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Cimzia — Description, Dosage, Side Effects | PillsCard
Rx
Cimzia
200 mg, Roztwór do wstrzykiwań w ampułko-strzykawce
INN: Certolizumabum pegol
Data updated: 2026-04-13
Available in:
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Form
Roztwór do wstrzykiwań w ampułko-strzykawce
Dosage
200 mg
Route
podskórna
Storage
—
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About This Product
Manufacturer
UCB Pharma S.A. (Belgia)
Composition
Certolizumabum pegol 200 mg
ATC Code
L04AB05
Source
URPL
Pharmacotherapeutic group: immunosuppressants, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) inhibitors, ATC code: L04AB05
Mechanism of action
Cimzia has a high affinity for human TNFα and binds with a dissociation constant (KD) of 90 pM. TNFα is a key pro-inflammatory cytokine with a central role in inflammatory processes. Cimzia selectively neutralises TNFα (IC90 of 4 ng/ml for inhibition of human TNFα in the
in vitro
L929 murine fibrosarcoma cytotoxicity assay) but does not neutralise lymphotoxin α (TNFβ).
Cimzia was shown to neutralise membrane associated and soluble human TNFα in a dose-dependent manner. Incubation of monocytes with Cimzia resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced TNFα and IL1β production in human monocytes.
Cimzia does not contain a fragment crystallisable (Fc) region, which is normally present in a complete antibody, and therefore does not fix complement or cause antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity
in vitro
. It does not induce apoptosis
in vitro
in human peripheral blood-derived monocytes or lymphocytes, or neutrophil degranulation.
Clinical efficacy
Rheumatoid arthritis
The efficacy and safety of Cimzia have been assessed in 2 randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trials in patients ≥ 18 years of age with active rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed according to American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria, RA-I (RAPID 1) and RA-II (RAPID 2). Patients had ≥ 9 swollen and tender joints each and had active RA for at least 6 months prior to baseline. Cimzia was administered subcutaneously in combination with oral MTX for a minimum of 6 months with stable doses of at least 10 mg weekly for 2 months in both trials. There is no experience with Cimzia in combination with DMARDs other than MTX.
The efficacy and safety of Cimzia was assessed in DMARD-naïve adult patients with active RA in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial (C-EARLY). In the C-EARLY trial patients were ≥ 18 years of age and had ≥ 4 swollen and tender joints each and must have been diagnosed with moderate to severe active and progressive RA within 1 year (as defined by the 2010 ACR/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) classification criteria). Patients had a mean time since diagnosis at baseline of 2.9 months and were DMARD naïve (including MTX). For both the Cimzia and placebo arms, MTX was initiated as of Week 0 (10 mg/week), titrated up to maximum tolerated dose by Week 8 (min 15 mg/week, max 25 mg/week allowed), and maintained throughout the study (average dose of MTX after Week 8 for placebo and Cimzia was 22.3 mg/week and 21.1 mg/week respectively).
Table 2 Clinical trial description
Study number
Patient numbers
Active dose regimen
Study objectives
RA-I
(52 weeks)
982
400 mg (0,2,4 weeks) with MTX
200 mg or 400 mg every 2 weeks with MTX
Evaluation for treatment of signs and symptoms and inhibition of structural damage.
Co-primary endpoints: ACR 20 at Week 24 and change from baseline in mTSS at Week 52
RA-II
(24 weeks)
619
400 mg (0,2,4 weeks) with MTX
200 mg or 400 mg every 2 weeks with MTX
Evaluation for treatment of signs and symptoms and inhibition of structural damage.
Primary endpoint: ACR 20 at Week 24.
C-EARLY
(to 52 weeks)
879
400 mg (0,2,4 weeks) with MTX
200 mg every 2 weeks with MTX
Evaluation for treatment of signs and symptoms and inhibition of structural damage in DMARD naïve patients.
Primary endpoint: proportion of subjects in sustained remission* at Week 52
mTSS: modified Total Sharp Score
*Sustained remission at Week 52 is defined as DAS28[ESR] <2.6 at both Week 40 and Week 52.
Signs and symptoms
The results of clinical trials RA-I and RA-II are shown in Table 3. Statistically significantly greater ACR 20 and ACR 50 responses were achieved from Week 1 and Week 2, respectively, in both clinical trials compared to placebo. Responses were maintained through Weeks 52 (RA-I) and 24 (RA-II). Of the 783 patients initially randomised to active treatment in RA-I, 508 completed 52 weeks of placebo-controlled treatment and entered the open-label extension study. Of these, 427 completed 2 years of open-label follow-up and thus had a total exposure to Cimzia of 148 weeks overall. The observed ACR 20 response rate at this timepoint was 91%.The reduction (RA-I) from Baseline in DAS28 (ESR) also was significantly greater (p<0.001) at Week 52 (RA-I) and Week 24 (RA-II) compared to placebo and maintained through 2 years in the open-label extension trial to RA-I.
Table 3 ACR response in clinical trials RA-I and RA-II
Study RA-I
Methotrexate combination
(24 and 52 weeks)
Study RA-II
Methotrexate combination
(24 weeks)
Response
Placebo + MTX
N=199
Cimzia 200 mg + MTX every 2 weeks
N=393
Placebo + MTX
N=127
Cimzia 200 mg + MTX every 2 weeks
N=246
ACR 20
Week 24
14%
59%**
9%
57%**
Week 52
13%
53%**
N/A
N/A
ACR 50
Week 24
8%
37%**
3%
33%**
Week 52
8%
38%**
N/A
N/A
ACR 70
Week 24
3%
21%**
1%
16%*
Week 52
4%
21%**
N/A
N/A
Major Clinical Response
a.
1%
13%**
Cimzia vs. placebo: *p≤0.01, ** p<0.001
a.
Major clinical response is defined as achieving ACR 70 response at every assessment over a continuous 6-month period
Wald p-values are quoted for the comparison of treatments using logistic regression with factors for treatment and region.
Percentage response based upon number of subjects contributing data (n) to that endpoint and time point which may differ from N
The C-EARLY trial met its primary and key secondary endpoints. The key results from the study are presented in table 4.
Table 4: C-EARLY trial: percent of patients in sustained remission and sustained low disease activity at Week 52
Response
Placebo+MTX
N= 213
Cimzia 200 mg + MTX
N= 655
Sustained remission*
(DAS28(ESR) <2.6 at both Week 40 and Week 52)
15.0 %
28.9%**
Sustained low disease activity
(DAS28(ESR) ≤3.2 at both Week 40 and Week 52)
28.6 %
43.8%**
*Primary endpoint of C-EARLY trial (to Week 52)
Full analysis set, non-responder imputation for missing values.
