Contents of the package leaflet for the medicine XELJANZ 5mg film-coated tablets
1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
XELJANZ 5 mg film-coated tablets
XELJANZ 10 mg film-coated tablets
2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
XELJANZ 5 mg film-coated tablets
Each film-coated tablet contains tofacitinib citrate, equivalent to 5 mg tofacitinib.
Excipient with known effectEach filmcoated tablet contains 59.44 mg of lactose.
XELJANZ 10 mg film-coated tablets
Each film-coated tablet contains tofacitinib citrate, equivalent to 10 mg tofacitinib.
Excipient with known effectEach film-coated tablet contains 118.88 mg of lactose.
For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.
3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Film-coated tablet (tablet)
XELJANZ 5 mg film-coated tablets
White, round tablet of 7.9 mm diameter, debossed “Pfizer” on one side and “JKI 5” on the other.
XELJANZ 10 mg film-coated tablets
Blue, round tablet of 9.5 mm diameter, debossed “Pfizer” on one side and “JKI 10” on the other.
4. CLINICAL PARTICULARS
4.1 Therapeutic indications
Rheumatoid arthritisTofacitinib in combination with methotrexate (MTX) is indicated for the treatment of moderate tosevere active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adult patients who have responded inadequately to, or whoare intolerant to one or more disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) (see section 5.1).
Tofacitinib can be given as monotherapy in case of intolerance to MTX or when treatment with MTXis inappropriate (see sections 4.4 and 4.5).
Psoriatic arthritisTofacitinib in combination with MTX is indicated for the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis (PsA)in adult patients who have had an inadequate response or who have been intolerant to a priordisease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy (see section 5.1).
Ankylosing spondylitisTofacitinib is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS) whohave responded inadequately to conventional therapy.
Ulcerative colitisTofacitinib is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerativecolitis (UC) who have had an inadequate response, lost response, or were intolerant to eitherconventional therapy or a biologic agent (see section 5.1).
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)Tofacitinib is indicated for the treatment of active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis(rheumatoid factor positive [RF+] or negative [RF-] polyarthritis and extended oligoarthritis), andjuvenile psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in patients 2 years of age and older, who have responded inadequatelyto previous therapy with DMARDs.
Tofacitinib can be given in combination with methotrexate (MTX) or as monotherapy in case ofintolerance to MTX or where continued treatment with MTX is inappropriate.
4.2 Posology and method of administration
Treatment should be initiated and supervised by specialist physicians experienced in the diagnosis andtreatment of conditions for which tofacitinib is indicated.
PosologyRheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis
The recommended dose is 5 mg film-coated tablets administered twice daily, which should not beexceeded.
No dose adjustment is required when used in combination with MTX.
For information on switching between tofacitinib film-coated tablets and tofacitinib prolonged-releasetablets see Table 1.
Table 1: Switching between tofacitinib film-coated tablets and tofacitinib prolonged-release tablets
Switching between tofacitinib Treatment with tofacitinib 5 mg film-coated tablets twice daily and5 mg film-coated tablets and tofacitinib 11 mg prolonged-release tablet once daily may be switchedtofacitinib 11 mg between each other on the day following the last dose of either tablet.prolonged-release tabletaa See section 5.2 for comparison of pharmacokinetics of prolonged-release and film-coated formulations.
Ankylosing spondylitisThe recommended dose of tofacitinib is 5 mg administered twice daily.
Ulcerative colitisInduction treatment
The recommended dose is 10 mg given orally twice daily for induction for 8 weeks.
For patients who do not achieve adequate therapeutic benefit by week 8, the induction dose of 10 mgtwice daily can be extended for an additional 8 weeks (16 weeks total), followed by 5 mg twice dailyfor maintenance. Tofacitinib induction therapy should be discontinued in any patient who shows noevidence of therapeutic benefit by week 16.
Maintenance treatmentThe recommended dose for maintenance treatment is tofacitinib 5 mg given orally twice daily.
Tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily for maintenance treatment is not recommended in patients with UC whohave known venous thromboembolism (VTE), major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) andmalignancy risk factors, unless there is no suitable alternative treatment available (see section 4.4 and4.8).
For patients with UC who are not at increased risk for VTE, MACE and malignancy (see section 4.4),tofacitinib 10 mg orally twice daily may be considered if the patient experiences a decrease inresponse on tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily and failed to respond to alternative treatment options forulcerative colitis such as tumour necrosis factor inhibitor (TNF inhibitor) treatment. Tofacitinib 10 mgtwice daily for maintenance treatment should be used for the shortest duration possible. The lowesteffective dose needed to maintain response should be used.
In patients who have responded to treatment with tofacitinib, corticosteroids may be reduced and/ordiscontinued in accordance with standard of care.
Retreatment in UC
If therapy is interrupted, restarting treatment with tofacitinib can be considered. If there has been a lossof response, reinduction with tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily may be considered. The treatmentinterruption period in clinical studies extended up to 1 year. Efficacy may be regained by 8 weeks of10 mg twice daily therapy (see section 5.1).
Polyarticular JIA and juvenile PsA (children between 2 and 18 years of age)
Tofacitinib may be used as monotherapy or in combination with MTX.
The recommended dose in patients 2 years of age and older is based upon the following weightcategories:
Table 2: Tofacitinib dose for patients with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis andjuvenile PsA two years of age and older
Body weight (kg) Dose regimen10 - < 20 3.2 mg (3.2 mL of oral solution) twice daily20 - < 40 4 mg (4 mL of oral solution) twice daily≥ 40 5 mg (5 mL of oral solution or 5 mg film-coated tablet) twice daily
Patients 40 kg treated with tofacitinib 5 mL oral solution twice daily may be switched to tofacitinib5 mg film-coated tablets twice daily. Patients < 40 kg cannot be switched from tofacitinib oralsolution.
Dose interruption and discontinuation in adults and paediatric patients
Tofacitinib treatment should be interrupted if a patient develops a serious infection until the infectionis controlled.
Interruption of dosing may be needed for management of dose-related laboratory abnormalitiesincluding lymphopenia, neutropenia, and anaemia. As described in Tables 3, 4 and 5 below,recommendations for temporary dose interruption or permanent discontinuation of treatment are madeaccording to the severity of laboratory abnormalities (see section 4.4).
It is recommended not to initiate dosing in patients with an absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) less than750 cells/mm3.
Table 3: Low absolute lymphocyte count
Low absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) (see section 4.4)
Laboratory value Recommendation(cells/mm3)
ALC greater than or equal Dose should be maintained.to 750
ALC 500-750 For persistent (2 sequential values in this range on routine testing)decrease in this range, dosing should be reduced or interrupted.
For patients receiving tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily, dosing should bereduced to tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily.
For patients receiving tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily, dosing should beinterrupted.
When ALC is greater than 750, treatment should be resumed asclinically appropriate.
ALC less than 500 If laboratory value confirmed by repeat testing within 7 days, dosingshould be discontinued.
It is recommended not to initiate dosing in adult patients with an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) lessthan 1,000 cells/mm3. It is recommended not to initiate dosing in paediatric patients with an absoluteneutrophil count (ANC) less than 1,200 cells/mm3.
