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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT04717635

Study of Efficacy and Safety of Canakinumab in Japanese Patients With AOSD

This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of canakinumab administered subcutaneously every 4 weeks for at least 48 weeks in Japanese patients with Adult-Onset Still's Disease (AOSD).

Interim analysis data collected at Weeks 28 and 48 supported the registration submission of canakinumab for the indication of Adult Still's Disease (ASD) in Japan.

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Key information

Age range

16 year–100 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 3

Primary location

Novartis Investigative Site, Chiba, Japan

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About this study

This was a Phase III, open-label, single-arm active treatment study designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) of canakinumab at a dose of 4 mg/kg (up to a maximum of 300 mg) administered subcutaneously every 4 weeks for at least 48 weeks in Japanese participants with ASD.

The study consisted of two epochs:

  • Screening epoch: Day -28 to Day -1
  • Open-label treatment epoch: Day 1 until either regulatory approval and commercial availability of canakinumab for adult Still's disease (ASD) in Japan, or study termination (whichever occurred first).

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Signed informed consent had to be obtained prior to participation in the study. Parent's or legal guardian's written informed consent and child's assent, if appropriate, were required before any assessment was performed for participants < 20 years of age.
  • Japanese male and female participants aged ≥ 16 years were eligible.
  • Diagnosis of AOSD had to be confirmed as per Yamaguchi criteria, with disease onset at ≥ 16 years of age. The Yamaguchi criteria required at least five criteria, including two major criteria and no exclusion criteria.
  • Participants had to have active disease at baseline, defined as follows:
  • Fever (body temperature > 38°C) due to AOSD for at least 1 day within 1 week before baseline
  • At least 2 active joints (tender or swollen)
  • CRP ≥ 10 mg/L

Exclusion criteria

  • Pregnant or nursing (lactating) female participants were excluded. Pregnancy was defined as the state of a female after conception and until the termination of gestation, confirmed by a positive hCG laboratory test (> 5 mIU/mL) at the screening visit.
  • Participants with a history of significant hypersensitivity to the study drug or to biologics were excluded.
  • Participants with a history or evidence of active macrophage activation syndrome or disseminated intravascular coagulation within 6 months prior to enrollment were excluded.
  • Participants with underlying metabolic, renal, hepatic, infectious, or gastrointestinal conditions that, in the opinion of the investigator, compromised the participant and/or placed the participant at unacceptable risk for participation in immunomodulatory therapy were excluded.
  • Participants with active or recurrent bacterial, fungal, or viral infections at the time of enrollment, including evidence of HIV infection, Hepatitis B, or Hepatitis C, were excluded.
  • Participants with an absolute neutrophil count < 1500/mm³ at screening were excluded.

Treatment and study plan

canakinumab

Biological

Canakinumab was provided as a 150 mg/1 mL solution for subcutaneous injection, administered at a dose of 4 mg/kg every four weeks. The medication was supplied by Novartis in individual 2 mL glass vials, each containing 150 mg of liquid canakinumab. Throughout the study, participants received subcutaneous injections of canakinumab 4 mg/kg (up to a maximum of 300 mg) at the study site every four weeks. Any participant who required a dose greater than a single dose of 150 mg (participants > 37.5 kg) received two s.c. injections per administration

Other names: ACZ885

Primary outcomes

  1. Percentage of Participants Who Achieved Adapted American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 30 Response at Week 8

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 8

    Adapted ACR30 response was defined as a ≥30% improvement from baseline in at least 3 of the following 5 core response variables, with no more than one of these variables worsening by >30%:

    • Physicians global assessment of disease activity (PhGA) on a 0-100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS) (0=very good and 100=very poor).
    • Participant's assessment of disease activity (PtGA) on a 0-100 mm VAS (0=very good and 100=very poor).
    • Health Assessment Questionnaire- disability index (HAQ-DI): 20 questions across 8 domains assessing the functional abilities. The total score was calculated as the average of the scores for each domain, ranging from 0 (no disability) to 3 (very severe disability).
    • Number of active joints (68 joints evaluated for pain/tenderness and 66 for swelling)
    • Index of inflammation: C-reactive Protein (CRP) levels Additionally, participants were required to have no intermittent fever during the preceding week.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Number of Participants Who Were Able to Taper Corticosteroids Based on Success Criteria at Week 28.