**Cimzia+MTX vs placebo+MTX: p<0.001
p value was estimated from a logistic regression model with factors for treatment, region, and time since RA diagnosis at Baseline (≤4 months vs >4 months)
Patients in the Cimzia+MTX group had a greater reduction from baseline in DAS 28 (ESR) compared with the placebo+MTX group observed as early as Week 2 and continued through Week 52 (p<0.001 at each visit). Assessments on remission (DAS28(ESR) <2.6), Low Disease Activity (DAS28(ESR) ≤3.2) status, ACR50 and ACR 70 by visit demonstrated that Cimzia+MTX treatment led to faster and greater responses than PBO+MTX treatment. These results were maintained over 52 weeks of treatment in DMARD-naïve subjects.
Radiographic response
In RA-I, structural joint damage was assessed radiographically and expressed as change in mTSS and its components, the erosion score and joint space narrowing (JSN) score, at Week 52, compared to baseline. Cimzia patients demonstrated significantly less radiographic progression than patients receiving placebo at Week 24 and Week 52 (see Table 5). In the placebo group, 52% of patients experienced no radiographic progression (mTSS ≤ 0.0) at Week 52 compared to 69% in the Cimzia 200 mg treatment group.
Table 5 Changes over 12 months in RA-I
Placebo + MTX
N=199
Mean (SD)
Cimzia 200 mg + MTX
N=393
Mean (SD)
Cimzia 200 mg + MTX – Placebo + MTX
Mean Difference
mTSS
Week 52
2.8 (7.8)
0.4 (5.7)
-2.4
Erosion Score
Week 52
1.5 (4.3)
0.1 (2.5)
-1.4
JSN Score
Week 52
1.4 (5.0)
0.4 (4.2)
-1.0
p-values were < 0.001 for both mTSS and erosion score and ≤ 0.01 for JSN score. An ANCOVA was fitted to the ranked change from baseline for each measure with region and treatment as factors and rank baseline as a covariate.
Of the 783 patients initially randomised to active treatment in RA-I, 508 completed 52 weeks of placebo-controlled treatment and entered the open-label extension study. Sustained inhibition of progression of structural damage was demonstrated in a subset of 449 of these patients who completed at least 2 years of treatment with Cimzia (RA-I and open-label extension study) and had evaluable data at the 2-year timepoint.
In C-EARLY, Cimzia+ MTX inhibited the radiographic progression compared to placebo+MTX at Week 52 (see Table 6). In the placebo+MTX group, 49.7% of patients experienced no radiographic progression (change in mTSS ≤0.5) at Week 52 compared to 70.3% in the Cimzia+MTX group (p<0.001).
Table 6 Radiographic change at Week 52 in trial C-EARLY
Placebo +MTX
N= 163
Mean (SD)
Cimzia 200 mg + MTX
N = 528
Mean (SD)
Cimzia 200 mg + MTX – Placebo +MTX
Difference*
mTSS
Week 52
1.8 (4.3)
0.2 (3.2)**
-0.978 (-1.005, -0.500)
Erosion score
Week 52
1.1 (3.0)
0.1 (2.1)**
-0.500 (-0.508, -0.366)
JSN score
Week 52
0.7 (2.3)
0.1 (1.7)**
0.000 (0.000, 0.000)
Radiographic set with linear extrapolation.
* Hodges-Lehmann point estimate of shift and 95% asymptotic (Moses) confidence interval.
**Cimzia+MTX vs placebo+MTX p<0.001. p value was estimated from an ANCOVA model on the ranks with treatment, region, time since RA diagnosis at Baseline (≤4 months vs >4 months) as factors and Baseline rank as a covariate.
Physical function response and health-related outcomes
In RA-I and RA-II, Cimzia-treated patients reported significant improvements in physical function as assessed by the Health Assessment Questionnaire – Disability Index (HAQ-DI) and in tiredness (fatigue) as reported by the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS) from Week 1 through to the end of the studies compared to placebo. In both clinical trials, Cimzia-treated patients reported significantly greater improvements in the SF-36 Physical and Mental Component Summaries and all domain scores. Improvements in physical function and HRQoL were maintained through 2 years in the open-label extension to RA-I. Cimzia-treated patients reported statistically significant improvements in the Work Productivity Survey compared to placebo.
In C-EARLY, Cimzia+MTX-treated patients reported significant improvements at Week 52 compared to placebo+MTX in pain as assessed by the Patient Assessment of Arthritis Pain (PAAP) – 48,5 vs - 44,0 (least square mean) (p<0.05).
DoseFlex clinical trial
The efficacy and safety of 2 dose regimens (200 mg every 2 weeks and 400 mg every 4 weeks) of Cimzia versus placebo were assessed in an 18-week, open-label, run-in, and 16-week randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in adult patients with active rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed according to the ACR criteria who had inadequate response to MTX.
Patients received loading doses of Cimzia 400 mg at weeks 0, 2, and 4 followed by Cimzia 200 mg every 2 weeks during the initial open label period. Responders (achieved ACR 20) at week 16 were randomised at week 18 to Cimzia 200 mg every 2 weeks, Cimzia 400 mg every 4 weeks, or placebo in combination with MTX for an additional 16 weeks (total trial length: 34 weeks). These 3 groups were well balanced with regards to clinical response following the active run-in period (ACR 20: 83-84% at week 18).
The primary endpoint of the study was the ACR 20 responder rate at week 34. The results at week 34 are shown in Table 7. Both Cimzia regimens showed sustained clinical response and were statistically significant compared to placebo at week 34. The ACR 20 endpoint was achieved for both Cimzia 200 mg every 2 weeks and 400 mg every 4 weeks.