Table 4: Low absolute neutrophil count
Low absolute neutrophil count (ANC) (see section 4.4)
Laboratory Value Recommendation(cells/mm3)
ANC greater than 1,000 Dose should be maintained.
ANC 500-1,000 For persistent (2 sequential values in this range on routine testing)decreases in this range, dosing should be reduced or interrupted.
For patients receiving tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily, dosing should bereduced to tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily.
For patients receiving tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily, dosing should beinterrupted.
When ANC is greater than 1,000, treatment should be resumed asclinically appropriate.
ANC less than 500 If laboratory value confirmed by repeat testing within 7 days, dosingshould be discontinued.
It is recommended not to initiate dosing in adult patients with haemoglobin less than 9 g/dL. It isrecommended not to initiate dosing in paediatric patients with haemoglobin less than 10 g/dL.
Table 5: Low haemoglobin value
Low haemoglobin value (see section 4.4)
Laboratory value Recommendation(g/dL)
Less than or equal to Dose should be maintained.2 g/dL decrease and greaterthan or equal to 9.0 g/dL
Greater than 2 g/dL Dosing should be interrupted until haemoglobin values havedecrease or less than normalised.8.0 g/dL(confirmed by repeattesting)
InteractionsTofacitinib total daily dose should be reduced by half in patients receiving potent inhibitors ofcytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 (e.g., ketoconazole) and in patients receiving 1 or more concomitantmedicinal products that result in both moderate inhibition of CYP3A4 as well as potent inhibition of
CYP2C19 (e.g., fluconazole) (see section 4.5) as follows:
- Tofacitinib dose should be reduced to 5 mg once daily in patients receiving 5 mg twicedaily (adult and paediatric patients).
- Tofacitinib dose should be reduced to 5 mg twice daily in patients receiving 10 mg twicedaily (adult patients).
Only in paediatric patients: available data suggest that clinical improvement is observed within 18weeks of initiation of treatment with tofacitinib. Continued therapy should be carefully reconsidered ina patient exhibiting no clinical improvement within this timeframe.
Dose discontinuation in AS
Available data suggest that clinical improvement in AS is observed within 16 weeks of initiation oftreatment with tofacitinib. Continued therapy should be carefully reconsidered in a patient exhibitingno clinical improvement within this timeframe.
Special populationsElderlyNo dose adjustment is required in patients 65 years of age and older. There are limited data in patientsaged 75 years and older. See section 4.4 for Use in patients 65 years of age and older.
Hepatic impairmentTable 6: Dose adjustment for hepatic impairment
Hepatic Classification Dose adjustment in hepatic impairment for differentimpairment strength tabletscategory
Mild Child Pugh A No dose adjustment required.
Moderate Child Pugh B Dose should be reduced to 5 mg once daily when theindicated dose in the presence of normal hepaticfunction is 5 mg twice daily.
Dose should be reduced to 5 mg twice daily when theindicated dose in the presence of normal hepaticfunction is 10 mg twice daily (see section 5.2).
Severe Child Pugh C Tofacitinib should not be used in patients with severehepatic impairment (see section 4.3).
Renal impairmentTable 7: Dose adjustment for renal impairment
Renal Creatinine Dose adjustment in renal impairment for differentimpairment clearance strength tabletscategory
Mild 50-80 mL/min No dose adjustment required.
Moderate 30-49 mL/min No dose adjustment required.
Severe (including < 30 mL/min Dose should be reduced to 5 mg once daily when thepatients indicated dose in the presence of normal renal functionundergoing is 5 mg twice daily.haemodialysis)
Dose should be reduced to 5 mg twice daily when theindicated dose in the presence of normal renal functionis 10 mg twice daily.
Patients with severe renal impairment should remain ona reduced dose even after haemodialysis (seesection 5.2).
Paediatric populationThe safety and efficacy of tofacitinib in children less than 2 years of age with polyarticular JIA andjuvenile PsA has not been established. No data are available.
The safety and efficacy of tofacitinib in children less than 18 years of age with other indications (e.g.,ulcerative colitis) has not been established. No data are available.
Method of administrationOral use.
Tofacitinib is given orally with or without food.
For patients who have difficulties swallowing, tofacitinib tablets may be crushed and taken withwater.
4.3 Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
- Active tuberculosis (TB), serious infections such as sepsis, or opportunistic infections (seesection 4.4).
- Severe hepatic impairment (see section 4.2).
- Pregnancy and lactation (see section 4.6).
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
Tofacitinib should only be used if no suitable treatment alternatives are available in patients:
- 65 years of age and older;
- patients with history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or other cardiovascular risk factors(such as current or past long-time smokers);
- patients with malignancy risk factors (e.g. current malignancy or history of malignancy)
Use in patients 65 years of age and older
Considering the increased risk of serious infections, myocardial infarction, malignancies and all causemortality with tofacitinib in patients 65 years of age and older, tofacitinib should only be used in thesepatients if no suitable treatment alternatives are available (see further details below in section 4.4 andsection 5.1).
Combination with other therapiesTofacitinib has not been studied and its use should be avoided in combination with biologics such as
TNF antagonists, interleukin (IL)-1R antagonists, IL-6R antagonists, anti-CD20 monoclonalantibodies, IL-17 antagonists, IL-12/IL-23 antagonists, anti-integrins, selective co-stimulationmodulators and potent immunosuppressants such as azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, ciclosporin andtacrolimus because of the possibility of increased immunosuppression and increased risk of infection.
There was a higher incidence of adverse events for the combination of tofacitinib with MTX versustofacitinib as monotherapy in RA clinical studies.
The use of tofacitinib in combination with phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors has not been studied intofacitinib clinical studies.
Venous thromboembolism (VTE)Serious VTE events including pulmonary embolism (PE), some of which were fatal, and deep veinthrombosis (DVT), have been observed in patients taking tofacitinib. In a randomisedpost-authorisation safety study in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who were 50 years of age or olderwith at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor, a dose dependent increased risk for VTE wasobserved with tofacitinib compared to TNF inhibitors (see sections 4.8 and 5.1).
In a post hoc exploratory analysis within this study, in patients with known VTE risk factors,occurrences of subsequent VTEs were observed more frequently in tofacitinib-treated patients that, at12 months treatment, had D-dimer level ≥2× ULN versus those with D-dimer level <2× ULN; this wasnot evident in TNF inhibitor-treated patients. Interpretation is limited by the low number of VTEevents and restricted D-dimer test availability (only assessed at Baseline, Month 12, and at the end ofthe study). In patients who did not have a VTE during the study, mean D-dimer levels weresignificantly reduced at Month 12 relative to Baseline across all treatment arms. However, D-dimerlevels ≥2× ULN at Month 12 were observed in approximately 30% of patients without subsequent
VTE events, indicating limited specificity of D-Dimer testing in this study.
Tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily for maintenance treatment is not recommended in patients with UC whohave known VTE, MACE and malignancy risk factors, unless there is no suitable alternative treatmentavailable (see section 4.2).
In patients with cardiovascular or malignancy risk factors (see also section 4.4 “Major adversecardiovascular events (including myocardial infarction)” and “Malignancies and lymphoproliferativedisorders”) tofacitinib should only be used if no suitable treatment alternatives are available.
