A Study of Rituximab (MabThera®/Rituxan®) in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis and Inadequate Response to Methotrexate

Sponsor
Hoffmann-La Roche
Study ID
NCT00578305
Phase
PHASE3
Status
Completed

Conditions

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - 80 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Rituximab — BIOLOGICAL
    Rituximab was supplied as a sterile liquid for iv administration.
  • Placebo — DRUG
    Placebo was supplied as a sterile liquid in single-use vials for iv administration.
  • Methylprednisolone — DRUG
  • Methotrexate — DRUG
  • Folic acid or folate — DRUG

Study Details

This 3 arm study assessed the efficacy of rituximab (MabThera®/Rituxan®) in the prevention of progression of structural joint damage in participants with active rheumatoid arthritis who had an inadequate clinical response to methotrexate. Participants were randomized to receive rituximab 500 mg intravenously (iv), rituximab 1000 mg iv, or placebo iv on days 1 and 15 every 24 weeks in the main study; all participants received concomitant methotrexate at a stable dose of 12.5-25 mg/week throughout the study. Further courses of rituximab were provided to eligible participants. Structural joint damage was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at baseline and at intervals during the study.

Key Dates

Start date
Nov 30, 2007
Status verified
Mar 2015
Primary completion
Nov 30, 2009
Completion
May 31, 2013

Study Design

Enrollment
185 participants (actual)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: Rituximab 500 mg
    Participants received rituximab 500 mg iv on Day 1 and Day 15 of the main study. Participants received a second course of treatment on Day 1 and Day 15 after Week 24 of the main study, if they met eligibility criteria (see the Detailed Description). Participants received further treatment courses on Day 1 and Day 15 at intervals of ≥ 6 months after Week 52 in the study extension phase, if they met eligibility criteria (see the Detailed Description). Throughout the study, participants received methylprednisolone 100 mg iv prior to infusion of the investigational drug, methotrexate 7.5 to 25 mg/week orally or parenterally, and folic acid or folate ≥ 5 mg/week orally.
  • Experimental: Rituximab 1000 mg
    Participants received rituximab 1000 mg iv on Day 1 and Day 15 of the main study. Participants received a second course of treatment on Day 1 and Day 15 after Week 24 of the main study, if they met eligibility criteria (see the Detailed Description). Participants received further treatment courses on Day 1 and Day 15 at intervals of ≥ 6 months after Week 52 in the study extension phase, if they met eligibility criteria (see the Detailed Description). Throughout the study, participants received methylprednisolone 100 mg iv prior to infusion of the investigational drug, methotrexate 7.5 to 25 mg/week orally or parenterally, and folic acid or folate ≥ 5 mg/week orally.
  • Placebo Comparator: Placebo
    Participants received placebo intravenously (iv) on Day 1 and Day 15 of the main study. Participants received a second course of treatment on Day 1 and Day 15 after Week 24 of the main study, if they met eligibility criteria (see the Detailed Description). Participants were switched to receive rituximab 1000 mg iv on Day 1 and Day 15 at intervals of ≥ 6 months after Week 52 in the study extension phase, if they met eligibility criteria (see the Detailed Description). Throughout the study, participants received methylprednisolone 100 mg iv prior to infusion of the investigational drug, methotrexate 7.5 to 25 mg/week orally or parenterally, and folic acid or folate ≥ 5 mg/week orally.

Primary Outcome Measure

Change in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Erosion Score From Baseline to Week 24 [ Time Frame: Baseline to Week 24 ]

Related Studies