Efficacy and Safety of Anti-Interleukin-20 Monoclonal Antibody in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Randomized Phase IIa Trial

Arthritis Rheumatol. 2015 Jun;67(6):1438-48. doi: 10.1002/art.39083.

Abstract

Objective: Interleukin-20 (IL-20) is implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The efficacy, safety, and tolerability of NNC0109-0012, a selective anti-IL-20 recombinant human monoclonal antibody (mAb), were assessed in patients with active RA who had an inadequate response to methotrexate therapy.

Methods: Sixty-seven patients with RA were enrolled and randomized (2:1) to receive NNC0109-0012 (3 mg/kg per week, subcutaneously) or placebo in a phase IIa, double-blind, 12-week trial with a 13-week followup. The primary end point was change in the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints based on C-reactive protein level (DAS28-CRP) from baseline to week 12.

Results: In patients treated with NNC0109-0012, the primary end point, improvement in the DAS28-CRP at week 12, was achieved (estimated difference -0.88; P = 0.02), with significant improvement starting at week 1. A greater response was observed in seropositive patients (estimated difference -1.66; P < 0.001), which was sustained through 13 weeks of followup, whereas no improvement was noted in patients with seronegative RA. A significant proportion of patients with seropositive RA receiving NNC0109-0012, compared to those receiving placebo, achieved treatment responses according to the American College of Rheumatology 20% (ACR20) (59% versus 21%), ACR50 (48% versus 14%), and ACR70 (35% versus 0%) levels of improvement, and showed greater improvements in the Health Assessment Questionnaire disability index (P = 0.047). The most frequent adverse events reported with NNC0109-0012 were injection site reactions and infections (e.g., herpes, nasopharyngitis, respiratory, and urinary). No serious infections or discontinuations associated with NNC0109-0012 were observed.

Conclusion: In this phase IIa trial, treatment with NNC0109-0012 (anti-IL-20 mAb) was effective in patients with seropositive RA as early as week 1, with further improvements to week 12. No safety or tolerability concerns were identified with weekly NNC0109-0012 administration.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01282255.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase II
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / therapeutic use*
  • Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / immunology
  • Autoantibodies / immunology
  • Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies
  • C-Reactive Protein / immunology
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Herpes Simplex / chemically induced
  • Humans
  • Interleukins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nasopharyngitis / chemically induced
  • Peptides, Cyclic / immunology
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / chemically induced
  • Rheumatoid Factor / immunology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Urinary Tract Infections / chemically induced
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Autoantibodies
  • Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies
  • Interleukins
  • Peptides, Cyclic
  • cyclic citrullinated peptide
  • Fletikumab
  • C-Reactive Protein
  • Rheumatoid Factor
  • interleukin 20

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01282255