In patients with VTE risk factors other than MACE or malignancy risk factors, tofacitinib should beused with caution. VTE risk factors other than MACE or malignancy risk factors include previous
VTE, patients undergoing major surgery, immobilisation, use of combined hormonal contraceptives orhormone replacement therapy, inherited coagulation disorder. Patients should be re-evaluatedperiodically during tofacitinib treatment to assess for changes in VTE risk.
For patients with RA with known risk factors for VTE, consider testing D-dimer levelsafter approximately 12 months of treatment. If D-dimer test result is ≥ 2× ULN, confirm that clinicalbenefits outweigh risks prior to a decision on treatment continuation with tofacitinib.
Promptly evaluate patients with signs and symptoms of VTE and discontinue tofacitinib in patientswith suspected VTE, regardless of dose or indication.
Retinal venous thrombosis
Retinal venous thrombosis (RVT) has been reported in patients treated with tofacitinib (see section4.8). The patients should be advised to promptly seek medical care in case they experience symptomssuggestive of RVT.
Serious infectionsSerious and sometimes fatal infections due to bacterial, mycobacterial, invasive fungal, viral, or otheropportunistic pathogens have been reported in patients receiving tofacitinib (see section 4.8). The riskof opportunistic infections is higher in Asian geographic regions (see section 4.8). Rheumatoidarthritis patients taking corticosteroids may be predisposed to infection.
Tofacitinib should not be initiated in patients with active infections, including localised infections.
The risks and benefits of treatment should be considered prior to initiating tofacitinib in patients:
- with recurrent infections,
- with a history of a serious or an opportunistic infection,
- who have resided or travelled in areas of endemic mycoses,
- who have underlying conditions that may predispose them to infection.
Patients should be closely monitored for the development of signs and symptoms of infection duringand after treatment with tofacitinib. Treatment should be interrupted if a patient develops a seriousinfection, an opportunistic infection, or sepsis. A patient who develops a new infection duringtreatment with tofacitinib should undergo prompt and complete diagnostic testing appropriate for animmunocompromised patient, appropriate antimicrobial therapy should be initiated, and the patientshould be closely monitored.
As there is a higher incidence of infections in the elderly and in the diabetic populations in general,caution should be used when treating the elderly and patients with diabetes (see section 4.8). Inpatients 65 years of age and older, tofacitinib should only be used if no suitable treatment alternativesare available (see section 5.1).
Risk of infection may be higher with increasing degrees of lymphopenia and consideration should begiven to lymphocyte counts when assessing individual patient risk of infection. Discontinuation andmonitoring criteria for lymphopenia are discussed in section 4.2.
TuberculosisThe risks and benefits of treatment should be considered prior to initiating tofacitinib in patients:
- who have been exposed to TB,
- who have resided or travelled in areas of endemic TB.
Patients should be evaluated and tested for latent or active infection prior to and per applicableguidelines during administration of tofacitinib.
Patients with latent TB, who test positive, should be treated with standard antimycobacterial therapybefore administering tofacitinib.
Antituberculosis therapy should also be considered prior to administration of tofacitinib in patientswho test negative for TB but who have a past history of latent or active TB and where an adequatecourse of treatment cannot be confirmed; or those who test negative but who have risk factors for TBinfection. Consultation with a healthcare professional with expertise in the treatment of TB isrecommended to aid in the decision about whether initiating antituberculosis therapy is appropriate foran individual patient. Patients should be closely monitored for the development of signs and symptomsof TB, including patients who tested negative for latent TB infection prior to initiating therapy.
Viral reactivationViral reactivation and cases of herpes virus reactivation (e.g., herpes zoster) have been observed inpatients receiving tofacitinib (see section 4.8).
In patients treated with tofacitinib, the incidence of herpes zoster appears to be increased in:
- Japanese or Korean patients.
- Patients with an ALC less than 1,000 cells/mm3 (see section 4.2).
- Patients with long standing RA who have previously received two or more biologicaldisease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
- Patients treated with 10 mg twice daily.
The impact of tofacitinib on chronic viral hepatitis reactivation is unknown. Patients screened positivefor hepatitis B or C were excluded from clinical studies. Screening for viral hepatitis should beperformed in accordance with clinical guidelines before starting therapy with tofacitinib.
At least one confirmed case of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) has been reportedin RA patients receiving tofacitinib in the post marketing setting. PML can be fatal and should beconsidered in the differential diagnosis in immunosuppressed patients with new onset or worseningneurological symptoms.
Major adverse cardiovascular events (including myocardial infarction)Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) have been observed in patients taking tofacitinib.
In a randomised post authorisation safety study in patients with RA who were 50 years of age or olderwith at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor, an increased incidence of myocardial infarctionswas observed with tofacitinib compared to TNF inhibitors (see sections 4.8 and 5.1). In patients65 years of age and older, patients who are current or past long-time smokers, and patients withhistory of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or other cardiovascular risk factors, tofacitinib shouldonly be used if no suitable treatment alternatives are available (see section 5.1).
Malignancies and lymphoproliferative disorder
Tofacitinib may affect host defences against malignancies.
In a randomised post authorisation safety study in patients with RA who were 50 years of age or olderwith at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor, an increased incidence of malignancies,particularly NMSC, lung cancer and lymphoma, was observed with tofacitinib compared to TNFinhibitors (see sections 4.8 and 5.1).
NMSC lung cancers and lymphoma in patients treated with tofacitinib have also been observed inother clinical studies and in the post-marketing setting.
Other malignancies in patients treated with tofacitinib were observed in clinical studies and thepost-marketing setting, including, but not limited to, breast cancer, melanoma, prostate cancer, andpancreatic cancer.
In patients 65 years of age and older, patients who are current or past long-time smokers, and patientswith other malignancy risk factors (e.g. current malignancy or history of malignancy other than asuccessfully treated non-melanoma skin cancer) tofacitinib should only be used if no suitabletreatment alternatives are available (see section 5.1). Periodic skin examination is recommended for allpatients, particularly those who are at increased risk for skin cancer (see Table 8 in section 4.8).
Interstitial lung diseaseCaution is also recommended in patients with a history of chronic lung disease as they may be moreprone to infections. Events of interstitial lung disease (some of which had a fatal outcome) have beenreported in patients treated with tofacitinib in RA clinical studies and in the post-marketing settingalthough the role of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibition in these events is not known. Asian RA patients areknown to be at higher risk of interstitial lung disease, thus caution should be exercised in treating thesepatients.
Gastrointestinal perforationsEvents of gastrointestinal perforation have been reported in clinical studies although the role of JAKinhibition in these events is not known. Tofacitinib should be used with caution in patients who maybe at increased risk for gastrointestinal perforation (e.g., patients with a history of diverticulitis,patients with concomitant use of corticosteroids and/or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Patientspresenting with new onset abdominal signs and symptoms should be evaluated promptly for earlyidentification of gastrointestinal perforation.
Fractures
Fractures have been observed in patients treated with tofacitinib.
Tofacitinib should be used with caution in patients with known risk factors for fractures such aselderly patients, female patients and patients with corticosteroid use, regardless of indication anddosage.