Table 7 ACR response in DoseFlex clinical trial at week 34
Treatment regimen week 0 to 16
Cimzia 400 mg + MTX at week 0, 2 and 4, followed by Cimzia 200 mg + MTX every 2 weeks
Randomised, double-blind treatment regimen week 18 to 34
Placebo + MTX
N=69
Cimzia
200 mg + MTX every 2 weeks
N=70
Cimzia
400 mg + MTX every 4 weeks
N=69
ACR 20
p-value*
45%
N/A
67%
0.009
65%
0.017
ACR 50
p-value*
30%
N/A
50%
0.020
52%
0.010
ACR 70
p-value*
16%
N/A
30%
0.052
38%
0.005
N/A: Not Applicable
*Wald p-values for Cimzia 200 mg vs. placebo and Cimzia 400 mg vs. placebo comparisons are estimated from a logistic regression model with factors for treatment
Axial spondyloarthritis (non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis subpopulations)
AS001
The efficacy and safety of Cimzia were assessed in one multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (AS001) in 325 patients ≥18 years of age with adult-onset active axial spondyloarthritis for at least 3 months as defined by the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS) Classification Criteria for axial spondyloarthritis. The axial spondyloarthritis overall population included subpopulations with and without (non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis [nr-axSpA]) radiographic evidence for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) (also known as radiographic axial spondyloarthritis). Patients had active disease as defined by the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) ≥ 4, spinal pain ≥ 4 on a 0 to 10 Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and increased CRP or current evidence of sacroiliitis on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Patients must have been intolerant to or had an inadequate response to at least one NSAID. Overall, 16% of patients had prior TNF-antagonist exposure. Patients were treated with a loading dose of Cimzia 400 mg at Weeks 0, 2 and 4 (for both treatment arms) or placebo followed by either 200 mg of Cimzia every 2 weeks or 400 mg of Cimzia every 4 weeks or placebo. 87.7% of patients received concomitant NSAIDs. The primary efficacy endpoint was the ASAS20 response rate at Week 12. The 24-week double-blind, placebo-controlled treatment period of the study was followed by a 24-week dose-blind treatment period, and a 156-week open-label treatment period. The maximum duration of the study was 204 weeks. All patients received Cimzia in both the dose-blind and open-label follow-up periods. A total of 199 subjects (61.2% of randomized subjects) completed the study through Week 204.
Key efficacy outcomes
In AS001 clinical trial, at Week 12 ASAS20 responses were achieved by 58% of patients receiving Cimzia 200 mg every 2 weeks and 64% of patients receiving Cimzia 400 mg every 4 weeks as compared to 38% of patients receiving placebo (p<0.01). In the overall population, the percentage of ASAS20 responders was clinically relevant and significantly higher for the Cimzia 200 mg every 2 weeks and Cimzia 400 mg every 4 weeks treatment groups compared to placebo group at every visit from Week 1 through Week 24 (p≤0.001 at each visit). At Weeks 12 and 24, the percentage of subjects with an ASAS40 response was greater in the Cimzia-treated groups compared to placebo.
Similar results were achieved in both the ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis subpopulations. In women, ASAS20 responses were not statistically significantly different from placebo until after the Week 12 time point.
Improvements in ASAS5/6, Partial Remission and BASDAI-50 were statistically signficant at Week 12 and Week 24 and were sustained up to Week 48 in the overall popualtion as well as in the subpopulations. Key efficacy outcomes from the AS001 clinical trial are shown in Table -8.
Among patients remaining in the study, improvements in all afore-mentioned key efficacy outcomes were maintained through Week 204 in the overall population as well as in the subpopulations.
Table 8 Key efficacy outcomes in AS001 clinical trial (percent of patients)
Parameters
Ankylosing spondylitis
Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritits
Axial spondyloarthritis Overall Population
Placebo
N=57
Cimzia all dosing regimens
(a)
N=121
Placebo
N=50
Cimzia all dosing regimens
(a)
N=97
Placebo
N=107
Cimzia all dosing regimens
(a)
N=218
ASAS20
(b,c)
Week 12
Week 24
37%
33%
60%*
69%**
40%
24%
61%*
68%**
38%
29%
61%**
68%**
ASAS40
(c,d)
Week 12
Week 24
19%
16%
45%**
53%**
16%
14%
47%**
51%**
18%
15%
46%**
52%**
ASAS 5/6
(c,d)
Week 12
Week 24
9%
5%
42%**
40%**
8%
4%
44%**
45%**
8%
5%
43%**
42%**
Partial remission
(c,d)
Week 12
Week 24
2%
7%
20%**
28%**
6%
10%
29%**
33%**
4%
9%
24%**
30%**
BASDAI 50
(c,d)
Week 12
Week 24
11%
16%
41%**
49%**
16%
20%
49%**
57%**
13%
18%
45%**
52%**
(a)
Cimzia all dosing regimen = data from Cimzia 200 mg administered every 2 weeks preceded by a loading dose of 400 mg at Weeks 0, 2 and 4 plus Cimzia 400 mg administered every 4 weeks preceded by a loading dose of 400 mg at Weeks 0, 2 and 4
(b)
Results are from the randomized set
(c)
Wald p-values are quoted for the comparison of treatments using logistic regression with factors for treatment and region.
(d)
Full Analysis Set
NA = not available
*p≤0.05, Cimzia vs placebo
**p<0.001, Cimzia vs placebo
Spinal mobility
Spinal mobility was assessed in the double-blind, placebo-controlled period by using BASMI at several time points including Baseline, Week 12 and Week 24. Clinically meaningful and statistically significant differences in Cimzia-treated patients compared with placebo-treated patients were demonstrated at each post-baseline visit. The difference from placebo tended to be greater in nr-axSpA than in the AS subpopulation which may be due to less chronic structural damage in nr-axSpA patients.
The improvement in BASMI linear score achieved at Week 24 was maintained through Week 204 for patients who remained in the study.
Physical function response and health-related outcomes
In the AS001 clinical trial, Cimzia-treated patients reported significant improvements in physical function as assessed by the BASFI and in pain as assessed by the Total and Nocturnal Back Pain NRS scales as compared to placebo. Cimzia-treated patients reported significant improvements in tiredness (fatigue) as reported by the BASDAI-fatigue item and in health-related quality of life as measured by the ankylosing spondylitis QoL (ASQoL) and the SF-36 Physical and Mental Component Summaries and all domain scores as compared to placebo. Cimzia-treated patients reported significant improvements in axial spondyloarthritis-related productivity at work and within household, as reported by the Work Productivity Survey as compared to placebo. For patients remaining in the study, improvements in all afore-mentioned outcomes were largely maintained through Week 204.
Inhibition of inflammation in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
In an imaging sub-study including 153 patients, signs of inflammation were assessed by MRI at week 12 and expressed as change from baseline in SPARCC (Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada) score for sacroiliac joints and ASspiMRI-a score in the Berlin modifications for the spine. At week 12, significant inhibition of inflammatory signs in both sacroiliac joints and the spine was observed in the Cimzia-treated patients (all dose group), in the overall axial spondyloarthritis population as well as in the sub-populations of ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis.
