number of swollen joints was recorded on the joint assessment form at each visit as swollen or not swollen.
Tender Joint Count (TJC)Baseline, Weeks 24 and 48Number of tender joints was determined by examination of 68 joints (as assessed through pressing and palpating during the physical examination) and identifying when swelling was present. The number of tender joints was recorded on the joint assessment form at each visit as either tender or not tender.
Patient Global Assessment of Disease Activity (VAS)Baseline, Weeks 24 and 48The mean score of the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) at Week 0 (baseline) and the change from Week 0 to Weeks 24 and 48 as assessed by participants using a 100 mm horizontal VAS, where the left endpoint indicated No disease activity (no symptom, or no symptom of RA), and the right endpoint indicated Maximum disease activity (maximum RA activity). A negative change from Baseline indicated improvement.
Percentage of Participants With An American College of Rheumatology 50% Improvement Criteria (ACR50) Response at Week 24Week 24ACR50 response: ≥50% improvement in tender joint count; ≥50% improvement in swollen joint count; and ≥50% improvement in at least 3 of 5 remaining ACR core measures: Patient Assessment of Pain; PtGA; PGA; self-assessed disability (HAQ-DI); and either CRP or ESR.
C-reactive Protein (CRP) LevelBaseline, Weeks 24 and 48The mean level of CRP in milligrams per liter (mg/L), an acute phase reactant, at Week 0 and the change from Week 0 to Weeks 24 and 48.
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)Baseline, Weeks 24 and 48The mean level of ESR (in mm/hr), an acute phase reactant, at Week 0 and the change from Week 0 to Weeks 24 and 48.
HAQ-DI ScoreBaseline, Weeks 24 and 48HAQ-DI: participant-reported assessment of ability to perform tasks in 8 categories of daily living activities: dress/groom; arise; eat; walk; reach; grip; hygiene; and common activities over past week. Each item scored on 4-point scale from 0 to 3: 0=no difficulty; 1=some difficulty; 2=much difficulty; 3=unable to do. Overall score was computed as the sum of domain scores and divided by the number of domains answered. Total possible score range 0-3 where 0 = least difficulty and 3 = extreme difficulty.
Physical Function as Assessed by Short Form 36 (SF-36)Screening, Weeks 24 and 48SF-36 is a standardized survey evaluating 8 aspects of functional health and well being: physical and social functioning, physical and emotional role limitations, bodily pain, general health, vitality, mental health. The score for a section is an average of the individual question scores, which are scaled 0-100 (100=highest level of functioning).
SF-36 Mental Component ScoresScreening, Weeks 24 and 48SF-36 is a standardized survey evaluating 8 aspects of functional health and well being: physical and social functioning, physical and emotional role limitations, bodily pain, general health, vitality, mental health. The score for a section is an average of the individual question scores, which are scaled 0-100 (100=highest level of functioning).
Modified Total Sharp-Genant Score (mTSS)Screening and Weeks 24 and 48Posterior-anterior (PA) radiograph of each hand and anterior-posterior (AP) radiograph of each foot were taken separately and assessed according to Genant's method as modified from Sharp's method. The Sharp-Genant score=total of the erosion score and the joint space narrowing (JSN) score of all the hands and feet. Erosion Score: 14 locations in each hand and wrist and 6 joints in the foot were evaluated for erosion using an 8-point scale where 0=Normal to 3.5=very severe erosion. JSN Score:13 locations in each hand and wrist and 6 joints in the foot were evaluated for joint narrowing score using a 9-point scale where 0=Normal to 4.0=definite ankylosis (stiffness or fixation of a joint). Maximum total erosion score in hands=100 and in feet=42; maximum scores for JSN in the hands=100 and in feet=48. Maximum modified Sharp score achievable is 290. A lower number change from Baseline indicated a better score. Change in scores was calculated as change=final score minus initial score.
Modified Sharp Radiographic Erosion Score (ES)Screening, Weeks 24 and 48Erosion Score: A total of 14 locations in each hand and wrist and 6 joints in the foot were evaluated for erosion using an 8-point scale where 0=Normal to 3.5=very severe erosion. Maximum total erosion score in the hands was 100 and in the feet was 42, for a maximum overall score of 142. Total erosion score was for both hands and feet.
Modified Sharp Radiographic Joint Space Narrowing Score (JSN)Screening, Weeks 24 and 48JSN Score: A total of 13 locations in each hand and wrist and 6 joints in the foot were evaluated for joint narrowing score using a 9-point scale where 0=Normal to 4.0=definite ankylosis (stiffness or fixation of a joint). Maximum total scores for JSN in the hands was 100 and in the feet was 48, for a maximum overall score of 148. Total JSN was for both hands and feet.
Physician Global Assessment of Disease Activity (VAS)Baseline, Weeks 24 and 48The mean score of the symptoms of RA at Week 0 and the change from Week 0 (baseline) to Weeks 24 and 48 as assessed by investigators using a 100-mm horizontal VAS, where the left endpoint indicated No disease activity (no symptom, or no symptom of RA), and the right endpoint indicated Maximum disease activity (maximum RA activity). A negative change from Baseline indicated improvement.