Liver enzymesTreatment with tofacitinib was associated with an increased incidence of liver enzyme elevation insome patients (see section 4.8 liver enzyme tests). Caution should be exercised when consideringinitiation of tofacitinib treatment in patients with elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartateaminotransferase (AST), particularly when initiated in combination with potentially hepatotoxicmedicinal products such as MTX. Following initiation, routine monitoring of liver tests and promptinvestigation of the causes of any observed liver enzyme elevations are recommended to identifypotential cases of drug-induced liver injury. If drug-induced liver injury is suspected, theadministration of tofacitinib should be interrupted until this diagnosis has been excluded.
HypersensitivityIn post-marketing experience, cases of hypersensitivity associated with tofacitinib administration havebeen reported. Allergic reactions included angioedema and urticaria; serious reactions have occurred.
If any serious allergic or anaphylactic reaction occurs, tofacitinib should be discontinued immediately.
Laboratory parametersLymphocytesTreatment with tofacitinib was associated with an increased incidence of lymphopenia compared toplacebo. Lymphocyte counts less than 750 cells/mm3 were associated with an increased incidence ofserious infections. It is not recommended to initiate or continue tofacitinib treatment in patients with aconfirmed lymphocyte count less than 750 cells/mm3. Lymphocytes should be monitored at baselineand every 3 months thereafter. For recommended modifications based on lymphocyte counts, seesection 4.2.
NeutrophilsTreatment with tofacitinib was associated with an increased incidence of neutropenia (less than2,000 cells/mm3) compared to placebo. It is not recommended to initiate tofacitinib treatment in adultpatients with an ANC less than 1,000 cells/mm3 and in paediatric patients with an ANC less than1,200 cells/mm3. ANC should be monitored at baseline and after 4 to 8 weeks of treatment and every3 months thereafter. For recommended modifications based on ANC, see section 4.2.
HaemoglobinTreatment with tofacitinib has been associated with decreases in haemoglobin levels. It is notrecommended to initiate tofacitinib treatment in adult patients with a haemoglobin value less than9 g/dL and in paediatric patients with a haemoglobin value less than 10 g/dL. Haemoglobin should bemonitored at baseline and after 4 to 8 weeks of treatment and every 3 months thereafter. Forrecommended modifications based on haemoglobin level, see section 4.2.
Lipid monitoringTreatment with tofacitinib was associated with increases in lipid parameters such as total cholesterol,low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Maximumeffects were generally observed within 6 weeks. Assessment of lipid parameters should be performedafter 8 weeks following initiation of tofacitinib therapy. Patients should be managed according toclinical guidelines for the management of hyperlipidaemia. Increases in total and LDL cholesterolassociated with tofacitinib may be decreased to pretreatment levels with statin therapy.
Hypoglycaemia in patients treated for diabetes
There have been reports of hypoglycaemia following initiation of tofacitinib in patients receivingmedication for diabetes. Dose adjustment of anti-diabetic medication may be necessary in the eventthat hypoglycaemia occurs.
VaccinationsPrior to initiating tofacitinib, it is recommended that all patients, particularly pJIA and jPsA patients,be brought up to date with all immunisations in agreement with current immunisation guidelines. It isrecommended that live vaccines not be given concurrently with tofacitinib. The decision to use livevaccines prior to tofacitinib treatment should take into account the pre-existing immunosuppression ina given patient.
Prophylactic zoster vaccination should be considered in accordance with vaccination guidelines.
Particular consideration should be given to patients with longstanding RA who have previouslyreceived two or more biological DMARDs. If live zoster vaccine is administered; it should only beadministered to patients with a known history of chickenpox or those that are seropositive for varicellazoster virus (VZV). If the history of chickenpox is considered doubtful or unreliable it isrecommended to test for antibodies against VZV.
Vaccination with live vaccines should occur at least 2 weeks but preferably 4 weeks prior to initiationof tofacitinib or in accordance with current vaccination guidelines regarding immunomodulatorymedicinal products. No data are available on the secondary transmission of infection by live vaccinesto patients receiving tofacitinib.
Excipients contentsThis medicinal product contains lactose. Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactoseintolerance, total lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicinalproduct.
This medicinal product contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially‘sodium-free’.
4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
Potential for other medicinal products to influence the pharmacokinetics (PK) of tofacitinibSince tofacitinib is metabolised by CYP3A4, interaction with medicinal products that inhibit or induce
CYP3A4 is likely. Tofacitinib exposure is increased when coadministered with potent inhibitors of
CYP3A4 (e.g., ketoconazole) or when administration of one or more concomitant medicinal productsresults in both moderate inhibition of CYP3A4 and potent inhibition of CYP2C19 (e.g., fluconazole)(see section 4.2).
Tofacitinib exposure is decreased when coadministered with potent CYP inducers (e.g., rifampicin).
Inhibitors of CYP2C19 alone or P-glycoprotein are unlikely to significantly alter the PK of tofacitinib.
Coadministration with ketoconazole (strong CYP3A4 inhibitor), fluconazole (moderate CYP3A4 andpotent CYP2C19 inhibitor), tacrolimus (mild CYP3A4 inhibitor) and ciclosporin (moderate CYP3A4inhibitor) increased tofacitinib AUC, while rifampicin (potent CYP inducer) decreased tofacitinib
AUC. Coadministration of tofacitinib with potent CYP inducers (e.g., rifampicin) may result in a lossof or reduced clinical response (see Figure 1). Coadministration of potent inducers of CYP3A4 withtofacitinib is not recommended. Coadministration with ketoconazole and fluconazole increasedtofacitinib Cmax, while tacrolimus, ciclosporin and rifampicin decreased tofacitinib Cmax. Concomitantadministration with MTX 15-25 mg once weekly had no effect on the PK of tofacitinib in RA patients(see Figure 1).
Figure 1. Impact of other medicinal products on PK of tofacitinib
Coadministered PK Ratio and 90% CI Recommendation
Medicinal Product
CYP3A Inhibitor
Ketoconazole AUC Tofacitinib dose should be reduced a
Cmax
CYP3A & CYP2C19 Inhibitor
Fluconazole AUC Tofacitinib dose should be reduced a
Cmax
CYP Inducer
Rifampicin AUC Efficacy may be decreased
Cmax
Methotrexate AUC No dose adjustment
Cmax
Tacrolimus AUC Combined use of tofacitinib with
Cmax tacrolimus should be avoided
Ciclosporin AUC Combined use of tofacitinib with
Cmax ciclosporin should be avoided0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
Ratio relative to reference
Note: Reference group is administration of tofacitinib alone.a Tofacitinib dose should be reduced to 5 mg twice daily in patients receiving 10 mg twice daily. Tofacitinib dose should bereduced to 5 mg once daily in patients receiving 5 mg twice daily (see section 4.2).
Potential for tofacitinib to influence the PK of other medicinal productsCoadministration of tofacitinib did not have an effect on the PK of oral contraceptives, levonorgestreland ethinyl estradiol, in healthy female volunteers.