Among patients remaining in the study, who had both baseline values and week 204 values, inhibition of inflammatory signs in both the sacroiliac joints (n=72) and spine (n=82) was largely maintained through Week 204 in the overall axial spondyloarthritis population as well as in both the AS and the nr-axSpA subpopulations.
C-OPTIMISE
The efficacy and safety of dose reduction and treatment withdrawal in patients in sustained remission were assessed in adult patients (18-45 years of age) with early active axSpA (symptom duration of less than 5 years), an ASDAS score ≥2.1 (and similar disease inclusion criteria as in the AS001 study), and who had inadequate response to at least 2 NSAIDs or an intolerance to or contraindication for NSAIDs. Patients included both the AS and nr-axSpA subpopulations of axSpA, and were enrolled into an open-label run-in 48-Week period (Part A) during which they all received 3 loading doses of Cimzia 400 mg at Weeks 0, 2, and 4 followed by Cimzia 200 mg every 2 weeks from Week 6 to Week 46.
Patients who achieved sustained remission (defined as having inactive disease [ASDAS<1.3] over a period of at least 12 weeks) and remained in remission at week 48, were randomized into Part B and received either Cimzia 200 mg every 2 weeks (N=104), Cimzia 200 mg every 4 weeks (dose reduction, N=105), or placebo (treatment withdrawal, N=104) for 48 Weeks.
The primary efficacy variable was the percentage of patients who did not experience a flare during Part B.
Patients who experienced a flare in Part B, ie, had an ASDAS ≥2.1 at 2 consecutive visits or ASDAS >3.5 at any visit during Part B, received escape treatment of Cimzia 200 mg every 2 weeks for at least 12 weeks (with a loading dose of Cimzia 400 mg at Week 0, 2 and 4 in placebo-treated patients).
Clinical response
The percentage of patients who achieved sustained remission at Week 48 in Part A was 43.9% for the overall axSpA population, and was similar in the nr axSpA (45.3%) and AS (42.8%) subpopulations.
Among the patients who were randomized in Part B (N=313), a statistically significant (p <0.001, NRI) greater proportion of patients did not experience a flare when continuing treatment with Cimzia 200 mg every 2 weeks (83.7%) or Cimzia 200 mg every 4 weeks (79.0%) compared with treatment withdrawal (20.2%).
The difference in time to flare between the treatment withdrawal group and either of the Cimzia treatment groups, was statistically significant (p<0.001 for each comparison) and clinically meaningful. In the placebo group, flares started approximately 8 weeks after Cimzia was withdrawn, with the majority of flares occurring within 24 weeks of treatment withdrawal (Figure 1).
Figure 1 Kaplan-Meier curve of time to flare
Non responder imputation (NRI) was used; Results are for the Randomized Set
Note: Time to flare was defined as the time from the date of randomization to the date of the flare. For study participants who did not have a flare, the time to flare was censored at the date of Week 96 Visit.
The Kaplan-Meier plot was truncated to 97 weeks when <5% of participants were still remaining in the study.
Results for Part B are presented in Table 9.
Table 9 Maintenance of clinical response in Part B at Week 96
Endpoints
Placebo
(treatment withdrawal)
N=104
CIMZIA 200 mg every 2 weeks
N=104
CIMZIA 200 mg every 4 weeks
N=105
ASDAS-MI, n (%)
1
Part B Baseline (Week 48)
84 (80.8)
90 (86.5)
89 (84.8)
Week 96
11 (10.6)
70 (67.3)*
61 (58.1)*
ASAS40, n (%)
1
Part B Baseline (Week 48)
101 (97.1)
103 (99.0)
101 (96.2)
Week 96
22 (21.2)
88 (84.6)*
77 (73.3)*
BASDAI change from Part B baseline (Week 48), LS mean (SE)
2
Week 96
3.02 (0.226)
0.56 (0.176)*
0.78 (0.176)*
ASDAS change from Part B baseline (Week 48), LS mean (SE)
2
Week 96
1.66 (0.110)
0.24 (0.077)*
0.45 (0.077)*
1
Non responder imputation (NRI) was used; Results are for the Randomized Set
2
mixed model with repeated measures (MMRM) was used; Results are for the Randomized Set
ASDAS-MI = Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score-Major Improvement; ASAS: Assessment of Sponyloarthritis international Society; ASAS40= ASAS40% response criteria; SE = Standard error;
Note: ASDAS major improvement is defined as a reduction from Baseline ≥2.0.
Note: Part A Baseline was used as a reference to define ASDAS clinical improvement variables and ASAS variables
* Nominal p<0.001, CIMZIA vs. placebo
Inhibition of inflammation in Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI)
In Part B, signs of inflammation were assessed by MRI at Week 48 and at Week 96 and expressed as change from baseline in SIJ SPARCC and ASspiMRI-a score in the Berlin modifications. Patients who were in sustained remission at Week 48 had no or very low inflammation, and no meaningful increase in inflammation was observed at Week 96 irrespective of their treatment group.
Retreatment in patients that experience a flare
In Part B, 70% (73/104) placebo-treated patients, 14% (15/105) patients treated with Cimzia 200 mg every 4 weeks and 6.7% (7/104) patients treated with Cimzia 200 mg every 2 weeks experienced a flare and were subsequently treated with Cimzia 200 mg every 2 weeks.
Among the 15 patients who flared in the group allocated to Cimzia 200 mg every 4 weeks, all patients completed 12 weeks of rescue therapy with Cimzia and had available ASDAS data, out of which 12 (80%) had ASDAS Low or Inactive disease (i.e. all ASDAS <2.1) after 12 weeks of restarting the open-label treatment.
Among the 73 patients who flared in the group allocated to treatment withdrawal, 71 patients completed 12 weeks of rescue therapy with Cimzia and had available ASDAS data, out of which 64 (90%) had ASDAS Low or Inactive disease (i.e. all ASDAS < 2.1) after 12 weeks of restarting the open-label treatment.
Based on the results from C-OPTIMISE, a dose reduction in patients in sustained remission after one year of treatment with Cimzia may be considered (see section 4.2). Withdrawal of Cimzia treatment is associated with a high risk of flare.
Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA)
The efficacy and safety of Cimzia were assessed in a 52 weeks multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (AS0006) in 317 patients ≥18 years of age with adult-onset axial spondyloarthritis and back pain for at least 12 months. Patients had to fulfil ASAS criteria for nr- axSpA (not including family history and good response to NSAIDs), and have had objective signs of inflammation indicated by C-reactive protein (CRP) levels above the upper limit of normal and/or sacroiliitis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), indicative of inflammatory disease [positive CRP (> ULN) and/or positive MRI], but without definitive radiographic evidence of structural damage on sacroiliac joints. Patients had active disease as defined by the BASDAI ≥4, and spinal pain ≥4 on a 0 to 10 NRS. Patients must have been intolerant to or had an inadequate response to at least two NSAIDs. Patients were treated with placebo or a loading dose of Cimzia 400 mg at Weeks 0, 2 and 4 followed by 200 mg of Cimzia every 2 weeks. Utilization and dose adjustment of standard of care medication (SC) (e.g., NSAIDs, DMARDs, corticosteroids, analgesics) were permitted at any time. The primary efficacy variable was the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score major improvement (ASDAS-MI) response at Week 52. ASDAS-MI response was defined as an ASDAS reduction (improvement) ≥ 2.0 relative to baseline or as reaching the lowest possible score. ASAS 40 was a secondary endpoint.
At baseline, 37 % and 41% of patients had high disease activity (ASDAS ≥2.1, ≤3.5) and 62% and 58% of patient had very high disease activity (ASDAS >3.5) in the CIMZIA group and placebo group respectively.
Clinical response
Study AS0006, performed in subjects without radiographic signs of inflammation in the SI joints, confirmed the effect previously demonstrated in this subgroup in the AS001 study.
At Week 52, a statistically significant greater proportion of patients treated with Cimzia achieved ASDAS-MI response compared to patients treated with placebo. Cimzia-treated patients also had improvements compared to placebo in multiple components of axial spondyloarthritis disease activity, including CRP. At both Week 12 and 52, ASAS 40 responses were significantly greater than placebo. Key results are presented in Table 10.
Table 10: ASDAS-MI and ASAS 40 responses in AS0006 (percent of patients)
Parameters
Placebo
N= 158
Cimzia
a
200 mg every 2 weeks
N= 159
ASDAS-MI
Week 52
7%
47%*
ASAS 40
Week 12
Week 52
11%
16%
48%*
57%*
a
Cimzia administered every 2 weeks preceded by a loading dose of 400 mg at Weeks 0, 2 and 4
* p<0.001
All percents reflect the proportion of patients who responded in the full analysis set.
At Week 52, the percentage of patients achieving ASDAS inactive disease (ASDAS < 1.3) was 36.4 % for the Cimzia group compared to 11.8 % for the placebo group.
At Week 52, patients treated with Cimzia showed a clinical meaningful improvement in the MASES compared to placebo (LS mean change from baseline -2.4 ; -0.2 respectively).
Psoriatic arthritis
The efficacy and safety of Cimzia were assessed in a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial (PsA001) in 409 patients ≥ 18 years of age with adult-onset active psoriatic arthritis for at least 6 months as defined by the Classification Criteria for Psoriatic Arthritis (CASPAR) criteria. Patients had ≥ 3 swollen and tender joints and increased acute phase reactants. Patients also had active psoriatic skin lesions or a documented history of psoriasis and had failed 1 or more DMARDs. Previous treatment with one TNF-antagonist was allowed and 20% of patients had prior TNF-antagonist exposure. Patients received a loading dose of Cimzia 400 mg at Weeks 0, 2 and 4 (for both treatment arms) or placebo followed by either Cimzia 200 mg every 2 weeks or 400 mg every 4 weeks or placebo every 2 weeks. Patients receiving concomitant NSAIDs and conventional DMARDs were 72.6% and 70.2% respectively. The two primary endpoints were the percentage of patients achieving ACR 20 response at Week 12 and change from baseline in modified Total Sharp Score (mTSS) at Week 24. Efficacy and safety of Cimzia in patients with PsA whose predominant symptoms were sacroiliitis or axial spondyloarthritis have not been separately analysed.
The 24-week double-blind placebo controlled treatment period of the study was followed by a 24-week dose-blind treatment period and an 168-week open-label treatment period. The maximum duration of the study was 216 weeks. All patients received Cimzia in both the dose-blind and open-label follow-up periods. A total of 264 subjects (64.5%) completed the study through Week 216.
ACR response
Cimzia-treated patients had a statistically significant higher ACR 20 response rate at Week 12 and Week 24 compared with placebo-treated patients (p<0.001). The percentage of ACR 20 responders was clinically relevant for the Cimzia 200 mg every 2 weeks and Cimzia 400 mg every 4 weeks treatment groups compared to placebo group at every visit after baseline through Week 24 (nominal p≤0.001 at each visit). Cimzia treated patients also had significant improvements in ACR 50 and 70 response rates. At week 12 and 24 improvements in parameters of peripheral activity characteristic of psoriatic arthritis (e.g. number of swollen joints, number of painful/tender joints, dactylitis and enthesitis) were seen in the Cimzia-treated patients (nominal p-value p<0.01).
Key efficacy outcomes from the PsA001 clinical trial are shown in Table 11.
Table 11 Key efficacy outcomes in PsA001 clinical trial (percent of patients)
Response
Placebo
N=136
Cimzia
(a)
200 mg
Q2W
N=138
Cimzia
(b)
400 mg
Q4W
N=135
ACR20
Week 12
Week 24
24%
24%
58%**
64%**
52%**
56%**
ACR50
Week 12
Week 24
11%
13%
36%**
44%**
33%**
40%**
ACR70
Week 12
Week 24
3%
4%
25%**
28%**
13%*
24%**
Response
Placebo
N=86
Cimzia
(a)
200 mg
Q2W
N=90
Cimzia
(b)
400 mg
Q4W
N=76
PASI 75
(c)
Week 12
Week 24
Week 48
14%
15%
N/A
47%***
62%***
67%
47%***
61%***
62%
(
a)
Cimzia administered every 2 weeks preceded by a loading dose of 400 mg at Weeks 0, 2 and 4
(b)
Cimzia administered every 4 weeks preceded by a loading dose of 400 mg at Weeks 0, 2 and 4
(c)
In subjects with at least 3% psoriasis BSA at Baseline
*p<0.01, Cimzia vs placebo
**p<0.001, Cimzia vs placebo
***p<0.001(nominal), Cimzia vs placebo
Results are from the randomized set.Treatment Difference: Cimzia 200 mg-placebo, Cimzia 400 mg- placebo (and corresponding 95% CI and p-value) are estimated using a standard two-sided Wald asymptotic standard errors test. Non-responder Imputation (NRI) is used for patients who escaped therapy or had missing data.