Countries

South Korea

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Rituximab, Methotrexate
Participants received rituximab 1000 mg, IV, on Day 1 and Day 15; methylprednisolone 100 mg, IV, was administered 30 minutes before each infusion of rituximab. Participants also received MTX 10 to 25 mg/week, PO or parenterally, and folate at a stable dose of ≥5 mg/week, PO, either as a single dose or as divided daily doses from Day 1 through Week 24. Participants also received prednisone ≤10 mg/day, PO, OR equivalent corticosteroid, OR NSAIDs, PO, from Day 1 through Week 24. Eligible participants who completed the first 24-week course were entered into a second course.
40
Total40

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000
Overall StudyDid not complete second course1
Overall StudyWithdrawal by Subject2

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicRituximab, Methotrexate
Age, Continuous49.9 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.4
Sex: Female, Male
Female
34 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
6 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
— / —
other
Total, other adverse events
38 / 40
serious
Total, serious adverse events
6 / 40

Outcome results

Primary

Percentage of Participants With An American College of Rheumatology 20 Percent (%) Improvement Criteria (ACR20) Response at Week 24

ACR20 response: ≥20% improvement in tender joint count; ≥20% improvement in swollen joint count; and ≥20% improvement in at least 3 of 5 remaining ACR core measures: Patient Assessment of Pain; Patient Global Assessment of Disease Activity (PtGA); Physician Global Assessment of Disease Activity (PGA); self-assessed disability (disability index of the Health Assessment Questionnaire \[HAQ-DI\]); and either C-Reactive Protein (CRP) or erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).

Time frame: Week 24

Population: ITT population

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Rituximab, MethotrexatePercentage of Participants With An American College of Rheumatology 20 Percent (%) Improvement Criteria (ACR20) Response at Week 2447.5 percentage of participants
Secondary

C-reactive Protein (CRP) Level

The mean level of CRP in milligrams per liter (mg/L), an acute phase reactant, at Week 0 and the change from Week 0 to Weeks 24 and 48.

Time frame: Baseline, Weeks 24 and 48

Population: ITT population

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Rituximab, MethotrexateC-reactive Protein (CRP) LevelWeek 03.80 mg/LStandard Deviation 4.32
Rituximab, MethotrexateC-reactive Protein (CRP) LevelChange at Week 24-1.54 mg/LStandard Deviation 3.85
Rituximab, MethotrexateC-reactive Protein (CRP) LevelChange at Week 48-2.23 mg/LStandard Deviation 3.01
Secondary

Disease Activity Score Based on 28-Joint Count (DAS-28)

DAS28 was calculated from the number of swollen joints and tender joints using the 28 joints count, the ESR (millimeters per hour \[mm/hr\]) and PtGA of disease activity with transformed scores ranging 0 to 10; higher scores indicated greater affectation due to disease activity. DAS28 ≤3.2 equals (=) low disease activity, DAS28 greater than (\>)3.2 to 5.1 = moderate to high disease activity.