In RA patients, coadministration of tofacitinib with MTX 15-25 mg once weekly decreased the AUCand Cmax of MTX by 10% and 13%, respectively. The extent of decrease in MTX exposure does notwarrant modifications to the individualised dosing of MTX.
Paediatric populationInteraction studies have only been performed in adults.
4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
PregnancyThere are no adequate and well-controlled studies on the use of tofacitinib in pregnant women.
Tofacitinib has been shown to be teratogenic in rats and rabbits, and to affect parturition andperi/postnatal development (see section 5.3).
As a precautionary measure, the use of tofacitinib during pregnancy is contraindicated (seesection 4.3).
Women of childbearing potential/contraception in femalesWomen of childbearing potential should be advised to use effective contraception during treatmentwith tofacitinib and for at least 4 weeks after the last dose.
Breast-feedingBased on published data, tofacitinib is excreted in human milk. The effects of tofacitinib on thebreast-fed infant from published literature and post-marketing data is unknown and is limited to asmall number of cases with no causally related adverse events. A risk to the breast-fed child cannot beexcluded. As a precautionary measure, the use of tofacitinib during breast-feeding is contraindicated(see section 4.3).
FertilityFormal studies of the potential effect on human fertility have not been conducted. Tofacitinib impairedfemale fertility but not male fertility in rats (see section 5.3).
4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Tofacitinib has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.
4.8 Undesirable effects
Summary of the safety profileRheumatoid arthritisThe most common serious adverse reactions were serious infections (see section 4.4). In the long-termsafety all exposure population, the most common serious infections reported with tofacitinib werepneumonia (1.7%), herpes zoster (0.6%), urinary tract infection (0.4%), cellulitis (0.4%), diverticulitis(0.3%), and appendicitis (0.2%). Among opportunistic infections, TB and other mycobacterialinfections, cryptococcus, histoplasmosis, oesophageal candidiasis, multidermatomal herpes zoster,cytomegalovirus infection, BK virus infections and listeriosis were reported with tofacitinib. Somepatients have presented with disseminated rather than localised disease. Other serious infections thatwere not reported in clinical studies may also occur (e.g., coccidioidomycosis).
The most commonly reported adverse reactions during the first 3 months of the double-blind, placeboor MTX controlled clinical studies were headache (3.9%), upper respiratory tract infections (3.8%),viral upper respiratory tract infection (3.3%), diarrhoea (2.9%), nausea (2.7%), and hypertension(2.2%).
The proportion of patients who discontinued treatment due to adverse reactions during first 3 monthsof the double-blind, placebo or MTX controlled studies was 3.8% for patients taking tofacitinib. Themost common infections resulting in discontinuation of therapy during the first 3 months in controlledclinical studies were herpes zoster (0.19%) and pneumonia (0.15%).
Psoriatic arthritisOverall, the safety profile observed in patients with active PsA treated with tofacitinib was consistentwith the safety profile observed in patients with RA treated with tofacitinib.
Ankylosing spondylitisOverall, the safety profile observed in patients with active AS treated with tofacitinib was consistentwith the safety profile observed in patients with RA treated with tofacitinib.
Ulcerative colitisThe most commonly reported adverse reactions in patients receiving tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily inthe induction studies were headache, nasopharyngitis, nausea, and arthralgia.
In the induction and maintenance studies, across tofacitinib and placebo treatment groups, the mostcommon categories of serious adverse reactions were gastrointestinal disorders and infections, and themost common serious adverse reaction was worsening of UC.
Overall, the safety profile observed in patients with UC treated with tofacitinib was consistent with thesafety profile of tofacitinib in the RA indication.
Tabulated list of adverse reactionsThe adverse reactions listed in the table below are from clinical studies in patients with RA, PsA, AS,and UC and are presented by System Organ Class (SOC) and frequency categories, defined using thefollowing convention: very common (≥ 1/10), common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10), uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to< 1/100), rare (≥ 1/10,000 to < 1/1,000), very rare (< 1/10,000), or not known (cannot be estimatedfrom the available data). Within each frequency grouping, adverse reactions are presented in the orderof decreasing seriousness.
Table 8: Adverse reactions
System organ Common Uncommon Rare Very rare Not knownclass ≥1/100 to <1/10 ≥1/1,000 to ≥1/10,000 to <1/10,000 (cannot be<1/100 <1/1,000 estimated fromthe availabledata)
Infections and Pneumonia Tuberculosis Sepsis Tuberculosisinfestations Influenza Diverticulitis Urosepsis of central
Herpes zoster Pyelonephritis Disseminated nervous
Urinary tract Cellulitis TB systeminfection Herpes simplex Bacteraemia Meningitis
Sinusitis Gastroenteritis viral Pneumocystis cryptococcal
Bronchitis Viral infection jirovecii Necrotizing
Nasopharyngitis pneumonia fasciitis
Pharyngitis Pneumonia Encephalitispneumococcal Staphylococc
Pneumonia albacterial bacteraemia
Cytomegalovir Mycobacteriuus infection m avium
Arthritis complexbacterial infection
Atypicalmycobacterial infection
Neoplasms Lung cancer Lymphomabenign, Non-melanoma skinmalignant and cancersunspecified (inclcysts and polyps)
Blood and Lymphopenia Leukopenialymphatic system Anaemia Neutropeniadisorders
Immune system Hypersensitivitydisorders *
Angioedema*
Urticaria*
Metabolism and Dyslipidaemianutrition Hyperlipidaemiadisorders Dehydration
Psychiatric Insomniadisorders
Nervous system Headache Paraesthesiadisorders
Cardiac disorders Myocardialinfarction
Vascular Hypertension Venousdisorders thromboembolism**
Respiratory, Cough Dyspnoeathoracic and Sinus congestionmediastinaldisorders
System organ Common Uncommon Rare Very rare Not knownclass ≥1/100 to <1/10 ≥1/1,000 to ≥1/10,000 to <1/10,000 (cannot be<1/100 <1/1,000 estimated fromthe availabledata)
Gastrointestinal Abdominal paindisorders Vomiting
DiarrhoeaNausea
Gastritis
Dyspepsia
Hepatobiliary Hepatic steatosis Liver functiondisorders Hepatic enzyme test abnormalincreased
Transaminasesincreased
Gamma glutamyl-transferase increased
Skin and Rash Erythemasubcutaneous Acne Pruritustissue disorders
Musculoskeletal Arthralgia Joint swelling Musculoskeletand connective Tendonitis al paintissue disorders
General disorders Oedema Pyrexiaand peripheral Fatigueadministrationsite conditions
Investigations Blood creatine Blood creatininephosphokinase increasedincreased Blood cholesterolincreased
Low densitylipoprotein increased
Weight increased
Injury, poisoning Ligament sprainand procedural Muscle straincomplications
*Spontaneous reporting data
**Venous thromboembolism includes PE, DVT, and Retinal Venous Thrombosis
Description of selected adverse reactionsVenous thromboembolismRheumatoid arthritisIn a large (N=4,362), randomised post-authorisation safety study of rheumatoid arthritis patients whowere 50 years of age and older and had at least one additional cardiovascular (CV) risk factor, VTEwas observed at an increased and dose-dependent incidence in patients treated with tofacitinibcompared to TNF inhibitors (see section 5.1). The majority of these events were serious and someresulted in death. The incidence rates (95% CI) for PE for tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily, tofacitinib10 mg twice daily, and TNF inhibitors were 0.17 (0.08-0.33), 0.50 (0.32-0.74), and 0.06 (0.01-0.17)patients with events per 100 patient-years, respectively. Compared with TNF inhibitors, the hazardratio (HR) for PE was 2.93 (0.79-10.83) and 8.26 (2.49, 27.43) for tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily andtofacitinib 10 mg twice daily, respectively (see section 5.1). In tofacitinib-treated patients where PEwas observed, the majority (97%) had VTE risk factors.
