Most of the currently available biologics for the treatment of RA are anti-TNF (anti-tumour necrosis factor) agents. Abatacept works through a different mechanism of action (T-cell co-stimulation modulation) and is the only agent available in both self-injectable, subcutaneous (SC) and intravenous (IV) formulations. Given that some patients prefer one route of administration for specific reasons, the availability of both formulations addresses the needs and preferences of patients and physicians.[1]
"ORENCIA is a true alternative to anti-TNFs - a first-line biologic therapy for RA patients that now also offers the convenience of self-administration in a subcutaneous formulation," said Prof. Dr. Rieke Alten, Chief Physician, Department of Internal Medicine, Rheumatology, Clinical Immunology and Osteology Schlosspark Clinic, Berlin. "ORENCIA provides a choice when deciding how to treat adults with moderate to severe active RA by offering a proven mechanism of action that is different from anti-TNFs."
The European approval of the subcutaneous formulation of abatacept is based on the ACQUIRE study, a pivotal phase III registrational trial, as well as long-term efficacy and safety data from supporting phase II studies. In ACQUIRE, the single largest phase III registrational trial of biologics in RA patients, the subcutaneous and intravenous formulations of abatacept were compared and shown to be similar in terms of efficacy and safety (non-inferiority comparison).
The intravenous formulation of abatacept was first approved in the European Union in May 2007 and is a well-established treatment option for adult RA patients who have an inadequate response to methotrexate alone or who have failed a first biologic DMARD.
Abatacept, in combination with methotrexate (MTX), is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe active RA in adult patients who responded inadequately to previous therapy with one or more disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), including MTX or a tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha inhibitor.
"Many physicians use intravenous ORENCIA for RA because it has a unique mechanism of action and a well-recognised efficacy and safety profile," said Ron Cooper, President, Bristol-Myers Squibb. Europe. "We are pleased to be able to offer physicians and patients an efficacious and convenient self-administered formulation."
Clinical Trials
ACQUIRE (Abatacept Comparison of Sub[QU]cutaneous versus Intravenous in inadequate Responders to methotrexate) [iii]
In ACQUIRE, the goal was to demonstrate non-inferiority of the efficacy and comparability of the safety of subcutaneous abatacept relative to intravenous administration in subjects with moderate to severe active RA and experiencing inadequate response to MTX.
The trial, which was a randomised, multinational phase III study of 1,457 patients, showed that abatacept achieved comparable rates of efficacy for the American College of Rheumatology criteria of 20 percent (ACR20) response at month 6 in both groups of patients receiving SC injections plus methotrexate (MTX) or IV infusions plus MTX (76.1 % vs 75.7, respectively).
ACR 50 and 70 responses were comparable between abatacept SC and IV as were improvements in all patient-reported outcomes studied - pain, physical function and global assessment of disease activity for abatacept SC and IV at month 6.
At month 6, 94% of patients receiving SC injections plus MTX and 94% of patients receiving abatacept IV plus MTX remained in the study. The rate of injection site reactions (mostly mild) was similar across both patient groups, occurring in 19 (2.6%) patients receiving subcutaneous abatacept and 18 (2.5%) patients receiving intravenous abatacept.
This study demonstrated similar safety for patients treated with subcutaneous abatacept and intravenous abatacept. These results are consistent with the safety profile of abatacept.2
About ORENCIA® (abatacept)
Abatacept is a selective co-stimulation modulator of T-cell activation. It is designed to prevent full T-cell activation and inhibit the release of chemicals leading to joint inflammation and destruction as observed in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).[iv],[v],[vi],[vii].
Abatacept is the first biologic discovered and developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb and abatacept IV was first approved for adult RA in May 2007 by the European Commission.
Abatacept, in combination with methotrexate (MTX), is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe active RA in adult patients who responded inadequately to previous therapy with one or more disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) including MTX or a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor. A reduction in the progression of joint damage and improvement of physical function has been demonstrated during combination treatment with abatacept and MTX.
The new self-injectable formulation can be administered weekly through an injection under the skin following a single IV loading dose. Patients who are unable to receive an infusion may initiate weekly injections of subcutaneous abatacept without an intravenous loading dose.
The most frequently reported adverse reactions (≥ 5%) among abatacept-treated patients are headache, nausea, and upper respiratory tract infections. In younger patients, side effects are similar to adults. For the full list of all side effects reported with abatacept, see the Product Information.
Abatacept should not be prescribed to persons who are hypersensitive to abatacept or any of the other ingredients. It must not be used in patients with severe and uncontrolled infections, such as sepsis or opportunistic infections. Patients who receive abatacept are given a special alert card that explains this restriction and instructs them to contact their doctor immediately if they develop an infection during a course of treatment.[viii]
The intravenous formulation of abatacept, in combination with MTX, is also indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe active polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (pJIA) in paediatric patients six years of age and older who have had an insufficient response to other DMARDs, including at least one TNF inhibitor. Abatacept has not been studied in children under six years old.
For a full description of abatacept, including efficacy and safety profile, please consult the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC):
About Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic, chronic, autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation in the lining of joints (or synovium), causing joint damage with chronic pain, stiffness, swelling and fatigue. RA causes limited range of motion and decreased joint function.
In Europe, more than 2.9 million people are affected by RA,[ix] a condition which can severely impact patients' quality of life and can lead to increased mortality and morbidity.[x] The condition is more common in women, who account for 75% of patients diagnosed with RA.[xi]
With appropriate treatment, patients can achieve better clinical outcomes, resulting in more active days and improved well-being.[xii]
Abatacept is one of the biologic treatment options indicated in adult patients with moderate to severely active RA for patients who respond inadequately to previous DMARDs. The approval of the new subcutaneous formulation will offer one more option, giving some patients the opportunity to treat themselves at home.
Source:
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