Time frame: Baseline and Week 24

Population: ITT population

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Rituximab, MethotrexateDisease Activity Score Based on 28-Joint Count (DAS-28)Change at Week 24-1.45 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.94
Rituximab, MethotrexateDisease Activity Score Based on 28-Joint Count (DAS-28)Week 06.76 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.02
Rituximab, MethotrexateDisease Activity Score Based on 28-Joint Count (DAS-28)Week 245.31 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.16
Secondary

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)

The mean level of ESR (in mm/hr), an acute phase reactant, at Week 0 and the change from Week 0 to Weeks 24 and 48.

Time frame: Baseline, Weeks 24 and 48

Population: ITT population

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Rituximab, MethotrexateErythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)Change at Week 24-23.4 mm/hrStandard Deviation 27.1
Rituximab, MethotrexateErythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)Week 077.2 mm/hrStandard Deviation 28.6
Rituximab, MethotrexateErythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)Change at Week 48-36.1 mm/hrStandard Deviation 26
Secondary

HAQ-DI Score

HAQ-DI: participant-reported assessment of ability to perform tasks in 8 categories of daily living activities: dress/groom; arise; eat; walk; reach; grip; hygiene; and common activities over past week. Each item scored on 4-point scale from 0 to 3: 0=no difficulty; 1=some difficulty; 2=much difficulty; 3=unable to do. Overall score was computed as the sum of domain scores and divided by the number of domains answered. Total possible score range 0-3 where 0 = least difficulty and 3 = extreme difficulty.

Time frame: Baseline, Weeks 24 and 48

Population: ITT population

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Rituximab, MethotrexateHAQ-DI ScoreWeek 01.66 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.7
Rituximab, MethotrexateHAQ-DI ScoreChange at Week 24-0.34 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.58
Rituximab, MethotrexateHAQ-DI ScoreChange at Week 48-0.53 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.64
Secondary

Modified Sharp Radiographic Erosion Score (ES)

Erosion Score: A total of 14 locations in each hand and wrist and 6 joints in the foot were evaluated for erosion using an 8-point scale where 0=Normal to 3.5=very severe erosion. Maximum total erosion score in the hands was 100 and in the feet was 42, for a maximum overall score of 142. Total erosion score was for both hands and feet.

Time frame: Screening, Weeks 24 and 48

Population: ITT population

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Rituximab, MethotrexateModified Sharp Radiographic Erosion Score (ES)Screening25.2 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 25.1
Rituximab, MethotrexateModified Sharp Radiographic Erosion Score (ES)Change at Week 240.18 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.42
Rituximab, MethotrexateModified Sharp Radiographic Erosion Score (ES)Change at Week 480.49 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.89
Secondary

Modified Sharp Radiographic Joint Space Narrowing Score (JSN)

JSN Score: A total of 13 locations in each hand and wrist and 6 joints in the foot were evaluated for joint narrowing score using a 9-point scale where 0=Normal to 4.0=definite ankylosis (stiffness or fixation of a joint). Maximum total scores for JSN in the hands was 100 and in the feet was 48, for a maximum overall score of 148. Total JSN was for both hands and feet.

Time frame: Screening, Weeks 24 and 48

Population: ITT population. 39 participants were analyzed for this outcome measure.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Rituximab, MethotrexateModified Sharp Radiographic Joint Space Narrowing Score (JSN)Screening54.3 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 27.6
Rituximab, MethotrexateModified Sharp Radiographic Joint Space Narrowing Score (JSN)Change at Week 240.08 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.24
Rituximab, MethotrexateModified Sharp Radiographic Joint Space Narrowing Score (JSN)Change at Week 480.15 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.51
Secondary

Modified Total Sharp-Genant Score (mTSS)

Posterior-anterior (PA) radiograph of each hand and anterior-posterior (AP) radiograph of each foot were taken separately and assessed according to Genant's method as modified from Sharp's method. The Sharp-Genant score=total of the erosion score and the joint space narrowing (JSN) score of all the hands and feet. Erosion Score: 14 locations in each hand and wrist and 6 joints in the foot were evaluated for erosion using an 8-point scale where 0=Normal to 3.5=very severe erosion. JSN Score:13 locations in each hand and wrist and 6 joints in the foot were evaluated for joint narrowing score using a 9-point scale where 0=Normal to 4.0=definite ankylosis (stiffness or fixation of a joint). Maximum total erosion score in hands=100 and in feet=42; maximum scores for JSN in the hands=100 and in feet=48. Maximum modified Sharp score achievable is 290. A lower number change from Baseline indicated a better score. Change in scores was calculated as change=final score minus initial score.