Ankylosing spondylitisIn the combined Phase 2 and Phase 3 randomised controlled clinical studies, there were no VTEevents in 420 patients (233 patient-years of observation) receiving tofacitinib up to 48 weeks.
Ulcerative colitis (UC)
In the UC ongoing extension trial, cases of PE and DVT have been observed in patients usingtofacitinib 10 mg twice daily and with underlying VTE risk factor(s).
Overall infectionsRheumatoid arthritisIn controlled phase 3 clinical studies, the rates of infections over 0-3 months in the 5 mg twice daily(total 616 patients) and 10 mg twice daily (total 642 patients) tofacitinib monotherapy groups were16.2% (100 patients) and 17.9% (115 patients), respectively, compared to 18.9% (23 patients) in theplacebo group (total 122 patients). In controlled phase 3 clinical studies with background DMARDs,the rates of infections over 0-3 months in the 5 mg twice daily (total 973 patients) and 10 mg twicedaily (total 969 patients) tofacitinib plus DMARD group were 21.3% (207 patients) and21.8% (211 patients), respectively, compared to 18.4% (103 patients) in the placebo plus DMARDgroup (total 559 patients).
The most commonly reported infections were upper respiratory tract infections and nasopharyngitis(3.7% and 3.2%, respectively).
The overall incidence rate of infections with tofacitinib in the long-term safety all exposure population(total 4,867 patients) was 46.1 patients with events per 100 patient-years (43.8 and 47.2 patients withevents for 5 mg and 10 mg twice daily, respectively). For patients (total 1,750) on monotherapy, therates were 48.9 and 41.9 patients with events per 100 patient-years for 5 mg and 10 mg twice daily,respectively. For patients (total 3,117) on background DMARDs, the rates were 41.0 and 50.3 patientswith events per 100 patient-years for 5 mg and 10 mg twice daily, respectively.
Ankylosing spondylitisIn the combined Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical studies, during the placebo-controlled period of up to16 weeks, the frequency of infections in the tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily group (185 patients) was27.6% and the frequency in the placebo group (187 patients) was 23.0%. In the combined Phase 2 and
Phase 3 clinical studies, among the 316 patients treated with tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily for up to48 weeks, the frequency of infections was 35.1%.
Ulcerative colitisIn the randomised 8-week Phase 2/3 induction studies, the proportions of patients with infections were21.1% (198 patients) in the tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily group compared to 15.2% (43 patients) in theplacebo group. In the randomised 52-week phase 3 maintenance study, the proportion of patients withinfections were 35.9% (71 patients) in the 5 mg twice daily and 39.8% (78 patients) in the 10 mg twicedaily tofacitinib groups, compared to 24.2% (48 patients) in the placebo group.
In the entire treatment experience with tofacitinib, the most commonly reported infection wasnasopharyngitis, occurring in 18.2% of patients (211 patients).
In the entire treatment experience with tofacitinib, the overall incidence rate of infections was60.3 events per 100 patient-years (involving 49.4% of patients; total 572 patients).
Serious infectionsRheumatoid arthritisIn the 6-month and 24-month, controlled clinical studies, the rate of serious infections in the 5 mgtwice daily tofacitinib monotherapy group was 1.7 patients with events per 100 patient-years. In the10 mg twice daily tofacitinib monotherapy group the rate was 1.6 patients with events per100 patient-years, the rate was 0 events per 100 patient-years for the placebo group, and the rate was1.9 patients with events per 100 patient-years for the MTX group.
In studies of 6-, 12-, or 24-month duration, the rates of serious infections in the 5 mg twice daily and10 mg twice daily tofacitinib plus DMARD groups were 3.6 and 3.4 patients with events per100 patient-years, respectively, compared to 1.7 patients with events per 100 patient-years in theplacebo plus DMARD group.
In the long-term safety all exposure population, the overall rates of serious infections were 2.4 and3.0 patients with events per 100 patient-years for 5 mg and 10 mg twice daily tofacitinib groups,respectively. The most common serious infections included pneumonia, herpes zoster, urinary tractinfection, cellulitis, gastroenteritis and diverticulitis. Cases of opportunistic infections have beenreported (see section 4.4).
In a large (N=4,362) randomised post-authorisation safety study in patients with RA who were50 years or older with at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor, a dose-dependent increase inserious infections was observed with tofacitinib compared to TNF inhibitors (see section 4.4).
The incidence rates (95% CI) for serious infections for tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily, tofacitinib 10 mgtwice daily, and TNF inhibitors were 2.86 (2.41, 3.37), 3.64 (3.11, 4.23), and 2.44 (2.02, 2.92) patientswith events per 100 patient-years, respectively. Compared with TNF inhibitors, the hazard ratio (HR)for serious infections was 1.17 (0.92, 1.50) and 1.48 (1.17, 1.87) for tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily andtofacitinib 5 mg twice daily, respectively.
Ankylosing spondylitisIn the combined Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical studies, among the 316 patients treated with tofacitinib5 mg twice daily for up to 48 weeks, there was one serious infection (aseptic meningitis) yielding arate of 0.43 patients with events per 100 patient-years.
Ulcerative colitisThe incidence rates and types of serious infections in the UC clinical studies were generally similar tothose reported in RA clinical studies with tofacitinib monotherapy treatment groups.
Serious infections in the elderly
Of the 4,271 patients who enrolled in RA studies I-VI (see section 5.1), a total of 608 RA patientswere 65 years of age and older, including 85 patients 75 years and older. The frequency of seriousinfection among tofacitinib-treated patients 65 years of age and older was higher than those under theage of 65 (4.8 per 100 patient-years versus 2.4 per 100 patient-years, respectively).
In a large (N=4,362) randomised post-authorisation safety study in patients with RA who were50 years or older with at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor, an increase in seriousinfections was observed in patients 65 years of age and older for tofacitinib 10 mg twice dailycompared to TNF inhibitors and to tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily (see section 4.4). The incidence rates(95% CI) for serious infections in patients ≥65 years were 4.03 (3.02, pct. 5.27), 5.85 (4.64, 7.30), and 3.73(2.81, pct. 4.85) patients with events per 100 patient-years for tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily, tofacitinib 10mg twice daily, and TNF inhibitors, respectively.
Compared with TNF inhibitors, the hazard ratio (HR) for serious infections in patients ≥65 years ofage was 1.08 (0.74, 1.58) and 1.55 (1.10, 2.19) for tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily and tofacitinib 10 mgtwice daily, respectively.
