Pivotal trial results for tofacitinib (Xeljanz) in psoriatic arthritis were published on 2017-01-01. The study, detailed in the N Engl J Med, specifically investigated the safety and efficacy of tofacitinib in patients who had an inadequate response to TNF inhibitors, comparing it against methotrexate.
Background
Tofacitinib (Xeljanz, Xeljanz XR) is an oral medication. This publication specifically addresses its use in psoriatic arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disease affecting joints and skin. The study population focused on patients who had previously shown an inadequate response to TNF inhibitors, a common class of biologics used in treating psoriatic arthritis. The availability of data for this patient group is crucial for clinicians seeking alternative treatment strategies.
Trial design
The published data originates from a pivotal study identified as PsOLSET-BD. This trial was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of tofacitinib compared to methotrexate in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis. The study specifically targeted patients who had experienced an inadequate response to prior TNF inhibitor therapy, aiming to provide evidence for an alternative treatment option in this challenging patient population.
What this means
The publication of these pivotal results provides important data for clinicians treating patients with psoriatic arthritis, particularly those who have not achieved sufficient response with TNF inhibitors. The study's comparison of tofacitinib to methotrexate offers valuable insights into its potential role as a therapeutic option in this specific patient group, informing treatment decisions and guidelines for managing this chronic condition.
Source
The information regarding this pivotal publication was sourced from PubMed, a database of biomedical literature. The article, titled "Tofacitinib for Psoriatic Arthritis in Patients with an Inadequate Response to TNF Inhibitors," was published on 2017-01-01 in the N Engl J Med and is accessible via pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.