Time frame: Screening and Weeks 24 and 48

Population: ITT population

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Rituximab, MethotrexateModified Total Sharp-Genant Score (mTSS)Screening79.5 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 48.5
Rituximab, MethotrexateModified Total Sharp-Genant Score (mTSS)Change at Week 240.26 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.55
Rituximab, MethotrexateModified Total Sharp-Genant Score (mTSS)Change at Week 480.64 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.16
Secondary

Patient Assessment of Pain (VAS)

The mean score of pain at Week 0 (baseline) and the change from Week 0 to Weeks 24 and 48 as assessed by participants using a 100-mm horizontal VAS, where the left endpoint indicated No pain, and the right endpoint indicated Unbearable pain. A negative change indicated improvement.

Time frame: Baseline, Weeks 24 and 48

Population: ITT population

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Rituximab, MethotrexatePatient Assessment of Pain (VAS)Week 069.3 mmStandard Deviation 20.7
Rituximab, MethotrexatePatient Assessment of Pain (VAS)Change at Week 24-16.8 mmStandard Deviation 26.1
Rituximab, MethotrexatePatient Assessment of Pain (VAS)Change at Week 48-28.2 mmStandard Deviation 26.8
Secondary

Patient Global Assessment of Disease Activity (VAS)

The mean score of the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) at Week 0 (baseline) and the change from Week 0 to Weeks 24 and 48 as assessed by participants using a 100 mm horizontal VAS, where the left endpoint indicated No disease activity (no symptom, or no symptom of RA), and the right endpoint indicated Maximum disease activity (maximum RA activity). A negative change from Baseline indicated improvement.

Time frame: Baseline, Weeks 24 and 48

Population: ITT population

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Rituximab, MethotrexatePatient Global Assessment of Disease Activity (VAS)Week 072.6 mmStandard Deviation 21.6
Rituximab, MethotrexatePatient Global Assessment of Disease Activity (VAS)Change at Week 24-20.5 mmStandard Deviation 25.8
Rituximab, MethotrexatePatient Global Assessment of Disease Activity (VAS)Change at Week 48-31.8 mmStandard Deviation 26.9
Secondary

Percentage of Participants With An American College of Rheumatology 50% Improvement Criteria (ACR50) Response at Week 24

ACR50 response: ≥50% improvement in tender joint count; ≥50% improvement in swollen joint count; and ≥50% improvement in at least 3 of 5 remaining ACR core measures: Patient Assessment of Pain; PtGA; PGA; self-assessed disability (HAQ-DI); and either CRP or ESR.

Time frame: Week 24

Population: ITT population

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Rituximab, MethotrexatePercentage of Participants With An American College of Rheumatology 50% Improvement Criteria (ACR50) Response at Week 247.5 percentage of participants
Secondary

Percentage of Participants With An American College of Rheumatology 70% Improvement Criteria (ACR70) Response at Week 24

ACR70 response: ≥70% improvement in tender joint count; ≥70% improvement in swollen joint count; and ≥70% improvement in at least 3 of 5 remaining ACR core measures: Patient Assessment of Pain; PtGA; PGA; self-assessed disability (HAQ-DI); and either CRP or ESR.

Time frame: Week 24

Population: ITT population

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Rituximab, MethotrexatePercentage of Participants With An American College of Rheumatology 70% Improvement Criteria (ACR70) Response at Week 245.0 percentage of participants
Secondary

Percentage of Participants With Change in DAS-28 From BL to Week 24 of ≥1.2

DAS28 was calculated from the number of swollen joints and tender joints using the 28 joints count, the ESR (mm/hr) and PtGA of disease activity with transformed scores ranging 0 to 10; higher scores indicated greater affectation due to disease activity.