Among 273 patients initially randomised to Cimzia 200 mg every 2 weeks and Cimzia 400 mg every 4 weeks, 237 (86.8%) were still on this treatment at Week 48. Of the 138 patients randomised to Cimzia 200 mg every 2 weeks, 92, 68 and 48 had an ACR 20/50/70 response, at Week 48 respectively. Of the 135 patients randomised to Cimzia 400 mg every 4 weeks, 89, 62 and 41 patients had an ACR 20/50/70 response, respectively.
Among patients remaining in the study, ACR 20, 50 and 70 response rates were maintained through Week 216. This was also the case for the other parameters of peripheral activity (e.g. number of swollen joints, number of painful/tender joints, dactylitis and enthesitis).
Radiographic response
In PsA001 clinical trial, inhibition of progression of structural damage was assessed radiographically and expressed as the change in modified total Sharp score (mTSS) and its components, the Erosion Score (ES) and Joint Space Narrowing score (JSN) at Week 24, compared to baseline. The mTSS Score was modified for psoriatic arthritis by addition of hand distal interphalangeal joints. Cimzia treatment inhibited the radiographic progression compared with placebo treatment at Week 24 as measured by change from baseline in total mTSS Score (LS mean [±SE] score was 0.28 [±0.07] in the placebo group compared with 0.06 [±0.06] in the Cimzia all doses group; p=0.007). Inhibition of radiographic progression was maintained with Cimzia treatment up to Week 48 in the subset of patients at higher risk of radiographic progression (patients with a Baseline mTSS score of > 6). Inhibition of radiographic progression was further maintained up to Week 216 for the patients who remained in the study.
Physical function response and health-related outcomes
In PsA001 clinical trial, Cimzia-treated patients reported significant improvements in physical function as assessed by the Health Assessment Questionnaire – Disability Index (HAQ-DI), in pain as assessed by the PAAP and in tiredness (fatigue) as reported by the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS) as compared to placebo. Cimzia-treated patients reported significant improvements in health-related quality of life as measured by the psoriatic arthritis QoL (PsAQoL) and the SF-36 Physical and Mental Components and in psoriatic arthritis-related productivity at work and within household, as reported by the Work Productivity Survey compared to placebo. Improvements in all afore-mentioned outcomes were maintained through Week 216.
Plaque psoriasis
The efficacy and safety of Cimzia were assessed in two placebo-controlled studies (CIMPASI-1 and CIMPASI-2) and one placebo- and active-controlled study (CIMPACT) in patients ≥18 years of age with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis for at least 6 months. Patients had a Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score ≥ 12, body surface area (BSA) involvement of ≥ 10%, Physician Global Assessment (PGA) of ≥ 3, and were candidates for systemic therapy and/or phototherapy and/or chemophototherapy. Patients who were 'primary' non-responders on any prior biologic therapy (defined as no response within the first 12 weeks of treatment) were excluded from the phase III studies (CIMPASI-1, CIMPASI-2 and CIMPACT). The efficacy and safety of Cimzia were evaluated versus etanercept in the CIMPACT study.
In studies CIMPASI-1 and CIMPASI-2 the co-primary efficacy endpoints were the proportion of patients achieving PASI 75 and PGA “clear” or “almost clear” (with at least a 2-point reduction from baseline) at Week 16. In the CIMPACT study, the primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving PASI 75 at Week 12. PASI75 and PGA at Week 16 were key secondary endpoints. PASI 90 at Week 16 was a key secondary endpoint in all 3 studies.
CIMPASI-1 and CIMPASI-2 evaluated 234 patients and 227 patients respectively. In both studies patients were randomized to receive placebo or Cimzia 200 mg every 2 weeks (following a loading dose of Cimzia 400 mg at Weeks 0, 2 and 4) or Cimzia 400 mg every 2 weeks. At week 16, patients randomized to Cimzia who achieved a PASI 50 response continued to receive Cimzia up to Week 48 at the same randomized dose. Patients originally randomized to placebo that achieved a PASI 50 response but not a PASI 75 response at Week 16 received Cimzia 200 mg every 2 weeks (with a loading dose of Cimzia 400 mg at Weeks 16, 18, and 20). Patients with an inadequate response at Week 16 (PASI 50 non-responders) were eligible to receive Cimzia 400 mg every 2 weeks in an open-label manner for a maximum of 128 weeks.
The CIMPACT study evaluated 559 patients. Patients were randomized to receive placebo, or Cimzia 200 mg every 2 weeks (following a loading dose of Cimzia 400 mg at Weeks 0, 2 and 4), or Cimzia 400 mg every 2 weeks up to Week 16, or etanercept 50 mg twice weekly, up to Week 12. Patients originally randomized to Cimzia who achieved a PASI75 response at Week 16 were re-randomized based on their original dosing schedule. Patients on Cimzia 200 mg every 2 weeks were re-randomized to Cimzia 200 mg every 2 weeks, Cimzia 400 mg every 4 weeks or placebo. Patient on Cimzia 400 mg every 2 weeks were re-randomized to Cimzia 400 mg every 2 weeks, Cimzia 200 mg every 2 weeks, or placebo. Patients were evaluated in a double-blind placebo-controlled manner through Week 48. All subjects who did not achieve a PASI 75 response at Week 16 entered an escape arm and received Cimzia 400 mg every 2 weeks in an open-label manner for a maximum of 128 weeks.
In all three studies, the blinded 48-week maintenance period was followed by a 96-week open-label treatment period for the patients who were PASI 50 responders at Week 48. All these patients, including those receiving Cimzia 400 mg every 2 weeks, started the open-label period at Cimzia 200 mg every 2 weeks.
Patients were predominantly men (64%) and Caucasian (94%), with a mean age of 45.7 years (18 to 80 years); of these, 7.2% were ≥ 65 years of age. Of the 850 patients randomized to receive placebo or Cimzia in these placebo-controlled studies, 29% of patients were naïve to prior systemic therapy for the treatment of psoriasis. 47% had received prior phototherapy or chemophototherapy, and 30% had received prior biologic therapy for the treatment of psoriasis. Of the 850 patients, 14% had received at least one TNF-antagonist, 13% had received an anti-IL-17, and 5% had received an anti-IL 12/ 23. Eighteen percent of patients reported a history of psoriatic arthritis at baseline. The mean PASI score at baseline was 20 and ranged from 12 to 69. The baseline PGA score ranged from moderate (70%) to severe (30%). Mean baseline BSA was 25% and ranged from 10% to 96%.