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 28

    Number of participants achieving successful corticosteroid tapering at Week 28 was assessed. Successful tapering was defined as meeting any one of the following criteria and maintaining a minimum Adapted ACR30 response:

    • Participants with a baseline prednisone equivalent dose > 0.8 mg/kg/day must reduce to ≤ 0.5 mg/kg/day
    • Participants with a baseline dose between ≥ 0.5 and ≤ 0.8 mg/kg/day must reduce by ≥ 0.3 mg/kg/day
    • Participants with any baseline dose must reduce to ≤ 0.2 mg/kg/day
    • Participants with a baseline dose ≤ 0.2 mg/kg/day must achieve any reduction

    The Adapted ACR30 response requires ≥30% improvement in at least 3 of the following 5 variables, with no more than one worsening by >30%, and no intermittent fever in the preceding week:

    • PhGA [0-100 VAS]
    • PtGA [0-100 VAS]
    • HAQ-DI [0-3 scale]
    • Number of active joints (pain/tenderness: 0-68; swelling: 0-66)
    • CRP levels
  2. Number of Participants Who Achieved Adapted ACR 30 Response Criteria

    Time frame: Baseline, Day 15, Weeks 4, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 132, 144, 156, 168, 180, 192, and End of Study visit (assesed up to approx. 208 weeks)

    Adapted ACR30 response was defined as a ≥30% improvement from baseline in at least 3 of the following 5 core response variables, with no more than one of these variables worsening by >30%:

    • Physicians global assessment of disease activity (PhGA) on a 0-100 mm VAS (0=very good and 100=very poor).
    • Participant's assessment of disease activity (PtGA) on a 0-100 mm VAS (0=very good and 100=very poor).
    • Health Assessment Questionnaire- disability index (HAQ-DI): 20 questions across 8 domains assessing the functional abilities. The total score was calculated as the average of the scores for each domain, ranging from 0 (no disability) to 3 (very severe disability).
    • Number of active joints (68 joints evaluated for pain/tenderness and 66 for swelling)
    • Index of inflammation: C-reactive Protein (CRP) levels Additionally, participants were required to have no intermittent fever during the preceding week.
  3. Number of Participants Who Achieved Adapted ACR 50 Response Criteria

    Time frame: Baseline, Day 15, Weeks 4, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 132, 144, 156, 168, 180, 192, and End of Study visit (assesed up to approx. 208 weeks)

    Adapted ACR50 response was defined as 50% reduction between baseline in at least 3 of the 5 response variables, with no more than one of these variables worsening by more than 30%:

    • Physicians global assessment of disease activity on a 0-100 mm VAS (0=very good and 100=very poor).
    • Participant's assessment of disease activity (PtGA) on a 0-100 mm VAS (0=very good and 100=very poor).
    • Health Assessment Questionnaire- disability index (HAQ-DI): 20 questions across 8 domains assessing the functional abilities. The total score was calculated as the average of the scores for each domain, ranging from 0 (no disability) to 3 (very severe disability).
    • Number of active joints (68 joints evaluated for pain/tenderness and 66 for swelling)
    • Index of inflammation: C-reactive Protein (CRP) levels Additionally, participants were required to have no intermittent fever during the preceding week.
  4. Number of Participants Who Achieved Adapted ACR 70 Response Criteria

    Time frame: Baseline, Day 15, Weeks 4, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 132, 144, 156, 168, 180, 192, and End of Study visit (assesed up to approx. 208 weeks)

    Adapted ACR70 response was defined as 70% reduction between baseline in at least 3 of the 5 response variables, with no more than one of these variables worsening by more than 30%:

    • Physicians global assessment of disease activity (PhGA) on a 0-100 mm VAS (0=very good and 100=very poor).
    • Participant's assessment of disease activity (PtGA) on a 0-100 mm VAS (0=very good and 100=very poor).
    • Health Assessment Questionnaire- disability index (HAQ-DI): 20 questions across 8 domains assessing the functional abilities. The total score was calculated as the average of the scores for each domain, ranging from 0 (no disability) to 3 (very severe disability).
    • Number of active joints (68 joints evaluated for pain/tenderness and 66 for swelling)
    • Index of inflammation: C-reactive Protein (CRP) levels Additionally, participants were required to have no intermittent fever during the preceding week.
  5. Number of Participants Who Achieved Adapted ACR 90 Response Criteria

    Time frame: Baseline, Day 15, Weeks 4, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 132, 144, 156, 168, 180, 192, and End of Study visit (assesed up to approx. 208 weeks)

    Adapted ACR90 response was defined as 90% reduction between baseline in at least 3 of the 5 response variables, with no more than one of these variables worsening by more than 30%:

    • Physicians global assessment of disease activity (PhGA) on a 0-100 mm VAS (0=very good and 100=very poor).
    • Participant's assessment of disease activity (PtGA) on a 0-100 mm VAS (0=very good and 100=very poor).
    • Health Assessment Questionnaire- disability index (HAQ-DI): 20 questions across 8 domains assessing the functional abilities. The total score was calculated as the average of the scores for each domain, ranging from 0 (no disability) to 3 (very severe disability).
    • Number of active joints (68 joints evaluated for pain/tenderness and 66 for swelling)
    • Index of inflammation: C-reactive Protein (CRP) levels Additionally, participants were required to have no intermittent fever during the preceding week.
  6. Number of Participants Who Achieved Adapted ACR 100 Response Criteria

    Time frame: Baseline, Day 15, Weeks 4, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 132, 144, 156, 168, 180, 192, and End of Study visit (assesed up to approx. 208 weeks)

    Adapted ACR100 response was defined as 100% reduction between baseline in at least 3 of the 5 response variables, with no more than one of these variables worsening by more than 30%:

    • Physicians global assessment of disease activity (PhGA) on a 0-100 mm VAS (0=very good and 100=very poor).
    • Participant's assessment of disease activity (PtGA) on a 0-100 mm VAS (0=very good and 100=very poor).
    • Health Assessment Questionnaire- disability index (HAQ-DI): 20 questions across 8 domains assessing the functional abilities. The total score was calculated as the average of the scores for each domain, ranging from 0 (no disability) to 3 (very severe disability).
    • Number of active joints (68 joints evaluated for pain/tenderness and 66 for swelling)
    • Index of inflammation: C-reactive Protein (CRP) levels Additionally, participants were required to have no intermittent fever during the preceding week.
  7. Change From Baseline in Systemic Feature Score (SFS)

    Time frame: Baseline, Day 15, Weeks 4, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 132, 144, 156, 168, 180, 192, and End of Study visit (assesed up to approx. 208 weeks)

    The SFS evaluated 10 features, each scored as 1 (present) or 0 (absent). The total score ranged from 0 (none present) to 10 (all present). A negative change from baseline indicated clinical improvement.

    Clinical features:

    • Fever (>37.5°C for ≥5 consecutive days)
    • Rash (salmon-pink during febrile episodes)
    • Serositis
    • Lymphadenopathy (>1.5 cm)
    • Hepatomegaly/splenomegaly (confirmed by ultrasound or palpation)

    Laboratory features:

    At baseline, considered present if:

    • ESR ≥20 mm/hour
    • CRP ≥10 mg/L
    • WBC count ≥12×10⁹/L
    • Hemoglobin ≤11 g/dL
    • Platelets ≥400×10⁹/L

    During treatment and follow-up:

    • ESR: 0 if <20 mm/hour or decreased ≥30%; 1 if increased or decreased <30%
    • CRP: 0 if <10 mg/L or decreased ≥30%; 1 if increased or decreased <30%
    • WBC count: 0 if <12×10⁹/L or decreased ≥20%; 1 if increased or decreased <20%
    • Hemoglobin: 0 if >11 g/dL or increased ≥20%; 1 if decreased or increased <20%
    • Platelets: 0 if <400×10⁹/L or decreased ≥20%; 1 if increased or decreased <20%
  8. Change From Baseline in the Component of Adapted ACR: Physician's Global Assessment of Disease Activity

    Time frame: aseline, Day 15, Weeks 4, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 132, 144, 156, 168, 180, 192, and End of Study visit (assesed up to approx. 208 weeks)

    The physician rated the participant's disease activity on a 0-100 mm VAS, ranging from no disease activity (0 mm) to very severe disease activity (100 mm). A negative change from baseline indicated improvement

  9. Change From Baseline in the Component of Adapted ACR: Patient's Global Assessment of Disease Activity

    Time frame: Baseline, Day 15, Weeks 4, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 132, 144, 156, 168, 180, 192, and End of Study visit (assesed up to approx. 208 weeks)

    The participant's assessment of disease activity was assessed on the VAS. The VAS scale ranges from 0-100 mm, from no pain/very well (0 mm) to very severe pain/very poor (100 mm). A negative change from baseline indicated improvement

  10. Change From Baseline in the Component of Adapted ACR: Health Assessment Questionnaire- Disability Index (HAQ-DI)

    Time frame: Baseline, Day 15, Weeks 4, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 132, 144, 156, 168, 180, 192, and End of Study visit (assesed up to approx. 208 weeks)

    The HAQ was used to assess physical ability and functional status of participants as well as quality of life. The disability dimension consisted of 20 multiple choice items concerning difficulty in performing eight common activities of daily living; dressing, arising, eating, walking, hygiene, reach, grip and usual activities. Each item is scored from 0 (no difficulty) to 3 (unable to do). The score for each domain is the highest item score, and the total score is the mean of the domain scores., ranging from 0 (no disability) to 3 (severe disability). A negative change from baseline indicated improvement.

