Efficacy and Safety of CDP6038 in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis With an Unsuccessful Response to Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor (Anti-TNF) Therapy

CDP6038 is a protein (antibody) that blocks interleukin-6 (IL-6), a substance involved in the inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis. This is a multicenter, 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo- and active- controlled study comparing several doses and dosage regimens (every 2 weeks and every 4 weeks) of CDP6038 to placebo and tocilizumab in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis who have had an unsuccessful response to methotrexate and previous anti-TNF therapy. The study will test if CDP6038 is more efficacious than placebo in reducing the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis at 12 weeks while maintaining an adequate safety profile. In order to maintain the study blinding all subjects will be given a subcutaneous (sc) injection (under the skin) every 2 weeks, as well as an intravenous (iv) infusion every 4 weeks. In addition subjects must remain on stable weekly doses of methotrexate. Assessments during the study include evaluations of joint pain and swelling, laboratory blood and urine tests, physical examinations, vital signs, electrocardiograms, and questionnaires. Subjects who complete the 12-week study will be eligible to enroll in a long-term extension study receiving CDP6038.

Inclusion criteria

• Have a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (according to the 1987 ACR classification criteria OR a score of ≥6 as defined by the ACR/European League Against Rheumatism Classification and Diagnostic Criteria for rheumatoid arthritis ) for at least 6 months prior to screening
• Must have been treated with MTX 12.5-25 mg/week, for at least 6 weeks prior to screening. Doses of 10 to < 12.5mg/week are allowed if there is documented intolerance
• Have moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis disease with at least 6 tender and 6 swollen joints
• CRP ≥1.2 times the upper limit of normal (central laboratory) or erythrocyte sedimentation rate of more than 28mm/hour
• Intolerant or inadequate response to treatment (ie, TNF blocker failure)≥1 licensed TNF-blocker therapies within 2 years of screening

Exclusion criteria

• Have a diagnosis of any other inflammatory arthritis or secondary, noninflammatory type of arthritis, such as psoriatic arthritis, lupus, gout, or ankylosing spondylitis
• Wheelchair bound or bedridden.
• Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) other than MTX.
• Treatment with tocilizumab or any other anti-IL-6 investigational therapies at any time.
• Treatment with other biologics within 4-24 weeks (depending on the biologic)
• History of ongoing, chronic or recurrent infections or recent serious or life-threatening infection
• Known concurrent acute or chronic viral hepatitis B or C infection or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
• Vaccinations (other than injectable influenza or pneumococcal) within 8 weeks prior to screening or plan to receive vaccines during the study
• Concurrent or history of malignancy with the exception of nonmelanoma skin cancer successfully treated more than 2 years prior to screening or cervical cancer successfully treated more than 5 years prior to screening.
• History of chronic alcohol abuse or drug addiction within the last 1 year or current drug addiction or use of illicit drugs.