Tanezumab for chronic low back pain: a long-term, randomized, celecoxib-controlled Japanese Phase III safety study

Aim & methods: This trial investigated long-term (56-week treatment/24-week follow-up) use of subcutaneous tanezumab (5 or 10 mg every 8 weeks) or oral celecoxib (200 mg/day) in Japanese patients with chronic low back pain. Results & conclusion: Tanezumab safety was consistent with previous studies, except overall adverse events (tanezumab 5 mg = 63.0%, tanezumab 10 mg = 54.8%, celecoxib = 67.4%) and events of abnormal peripheral sensation (tanezumab 5 mg = 9.8%, tanezumab 10 mg = 4.3%, celecoxib = 4.3%) were more frequent with 5 mg than 10 mg tanezumab. Joint safety event rates were 1.1% for tanezumab 5 mg, 2.2% for tanezumab 10 mg and 0% for celecoxib. All treatments improved pain and function throughout the treatment period. Clinical trial registration number: NCT02725411.