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Efficacy and Safety of Biosimilar CT-P47 Versus Reference Tocilizumab: 1-Year Results of a Randomised,
Gerd Burmester1, Jakub Trefler2, Artur Racewicz3
1Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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. At week 24, those on CT-P47 continued maintenance treatment; those on r-TCZ were re-randomised (1:1) to continue r-TCZ (r-TCZ maintenance) or to switch to CT-P47 (CT-P47 switched) until week 48 (Treatment Period 2). After week 48, patients were followed up until week 52 (end of study). Efficacy, pharmacokinetics, safety and immunogenicity were evaluated.
Results:
In Treatment Period 2, 225 patients continued CT-P47 maintenance, 109 continued r‑TCZ maintenance and 110 switched to CT-P47. During Treatment Period 2, efficacy findings were comparable between groups. At week 52, the mean change from baseline in Disease Activity Score in 28 joints-erythrocyte sedimentation rate was - 4.279, - 4.231 and - 4.376 in the CT-P47 maintenance, r-TCZ maintenance and CT-P47 switched groups, respectively. Joint damage progression over 1 year was minimal in all groups. Drug serum concentrations were relatively consistent throughout Treatment Period 2. The safety profile and antidrug antibody-positive conversion rate (< 5% in each group) were similar between groups.
Conclusions:
Week 52 results show maintained efficacy after switching from r-TCZ to CT-P47, and comparable efficacy, pharmacokinetics, safety and immunogenicity of CT-P47 versus r-TCZ over 1 year of treatment.
Clinical Trial Registration:
NCT05489224, 24 July 2022.