Serious infections from non-interventional post approval safety study
Data from a non-interventional post approval safety study that evaluated tofacitinib in RA patientsfrom a registry (US Corrona) showed that a numerically higher incidence rate of serious infection wasobserved for the 11 mg prolonged-release tablet administered once daily than the 5 mg film-coatedtablet administered twice daily. Crude incidence rates (95% CI) (i.e., not adjusted for age or sex) fromavailability of each formulation at 12 months following initiation of treatment were 3.45 (1.93, 5.69)and 2.78 (1.74, 4.21) and at 36 months were 4.71 (3.08, 6.91) and 2.79 (2.01, 3.77) patients withevents per 100 patient-years in the 11 mg prolonged-release tablet once daily and 5 mg film-coatedtablet twice daily groups, respectively. The unadjusted hazard ratio was 1.30 (95% CI: 0.67, 2.50) at12 months and 1.93 (95% CI: 1.15, 3.24) at 36 months for the 11 mg prolonged-release once dailydose compared to the 5 mg film-coated twice daily dose. Data is based on a small number of patientswith events observed with relatively large confidence intervals and limited follow up time.
Viral reactivationPatients treated with tofacitinib who are Japanese or Korean, or patients with long standing RA whohave previously received two or more biological DMARDs, or patients with an ALC lessthan 1,000 cells/mm3, or patients treated with 10 mg twice daily may have an increased risk of herpeszoster (see section 4.4).
In a large (N=4,362) randomised post-authorisation safety study in patients with RA who were50 years or older with at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor, an increase in herpes zosterevents was observed in patients treated with tofacitinib compared to TNF inhibitors. The incidencerates (95% CI) for herpes zoster for tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily, tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily, and
TNF inhibitors were 3.75 (3.22, pct. 4.34), 3.94 (3.38, 4.57), and 1.18 (0.90, 1.52) patients with events per100 patient-years, respectively.
Laboratory testsLymphocytesIn the controlled RA clinical studies, confirmed decreases in ALC below 500 cells/mm3 occurred in0.3% of patients and for ALC between 500 and 750 cells/mm3 in 1.9% of patients for the 5 mg twicedaily and 10 mg twice daily doses combined.
In the RA long-term safety population, confirmed decreases in ALC below 500 cells/mm3 occurred in1.3% of patients and for ALC between 500 and 750 cells/mm3 in 8.4% of patients for the 5 mg twicedaily and 10 mg twice daily doses combined.
Confirmed ALC less than 750 cells/mm3 were associated with an increased incidence of seriousinfections (see section 4.4).
In the clinical studies in UC, changes in ALC observed with tofacitinib treatment were similar to thechanges observed in clinical studies in RA.
NeutrophilsIn the controlled RA clinical studies, confirmed decreases in ANC below 1,000 cells/mm3 occurred in0.08% of patients for the 5 mg twice daily and 10 mg twice daily doses combined. There were noconfirmed decreases in ANC below 500 cells/mm3 observed in any treatment group. There was noclear relationship between neutropenia and the occurrence of serious infections.
In the RA long-term safety population, the pattern and incidence of confirmed decreases in ANCremained consistent with what was seen in the controlled clinical studies (see section 4.4).
In the clinical studies in UC, changes in ANC observed with tofacitinib treatment were similar to thechanges observed in clinical studies in RA.
Platelets
Patients in the Phase 3 controlled clinical studies (RA, PsA, AS, UC) were required to have a plateletcount ≥ 100,000 cells/mm3 to be eligible for enrolment, therefore, there is no information available forpatients with a platelet count < 100,000 cells/mm3 before starting treatment with tofacitinib.
Liver enzyme testsConfirmed increases in liver enzymes greater than 3 times the upper limit of normal (3x ULN) wereuncommonly observed in RA patients. In those patients experiencing liver enzyme elevation,modification of treatment regimen, such as reduction in the dose of concomitant DMARD,interruption of tofacitinib, or reduction in tofacitinib dose, resulted in decrease or normalisation ofliver enzymes.
In the controlled portion of the RA phase 3 monotherapy study (0-3 months) (study I, see section 5.1),
ALT elevations greater than 3x ULN were observed in 1.65%, 0.41%, and 0% of patients receivingplacebo, tofacitinib 5 mg and 10 mg twice daily, respectively. In this study, AST elevations greaterthan 3x ULN were observed in 1.65%, 0.41% and 0% of patients receiving placebo, tofacitinib 5 mgand 10 mg twice daily, respectively.
In the RA phase 3 monotherapy study (0-24 months) (study VI, see section 5.1), ALT elevationsgreater than 3x ULN were observed in 7.1%, 3.0%, and 3.0% of patients receiving MTX, tofacitinib5 mg and 10 mg twice daily, respectively. In this study, AST elevations greater than 3x ULN wereobserved in 3.3%, 1.6% and 1.5% of patients receiving MTX, tofacitinib 5 mg and 10 mg twice daily,respectively.
In the controlled portion of the RA phase 3 studies on background DMARDs (0-3 months)(studies II-V, see section 5.1), ALT elevations greater than 3x ULN were observed in 0.9%, 1.24%and 1.14% of patients receiving placebo, tofacitinib 5 mg and 10 mg twice daily, respectively. In thesestudies, AST elevations greater than 3x ULN were observed in 0.72%, 0.5% and 0.31% of patientsreceiving placebo, tofacitinib 5 mg and 10 mg twice daily, respectively.
In the RA long-term extension studies, on monotherapy, ALT elevations greater than 3x ULN wereobserved in 1.1% and 1.4% of patients receiving tofacitinib 5 mg and 10 mg twice daily, respectively.
AST elevations greater than 3x ULN were observed in < 1.0% in both the tofacitinib 5 mg and 10 mgtwice daily groups.
In the RA long-term extension studies, on background DMARDs, ALT elevations greater than3x ULN were observed in 1.8% and 1.6% of patients receiving tofacitinib 5 mg and 10 mg twice daily,respectively. AST elevations greater than 3x ULN were observed in < 1.0% in both the tofacitinib5 mg and 10 mg twice daily groups.
In a large (N=4,362) randomised post-authorisation safety study in patients with RA who were50 years or older with at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor, ALT elevations greater than orequal to 3x ULN were observed in 6.01%, 6.54% and 3.77% of patients receiving tofacitinib 5 mgtwice daily, tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily, and TNF inhibitors respectively. AST elevations greaterthan or equal to 3x ULN were observed in 3.21%, 4.57% and 2.38% of patients receiving tofacitinib5 mg twice daily, tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily, and TNF inhibitors respectively.
In the clinical studies in UC, changes in liver enzyme tests observed with tofacitinib treatment weresimilar to the changes observed in clinical studies in RA.
LipidsElevations in lipid parameters (total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides)were first assessed at 1 month following initiation of tofacitinib in the controlled double-blind clinicalstudies of RA. Increases were observed at this time point and remained stable thereafter.
Changes in lipid parameters from baseline through the end of the study (6-24 months) in the controlledclinical studies in RA are summarised below:
- Mean LDL cholesterol increased by 15% in the tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily arm and 20%in the tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily arm at month 12, and increased by 16% in thetofacitinib 5 mg twice daily arm and 19% in the tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily arm atmonth 24.
