OPtimising Treatment with Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) Inhibitors in Rheumatoid Arthritis: is dose tapering practical in good responders?

ISRCTN ISRCTN28955701
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN28955701
EudraCT/CTIS number 2010-020738-24
Secondary identifying numbers OPTTIRA Protocol - Version 1.1 - 14.09.10
Submission date
24/11/2010
Registration date
25/05/2011
Last edited
06/06/2018
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Musculoskeletal Diseases
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English Summary

Not provided at time of registration

Contact information

Prof David Scott
Scientific

King's Musculoskeletal Clinical Trials Unit
Department of Academic Rheumatology
King's College London
Weston Education Centre
Cutcombe Road
Denmark Hill
London
SE5 9RJ
United Kingdom

Email d.scott1@nhs.net

Study information

Study designRandomised controlled open-label multicentre proof of principle trial followed by an open exploratory phase trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleOPtimising Treatment with Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) Inhibitors in Rheumatoid Arthritis: is dose tapering practical in good responders? A 'proof of principle' and exploratory trial
Study acronymOPTTIRA
Study hypothesisOur hypothesis is that tapering TNF inhibitors (to a minimum of one third of the initial induction doses) will not adversely affect disease control in established RA patients who have achieved a good response to standard doses of TNF inhibitors and are also receiving disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). We consider an increase of disease activity score (DAS28) at least 0.6 represents a clinical important change.
Ethics approval(s)North West London REC 2, 12/10/2010, ref: 10/H0720/69
ConditionRheumatoid arthritis
InterventionPatients will be randomised to one of three tapering groups:
1. Experimental group 1: patients have their TNF inhibitor tapered to 66% of initial dose by reducing frequency of dosing
2. Experimental group 2: patients have their TNF inhibitor tapered to 33% of initial dose by reducing frequency of dosing
3. Control group: patients continue on standard doses

If the proof of principle phase supports TNF inhibitor tapering, patients will enter an exploratory extension study.

Progression to the Exploratory phase for Experimental groups 1 and 2 will be based on the patient level eligibility criteria to ensure that it is appropriate for the patient to continue tapering. The Proof of Principle Control Group will have their TNF inhibitors tapered over 6 months to either 66% or 33% by reducing the frequency of their injections. Patients originally in the tapering groups will have their TNF inhibitors reduced further over 6 months by increasing the time between injections on each occasion until they are stopped completely.
Intervention typeDrug
Pharmaceutical study type(s)
PhaseNot Applicable
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)
Primary outcome measureThe development of flares, defined as an increase in DAS28 scores at least 0.6. To ensure such changes in DAS28 represent a genuine flare in RA and are not due to unrelated events (e.g. an inter-current illness like influenza) additional criteria required for a flare are:
1. It must include an increase in the swollen joint count
2. It must be present on two occasions at least one week apart
3. It results in DAS28 scores greater than 3.2

Large increases in DAS28 scores (1.2 or more) which result in DAS28 greater than 3.2 will not require any additional criteria. DAS28 measurements at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 monthly assessments. The participants will also be telephoned every month to check whether their RA symptoms have increased. If it is suspected a patient is experiencing a flare, they should come in for a flare assessment within 2 weeks.
Secondary outcome measures1. DAS28 [tender and swollen joint counts, patient global Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)] and Extended Joint Count 68/66, monitored at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months
2. Simple disease activity score (SDAI) and clinical disease activity score (CDAI), at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months
3. Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) scores, at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months
4. Adverse events, at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months
5. EuroQol scores, at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months
6. SF-36, at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months
7. Plain x-rays of the hands and feet scored by Larsens and Van Der Heijdi Sharpe Modified Scores (to provide preliminary data), at baseline, 6, and 12 months
8. Analysis of serum, immunological and gene expression profiles; biomarker blood taken at baseline for the experimental groups and at 6 months for the control group
Overall study start date14/12/2010
Overall study end date31/08/2013

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants99
Participant inclusion criteria1. RA by American College of Rheumatology and EULAR criteria
2. Etanercept or adalimumab treatment for at least 6 months (a break of up to 4 consecutive weeks is permitted)
3. Taking at least one DMARD
4. Stable clinical response for at least 3 months (one DAS28 score of 3.2 or less; no increase in DAS28 greater than 0.6)
5. Patient considers he or she has achieved a suitable response to TNF inhibitors
6. Supervising rheumatologist considers further improvements are unlikely on the patients current treatment regimen
7. At least 18 years of age, either sex
8. Willing and able to give informed consent
Participant exclusion criteria1. Serious concurrent illness (e.g. terminal cancer)
2. Prednisolone at more than 10mg daily (for doses > 10mg daily, a 4 week washout period is required)
3. Recently received intramuscular (IM)/intra-areterial (IA) steroids (12 weeks washout required)
4. Pregnancy, breast-feeding or women of child-bearing potential not using adequate contraception
Recruitment start date14/12/2010
Recruitment end date31/08/2013

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

King's College London
London
SE5 9RJ
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

King's College London (KCL) (UK)
University/education

The Strand
London
WC2R 2LS
England
United Kingdom

Website http://www.kcl.ac.uk/index.aspx
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/0220mzb33

Funders

Funder type

Charity

Arthritis Research UK (UK)
Private sector organisation / Other non-profit organizations
Location
United Kingdom

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article results 01/11/2017 Yes No
Results article results 17/05/2018 Yes No
HRA research summary 28/06/2023 No No

Editorial Notes

06/06/2018: Publication reference added.
03/10/2017: Publication reference added.