Time frame: Baseline, Week 24

Population: ITT population

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Rituximab, MethotrexatePercentage of Participants With Change in DAS-28 From BL to Week 24 of ≥1.260.0 percentage of participants
Secondary

Percentage of Participants With DAS Response by European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Category at Week 24

The percentage of participants categorized as good, moderate, or nonresponders according to the EULAR response criteria at Week 24. Participants were categorized as good responders if the intensity of their symptoms was in the low disease activity (DAS28 less than \[\<\]3.2) category after treatment, and their symptoms significantly decreased to \>1.2. Participants were categorized as moderate responders if the intensity of their symptoms was in the moderate or high disease activity (DAS28 \>3.2) category after treatment, and the symptoms significantly decreased to \>1.2; or if the intensity of their symptoms was in the low or moderate disease activity (DAS28 \<5.1) category, and the DAS28 score changed more than 0.6 or 1.2 or less. Participants were categorized as non-responders if they did not fall into the good or moderate categories.

Time frame: Week 24

Population: ITT population

ArmMeasureGroupValue (NUMBER)
Rituximab, MethotrexatePercentage of Participants With DAS Response by European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Category at Week 24Good responders5.0 percentage of participants
Rituximab, MethotrexatePercentage of Participants With DAS Response by European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Category at Week 24Moderate responders65.0 percentage of participants
Rituximab, MethotrexatePercentage of Participants With DAS Response by European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Category at Week 24Nonresponders30.0 percentage of participants
Secondary

Physical Function as Assessed by Short Form 36 (SF-36)

SF-36 is a standardized survey evaluating 8 aspects of functional health and well being: physical and social functioning, physical and emotional role limitations, bodily pain, general health, vitality, mental health. The score for a section is an average of the individual question scores, which are scaled 0-100 (100=highest level of functioning).

Time frame: Screening, Weeks 24 and 48

Population: ITT population; n (number) = number of participants assessed for the specified parameter at a given visit.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Rituximab, MethotrexatePhysical Function as Assessed by Short Form 36 (SF-36)Week 48, General health (n=38)44.9 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 22.7
Rituximab, MethotrexatePhysical Function as Assessed by Short Form 36 (SF-36)Screening, Physical functioning (n=39)27.7 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 17.2
Rituximab, MethotrexatePhysical Function as Assessed by Short Form 36 (SF-36)Screening, Role-physical (n=39)26.6 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 21.5
Rituximab, MethotrexatePhysical Function as Assessed by Short Form 36 (SF-36)Screening, Bodily pain (n=39)29.2 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 17.5
Rituximab, MethotrexatePhysical Function as Assessed by Short Form 36 (SF-36)Screening, General health (n=39)31.7 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 16.2
Rituximab, MethotrexatePhysical Function as Assessed by Short Form 36 (SF-36)Week 24, Physical functioning (n=39)35.8 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 22.5
Rituximab, MethotrexatePhysical Function as Assessed by Short Form 36 (SF-36)Week 24, Role-physical (n=39)41.5 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 23.1
Rituximab, MethotrexatePhysical Function as Assessed by Short Form 36 (SF-36)Week 24, Bodily pain (n=39)44.7 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 19.7
Rituximab, MethotrexatePhysical Function as Assessed by Short Form 36 (SF-36)Week 24, General health (n=39)38.1 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 17.1
Rituximab, MethotrexatePhysical Function as Assessed by Short Form 36 (SF-36)Week 48, Physical functioning (n=39)43.4 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 26.7
Rituximab, MethotrexatePhysical Function as Assessed by Short Form 36 (SF-36)Week 48, Role-physical (n=38)49.3 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 29
Rituximab, MethotrexatePhysical Function as Assessed by Short Form 36 (SF-36)Week 48, Bodily pain (n=38)50.9 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 22.7
Secondary

Physician Global Assessment of Disease Activity (VAS)

The mean score of the symptoms of RA at Week 0 and the change from Week 0 (baseline) to Weeks 24 and 48 as assessed by investigators using a 100-mm horizontal VAS, where the left endpoint indicated No disease activity (no symptom, or no symptom of RA), and the right endpoint indicated Maximum disease activity (maximum RA activity). A negative change from Baseline indicated improvement.