Clinical response at Week 16 and 48
The key results of CIMPASI-1 and CIMPASI-2 studies are presented in Table 12.
Table 12: Clinical response in studies CIMPASI-1 and CIMPASI-2 at Week 16 and Week 48
Week 16
Week 48
CIMPASI-1
Placebo
N=51
Cimzia 200 mg Q2W
a)
N=95
Cimzia 400 mg Q2W
N=88
Cimzia 200 mg Q2W
N=95
Cimzia 400 mg Q2W
N=88
PGA clear or almost clear
b)
4.2%
47.0%*
57.9%*
52.7%
69.5%
PASI 75
6.5%
66.5%*
75.8%*
67.2%
87.1%
PASI 90
0.4%
35.8%*
43.6%*
42.8%
60.2%
CIMPASI-2
Placebo
N=49
Cimzia 200 mg Q2W
a)
N=91
Cimzia 400 mg Q2W
N=87
Cimzia 200 mg Q2W
N= 91
Cimzia 400 mg Q2W
N= 87
PGA clear or almost clear
b)
2.0%
66.8%*
71.6%*
72.6%
66.6%
PASI 75
11.6%
81.4%*
82.6%*
78.7%
81.3%
PASI 90
4.5%
52.6%*
55.4%*
59.6%
62.0%
a)
Cimzia 200 mg administered every 2 weeks preceded by a loading dose of 400 mg at Week 0, 2, 4.
b)
PGA 5 category scale. Treatment success of “clear” (0) or “almost clear”(1) consisted of no signs of psoriasis or normal to pink coloration of lesions, no thickening of the plaque, and none to minimal focal scaling.
* Cimzia vs placebo: p< 0.0001.
Response rates and p-values for PASI and PGA were estimated based on a logistic regression model where missing data were imputed using multiple imputation based on the MCMC method. Subject who escaped or withdrew (based on not achieving PASI 50 response) were treated as non-responders at Week 48.
Results are from the Randomized Set.
The key results of the CIMPACT trial are presented in Table 13.
Table 13: Clinical response in CIMPACT study at Week 12 and Week 16
Week 12
Week 16
Placebo
N=57
Cimzia 200 mg Q2W
a)
N=165
Cimzia 400 mg Q2W
N=167
Etanercept 50 mg BiW
N=170
Placebo
N=57
Cimzia 200 mg Q2W
N=165
Cimzia 400 mg Q2W
N=167
PASI 75
5%
61.3%*
,§
66.7%*
,§§
53.3%
3.8%
68.2%*
74.7%*
PASI 90
0.2%
31.2%*
34.0%*
27.1%
0.3%
39.8%*
49.1%*
PGA clear or almost clear
b)
1.9%
39.8%**
50.3%*
39.2%
3.4%
48.3%*
58.4%*
a)
Cimzia 200 mg administered every 2 weeks preceded by a loading dose of 400 mg at Week 0, 2, 4.
b)
PGA 5 category scale. Treatment success of “clear” (0) or “almost clear”(1) consisted of no signs of psoriasis or normal to pink coloration of lesions, no thickening of the plaque, and none to minimal focal scaling.
* Cimzia vs placebo: p< 0.0001.
§
Cimzia 200 mg every 2 weeks versus etanercept 50 mg twice weekly demonstrated non-inferiority (difference between etanercept and Cimzia 200 mg every 2 weeks was 8.0%, 95% CI -2.9, 18.9, based on a pre-specified non-inferiority margin of 10%).
§§
Cimzia 400 mg every 2 weeks versus etanercept 50 mg twice weekly demonstrated superiority (p<0.05)
** Cimzia vs Placebo p< 0.001. Response rates and p-values based on a logistic regression model.
Missing data were imputed using multiple imputation based on the MCMC method. Results are from the Randomized Set.
In all 3 studies, the PASI 75 response rate was significantly greater for Cimzia compared to placebo starting at Week 4.
Both doses of Cimzia demonstrated efficacy compared to placebo regardless of age, gender, body weight, BMI, psoriasis disease duration, previous treatment with systemic therapies and previous treatment with biologics.
Maintenance of response
In an integrated analysis of CIMPASI-1 and CIMPASI-2, among patients who were PASI 75 responders at Week 16 and received Cimzia 400 mg every 2 weeks (N=134 of 175 randomised subjects) or Cimzia 200 mg every 2 weeks (N=132 of 186 randomised subjects), the maintenance of response at Week 48 was 98.0% and 87.5%, respectively. Among patients who were PGA clear or almost clear at Week 16 and received Cimzia 400 mg every 2 weeks (N=103 of 175) or Cimzia 200 mg every 2 weeks (N=95 of 186), the maintenance of response at Week 48 was 85.9% and 84.3% respectively.
After an additional 96 weeks of open-label treatment (Week 144) the maintenance of response was evaluated. Twenty-one percent of all randomised subjects were lost to follow-up before Week 144. Approximately 27% of completer study subjects who entered the open-label treatment between weeks 48 to 144 on Cimzia 200 mg every 2 weeks had their dose increased to Cimzia 400 mg every 2 weeks for maintenance of response. In an analysis in which all patients with treatment failures were considered non-responders, the maintenance of response of the Cimzia 200 mg every 2 weeks treatment group for the respective endpoint, after an additional 96 weeks of open-label therapy, was 84.5% for PASI 75 for study subjects who were responders at Week 16 and 78.4% for PGA clear or almost clear. The maintenance of response of the Cimzia 400 mg every 2 weeks treatment group, who entered the open-label period at Cimzia 200 mg every 2 weeks, was 84.7% for PASI 75 for study subjects who were responders at Week 16 and 73.1% for PGA clear or almost clear.
These response rates were based on a logistic regression model where missing data were imputed over 48 or 144 weeks using multiple imputation (MCMC method) combined with NRI for treatment failures.
