A Phase II Trial Comparing Z-102 With Placebo In Patients With Moderate To Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis

The primary efficacy endpoint was the mean change in Disease Activity Score 28 using C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) from baseline to Week 12.

The DAS28-CRP is a composite measure of inflammation in Rheumatoid Arthritis and incorporates a tender and swollen joint count, CRP and Patient Global Assessment of Disease Activity expressed in a Gaussian distribution of variables ranging from 0 to 10. A DAS28-CRP score of <3.2 suggests a low level of disease activity, while a score of >5.1 suggests a high level of disease activity. Using the DAS-CRP as a continuous scale allows investigators (and clinicians) to measure a clinically meaningful endpoint following institution of a therapeutic intervention. In RA, clinical remission would therefore be graded as a DAS28 score of ≤3.2 with disease flare accompanying scores of ≥5.1; well-controlled disease is best characterized as fitting in between these two scores.

The mean change in the individual components of the Disease Activity Score 28 using C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) from baseline to Week 12 which included individual assessment of Tender Joint Count (28-joint assessment), Swollen Joint Count (28-joint assessment), Patient Global Assessment of Disease Activity and absolute CRP level. In each case, higher scores indicate more disease activity.

The DAS28-CRP is a composite measure of inflammation in Rheumatoid Arthritis and incorporates a tender and swollen joint count, CRP and Patient Global Assessment of Disease Activity expressed in a Gaussian distribution of variables ranging from 0 to 10. A DAS28-CRP score of <3.2 suggests a low level of disease activity, while a score of >5.1 suggests a high level of disease activity.

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20 is a widely accepted composite index of improvement in RA proposed by the ACR (Fransen and van Riel 2009). ACR20 refers to a composite improvement of 20% in swollen joint count, tender joint count, and 3 or more of the following 5 measures:Physician's Global Assessment of Disease Activity, Patient's Global Assessment of Disease Activity, Patient Pain VAS, Patient's self-addressed disability (HAQ) (Arnet 1988 and Felson 1995), Acute-phase reactant (ESR or CRP) The ACR 50 and ACR 70 are similar tools, used to indicate 50% and 70% improvement, respectively.

The Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue (MAF) scale contains 16 items and measures four dimensions of fatigue: severity (#1-2), distress (#3), degree of interference in activities of daily living (#4-14), and timing (#15-16). Fourteen items contain numerical rating scales (#1-14) and two items have multiple-choice responses (#15-16). Respondents are asked to reflect on fatigue patterns for the past week.

To calculate the Global Fatigue Index (GFI): Convert item #15 to a 0-10 scale by multiplying each score by 2.5 and then sum items #1, 2, 3, average #4-14, and newly scored item #15.

Scores range from 1 (no fatigue) to 50 (severe fatigue). Do not assign a score to items #4-14 if respondent indicated they "do not do any activity for reasons other than fatigue." If respondents select no fatigue on item #1, assign a zero to items #2-16. Item #16 is not included in the Global Fatigue Index.

Patients will be monitored for addition of any DMARD or withdrawal due to flare. The time to failure is defined as the duration of study participation (in days) until a qualifying event or completion of study treatment, whichever comes first.