Time frame: Baseline, Weeks 24 and 48

Population: ITT population

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Rituximab, MethotrexatePhysician Global Assessment of Disease Activity (VAS)Week 072.8 mmStandard Deviation 13.4
Rituximab, MethotrexatePhysician Global Assessment of Disease Activity (VAS)Change at Week 24-30.4 mmStandard Deviation 24.1
Rituximab, MethotrexatePhysician Global Assessment of Disease Activity (VAS)Change at Week 48-42.1 mmStandard Deviation 23
Secondary

SF-36 Mental Component Scores

SF-36 is a standardized survey evaluating 8 aspects of functional health and well being: physical and social functioning, physical and emotional role limitations, bodily pain, general health, vitality, mental health. The score for a section is an average of the individual question scores, which are scaled 0-100 (100=highest level of functioning).

Time frame: Screening, Weeks 24 and 48

Population: ITT population; n=number of participants assessed for the specified parameter at a given visit.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Rituximab, MethotrexateSF-36 Mental Component ScoresScreening, Vitality (n=38)30.3 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 18.6
Rituximab, MethotrexateSF-36 Mental Component ScoresWeek 24, Social functioning (n=39)55.5 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 25.6
Rituximab, MethotrexateSF-36 Mental Component ScoresWeek 24, Role-emotional (n=39)53.9 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 27.6
Rituximab, MethotrexateSF-36 Mental Component ScoresScreening, Social functioning (n=39)41.7 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 26.8
Rituximab, MethotrexateSF-36 Mental Component ScoresScreening, Role-emotional (n=39)36.8 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 25.3
Rituximab, MethotrexateSF-36 Mental Component ScoresScreening, Mental health (n=38)52.9 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 19.5
Rituximab, MethotrexateSF-36 Mental Component ScoresWeek 24, Vitality (n=39)35.7 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 21.2
Rituximab, MethotrexateSF-36 Mental Component ScoresWeek 24, Mental health (n=39)56.0 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 21.4
Rituximab, MethotrexateSF-36 Mental Component ScoresWeek 48, Vitality (n=38)44.2 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 26.6
Rituximab, MethotrexateSF-36 Mental Component ScoresWeek 48, Social functioning (n=38)63.2 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 26
Rituximab, MethotrexateSF-36 Mental Component ScoresWeek 48, Role-emotional (n=38)55.5 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 31.9
Rituximab, MethotrexateSF-36 Mental Component ScoresWeek 48, Mental health (n=38)60.7 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 23.9
Secondary

Swollen Join Count (SJC)

Number of swollen joints was determined by examination of 66 joints (as assessed through pressing and palpating during the physical examination) and identifying when swelling was present. The number of swollen joints was recorded on the joint assessment form at each visit as swollen or not swollen.

Time frame: Baseline, Weeks 24 and 48

Population: ITT population

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Rituximab, MethotrexateSwollen Join Count (SJC)Week 016.3 swollen jointsStandard Deviation 8.4
Rituximab, MethotrexateSwollen Join Count (SJC)Change at Week 24-8.9 swollen jointsStandard Deviation 6.2
Rituximab, MethotrexateSwollen Join Count (SJC)Change at Week 48-11.6 swollen jointsStandard Deviation 7.2
Secondary

Tender Joint Count (TJC)

Number of tender joints was determined by examination of 68 joints (as assessed through pressing and palpating during the physical examination) and identifying when swelling was present. The number of tender joints was recorded on the joint assessment form at each visit as either tender or not tender.

Time frame: Baseline, Weeks 24 and 48

Population: ITT population

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Rituximab, MethotrexateTender Joint Count (TJC)Week 021.9 tender jointsStandard Deviation 14
Rituximab, MethotrexateTender Joint Count (TJC)Change at Week 24-9.0 tender jointsStandard Deviation 9.3
Rituximab, MethotrexateTender Joint Count (TJC)Change at Week 48-13.9 tender jointsStandard Deviation 11.1

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 11, 2026