In the CIMPACT study, among PASI 75 responders at Week 16 who received Cimzia 400 mg every 2 weeks and were re-randomized to either Cimzia 400 mg every 2 weeks, Cimzia 200 mg every 2 weeks, or placebo, there was a higher percentage of PASI 75 responders at Week 48 in the Cimzia groups as compared to placebo (98.0%, 80.0%, and 36.0%, respectively). Among PASI75 responders at Week 16 who received Cimzia 200 mg every 2 weeks and were re-randomized to either Cimzia 400 mg every 4 weeks, Cimzia 200 mg every 2 weeks, or placebo, there was also a higher percentage of PASI 75 responders at Week 48 in the Cimzia groups as compared to placebo (88.6%, 79.5%, and 45.5%, respectively). Non-responder imputation was used for missing data.
Quality of life / Patient reported outcomes
Statistically significant improvements at Week 16 (CIMPASI-1 and CIMPASI-2) from baseline compared to placebo were demonstrated in the DLQI (Dermatology Life Quality Index). Mean decreases (improvements) in DLQI from baseline ranged from -8.9 to -11.1 with Cimzia 200 mg every 2 weeks, from -9.6 to -10.0 with Cimzia 400 mg every 2 weeks, versus -2.9 to -3.3 for placebo at Week 16.
In addition, at Week 16, Cimzia treatment was associated with a greater proportion of patients achieving a DLQI score of 0 or 1 (Cimzia 400 mg every 2 weeks, 45.5% and 50.6% respectively; Cimzia 200 mg every 2 weeks, 47.4% and 46.2% respectively, versus placebo, 5.9% and 8.2% respectively).
Improvements in DLQI score were sustained or slightly decreased through Week 144.
Cimzia -treated patients reported greater improvements compared to placebo in the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)-D.
Immunogenicity
The data below reflect the percentage of patients whose test results were considered positive for antibodies to certolizumab pegol in an ELISA and later in a more sensitive method, and are highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the assay. The observed incidence of antibody (including neutralizing antibody) positivity in an assay is highly dependent on several factors, including assay sensitivity and specificity, assay methodology, sample handling, timing of sample collection, concomitant medications, and underlying disease. For these reasons, comparison of the incidence of antibodies to certolizumab pegol in the studies described below with the incidence of antibodies in other studies or to other products may be misleading.
Rheumatoid arthritis
The overall percentage of patients with antibodies to Cimzia detectable on at least 1 occasion was 9.6% in RA placebo-controlled trials. Approximately one-third of antibody-positive patients had antibodies with neutralising activity
in vitro
. Patients treated with concomitant immunosuppressants (MTX) had a lower rate of antibody development than patients not taking immunosuppressants at baseline. Antibody formation was associated with lowered drug plasma concentration and in some patients, reduced efficacy.
In 2 long-term (up to 5 years of exposure) open-label studies, the overall percentage of patients with antibodies to Cimzia detectable on at least one occasion was 13% (8.4% of the overall patients had transient formation of antibodies and an additional 4.7% had persistent formation of antibodies to Cimzia). The overall percentage of patients that were antibody positive with a persistent reduction of drug plasma concentration was estimated to be 9.1%. Similar to the placebo-controlled studies, antibody positivity was associated with reduced efficacy in some patients.
A pharmacodynamic model based on the Phase III trial data predicts that around 15% of the patients develop antibodies in 6 months at the recommended dose regimen (200 mg every 2 weeks following a loading dose) without MTX co-treatment. This number decreases with increasing doses of concomitant MTX treatment. These data are reasonably in agreement with observed data.
Psoriatic arthritis
The overall percentage of patients with antibodies to Cimzia detectable on at least one occasion up to Week 24 was 11.7% in the Phase III placebo-controlled trial in patients with psoriatic arthritis. Antibody formation was associated with lowered drug plasma concentration.
Over the course of the entire study (up to 4 years of exposure), the overall percentage of patients with antibodies to Cimzia detectable on at least one occasion was 17.3% (8.7% had transient formation and an additional 8.7% had persistent formation of antibodies to Cimzia). The overall percentage of patients that were antibody positive with a persistent reduction of drug plasma concentration was estimated to be 11.5%.
Plaque psoriasis
In the Phase III placebo- and active-controlled studies, the percentages of patients who were positive for antibodies to Cimzia on at least one occasion during treatment up to Week 48 were 8.3 % (22/265) and 19.2% (54/281) for the Cimzia 400 mg every 2 weeks and Cimzia 200 mg every 2 weeks respectively. In CIMPASI-1 and CIMPASI-2, sixty patients were antibody positive, 27 of these patients were evaluable for neutralizing antibodies and tested positive. First occurrences of antibody positivity in the open-label treatment period were observed in 2.8% (19/668) of patients. Antibody positivity was associated with lowered drug plasma concentration and in some patients with reduced efficacy.
Axial spondyloarthritis
AS001
The overall percentage of patients with antibodies to Cimzia detectable on at least one occasion up to Week 24 was 4.4% in the AS001 phase III placebo-controlled trial in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis subpopulations). Antibody formation was associated with lowered drug plasma concentration.
Over the course of the entire study (up to 192 weeks), the overall percentage of patients with antibodies to Cimzia detectable on at least one occasion was 9.6% (4.8% had transient formation and an additional 4.8% had persistent formation of antibodies to Cimzia). The overall percentage of patients that were antibody positive with a persistent reduction of drug plasma concentration was estimated to be 6.8%.
AS0006 and C-OPTIMISE
A more sensitive and drug tolerant assay was used for the first time in the AS0006 study (and later also in the C-OPTIMISE study), resulting in a greater proportion of samples having measurable antibodies to Cimzia and thus a greater incidence of patients being classed as antibody positive. In AS0006, the overall incidence of patients who were antibody positive Cimzia was 97% (248/255 patients) after up to 52 weeks of treatment. Only the highest titers were associated with reduced Cimzia plasma levels, however, no impact on efficacy was observed. Similar results in relation to antibodies to Cimzia were seen in C-OPTIMISE. Results from C-OPTIMISE also indicated that a reduction of the dose to Cimzia 200 mg every 4 weeks did not change immunogenicity outcomes.
About 22% (54/248) of the patients in AS0006 who were anti-Cimzia antibody positive at any time, had antibodies that were classified as neutralizing. The neutralizing status of antibodies in C-OPTIMISE was not assessed.
⚠️ Warnings
Comprehensive instructions for the preparation and administration of Cimzia in a dose-dispenser cartridge are given in the package leaflet and in the user manual provided with the electromechanical injection device ava.
This medicinal product is for single use only. Any unused product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.