  11. Change From Baseline in the Component of Adapted ACR: Number of Active Joints

    Time frame: Baseline, Day 15, Weeks 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 132, 144, 156, 168, 180, 192, End of Study (up to approx. 208 weeks)

    Active joints were defined as joints with swelling or pain/tenderness. 68 joints were assessed for pain/tenderness and 66 joints for swelling.

    The number of active joints ranged from 0 (no active joints) to 68 (all joints tender and /or swollen). A negative change from baseline indicated improvement.

  12. Change From Baseline in the Component of Adapted ACR: C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Levels

    Time frame: Baseline, Day 15, Weeks 4, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 132, 144, 156, 168, 180, 192, and End of Study visit (assesed up to approx. 208 weeks)

    CRP levels in the blood were determined A negative change from baseline indicated improvement in systemic inflammation

  13. Number of Participants With Absence of Intermittent Fever in the Preceding Week (Component of the Adapted ACR)

    Time frame: Baseline, Day 15, Weeks 4, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 132, 144, 156, 168, 180, 192, and End of Study visit (assesed up to approx. 208 weeks)

    The number of participants without intermittent fever associated to AOSD (defined as oral, rectal, or axillary body temperature > 38°C only for several hours during the day) was assessed.

  14. Change From Baseline in Oral Corticosteroid Dose

    Time frame: Weeks 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 132, 144, 156, 168, 180, 192, End of Study visit (assessed up to approx. 208 weeks)

    The oral corticosteroid dose was derived from the prednisone equivalent dose per day. The change from baseline was assessed. A negative change from baseline indicated reduced corticosteroid use.

  15. Number of Participants With or Without Rash (Typical vs. Atypical)

    Time frame: Baseline, Day 15, Weeks 4, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 132, 144, 156, 168, 180, 192, and End of Study visit (assesed up to approx. 208 weeks)

    The absence or presence of skin rash was assessed based on physical exam findings including whether it is typical or/and atypical.

    Participants with a rash showing both typical and atypical features were counted in both sub-categories.

    In the summary table, for each visit participants are classified as: rash present (typical and/or atypical), rash present (typical), rash present (atypical), or rash absent.

    For every visit, the denominator used to calculate percentages corresponds to the number of participants with available data at that visit.

  16. Change From Baseline in Disease Activity Score (DAS)28 - CRP

    Time frame: Baseline, Day 15, Weeks 4, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 132, 144, 156, 168, 180, 192, and End of Study visit (assesed up to approx. 208 weeks)

    DAS28-CRP was a composite index validated for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It took into account the following components: tender joint count (0-28), swollen joint count (0-28), C-reactive protein (CRP, mg/L), and the Patient's Global Assessment of Disease Activity (Global Health), rated from 0 (best) to 100 (worst). These results were combined to produce the DAS28-CRP score, which ranged from 1.0 (disease remission) to 9.4 (high disease activity). A negative change from baseline in DAS28-CRP indicated an improvement

  17. Canakinumab Concentrations Over Time

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-dose), Day 3, Day 15, and pre-dose at Weeks 4, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 132, 144, 156, 168, 180, 192.

    Serum canakinumab concentrations by visit

  18. Total IL-1β Levels

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-dose), Day 3, Day 15, and pre-dose at Weeks 4, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 132, 144, 156, 168, 180, 192.

    Total IL-1β (sum of IL-1β free and bound to canakinumab) in serum was assessed

  19. Number of Participants With Canakinumab Anti-drug Antibodies (ADA)

    Time frame: Pre-dose at baseline, Weeks 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144

    The ADAs against canakinumab were assessed in serum using a validated immunoassay assay. The number of participants who had a canakinumab ADA positive result was assessed

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Novartis Pharmaceuticals

Industry

Registry information

Official study title

An Open-label, Single-arm, Active-treatment Study to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of Canakinumab (ACZ885) Administered for at Least 48 Weeks in Japanese Patients With Adult Onset Still's Disease (AOSD)

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Jan 22, 2021
Registry last updated
Mar 31, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

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This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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