- Mean HDL cholesterol increased by 17% in the tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily arm and 18%in the tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily arm at month 12, and increased by 19% in thetofacitinib 5 mg twice daily arm and 20% in the tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily arm atmonth 24.
Upon withdrawal of tofacitinib treatment, lipid levels returned to baseline.
Mean LDL cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratios and Apolipoprotein B (ApoB)/ApoA1 ratios wereessentially unchanged in tofacitinib-treated patients.
In an RA controlled clinical study, elevations in LDL cholesterol and ApoB decreased to pretreatmentlevels in response to statin therapy.
In the RA long-term safety populations, elevations in the lipid parameters remained consistent withwhat was seen in the controlled clinical studies.
In a large (N=4,362) randomised post-authorisation safety study in patients with RA who were50 years or older with at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor, changes in lipid parametersfrom baseline through 24 months are summarised below:
- Mean LDL cholesterol increased by 13.80%, 17.04%, and 5.50% in patients receiving tofacitinib5 mg twice daily, tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily, and TNF inhibitor, respectively, at month 12. Atmonth 24, the increase was 12.71%, 18.14%, and 3.64%, respectively,
- Mean HDL cholesterol increased by 11.71%, 13.63%, and 2.82% in patients receiving tofacitinib5 mg twice daily, tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily, and TNF inhibitor, respectively, at month 12. Atmonth 24, the increase was 11.58%, 13.54%, and 1.42%, respectively.
In the clinical studies in UC, changes in lipids observed with tofacitinib treatment were similar to thechanges observed in clinical studies in RA.
Myocardial infarctionRheumatoid arthritisIn a large (N=4,362) randomised post-authorisation safety study in patients with RA who were50 years of age or older with at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor, the incidence rates(95% CI) for non-fatal myocardial infarction for tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily, tofacitinib 10 mg twicedaily, and TNF inhibitors were 0.37 (0.22, 0.57), 0.33 (0.19, 0.53), and 0.16 (0.07, 0.31) patients withevents per 100 patient-years, respectively. Few fatal myocardial infarctions were reported with ratessimilar in patients treated with tofacitinib compared to TNF inhibitors (see sections 4.4 and 5.1). Thestudy required at least 1500 patients to be followed for 3 years.
Malignancies excluding NMSCRheumatoid arthritisIn a large (N=4,362) randomised post-authorisation safety study in patients with RA who were50 years of age or older with at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor, the incidence rates(95% CI) for lung cancer for tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily, tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily, and TNFinhibitors were 0.23 (0.12, 0.40), 0.32 (0.18, 0.51), and 0.13 (0.05, 0.26) patients with events per100 patient-years, respectively (see sections 4.4 and 5.1). The study required at least 1500 patients tobe followed for 3 years.
The incidence rates (95% CI) for lymphoma for tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily, tofacitinib 10 mg twicedaily, and TNF inhibitors were 0.07 (0.02, 0.18), 0.11 (0.04, 0.24), and 0.02 (0.00, 0.10) patients withevents per 100 patient-years, respectively (see sections 4.4 and 5.1).
Paediatric populationPolyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis and juvenile PsAThe adverse reactions in JIA patients in the clinical development program were consistent in type andfrequency with those seen in adult RA patients, with the exception of some infections (influenza,pharyngitis, sinusitis, viral infection) and gastrointestinal or general disorders (abdominal pain,nausea, vomiting, pyrexia, headache, cough), which were more common in JIA paediatric population.
MTX was the most frequent concomitant csDMARD used (on Day 1, 156 of 157 patients oncsDMARDs took MTX). There are insufficient data regarding the safety profile of tofacitinib usedconcomitantly with any other csDMARDs.
InfectionsIn the double-blind portion of the pivotal Phase 3 trial (Study JIA-I), infection was the mostcommonly reported adverse reaction (44.3%). The infections were generally mild to moderate inseverity.
In the integrated safety population, 7 patients had serious infections during treatment with tofacitinibwithin the reporting period (up to 28 days after the last dose of study medication), representing anincidence rate of 1.92 patients with events per 100 patient-years: pneumonia, epidural empyema (withsinusitis and subperiosteal abscess), pilonidal cyst, appendicitis, escherichia pyelonephritis, abscesslimb, and UTI.
In the integrated safety population, 3 patients had non-serious events of herpes zoster within thereporting window representing an incidence rate of 0.82 patients with events per 100 patient-years.
One (1) additional patient had an event of serious HZ outside the reporting window.
Hepatic eventsPatients in the JIA pivotal study were required to have AST and ALT levels less than 1.5 times theupper limit of normal to be eligible for enrolment. In the integrated safety population, there were2 patients with ALT elevations ≥ 3 times the ULN at 2 consecutive visits. Neither event met Hy’s Lawcriteria. Both patients were on background MTX therapy and each event resolved after discontinuationof MTX and permanent discontinuation of tofacitinib.
Laboratory testsChanges in laboratory tests in JIA patients in the clinical development program were consistent withthose seen in adult RA patients. Patients in the JIA pivotal study were required to have a platelet count≥ 100,000 cells/mm3 to be eligible for enrolment, therefore, there is no information available for JIApatients with a platelet count <100,000 cells/mm3 before starting treatment with tofacitinib.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactionsReporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. Itallows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcareprofessionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the national reporting systemlisted in Appendix V.
4.9 Overdose
In case of an overdose, it is recommended that the patient be monitored for signs and symptoms ofadverse reactions. There is no specific antidote for overdose with tofacitinib. Treatment should besymptomatic and supportive.
Pharmacokinetic data up to and including a single dose of 100 mg in healthy volunteers indicate thatmore than 95% of the administered dose is expected to be eliminated within 24 hours.
5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
Pharmacotherapeutic groups: Immunosuppressants, Janus-associated kinase (JAK) inhibitors; ATCcode: L04AF01
Mechanism of actionTofacitinib is a potent, selective inhibitor of the JAK family. In enzymatic assays, tofacitinib inhibits
JAK1, JAK2, JAK3, and to a lesser extent TyK2. In contrast, tofacitinib has a high degree ofselectivity against other kinases in the human genome. In human cells, tofacitinib preferentiallyinhibits signalling by heterodimeric cytokine receptors that associate with JAK3 and/or JAK1 withfunctional selectivity over cytokine receptors that signal via pairs of JAK2. Inhibition of JAK1 and
JAK3 by tofacitinib attenuates signalling of interleukins (IL-2, -4, -6, -7, -9, -15, -21) and type I andtype II interferons, which will result in modulation of the immune and inflammatory response.
Pharmacodynamic effectsIn patients with RA, treatment up to 6 months with tofacitinib was associated with dose-dependentreductions of circulating CD16/56+ natural killer (NK) cells, with estimated maximum reductionsoccurring at approximately 8-10 weeks after initiation of therapy. These changes generally resolvedwithin 2-6 weeks after discontinuation of treatment. Treatment with tofacitinib was associated withdose-dependent increases in B cell counts. Changes in circulating T-lymphocyte counts and
T-lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+) were small and inconsistent.
Following long-term treatment (median duration of tofacitinib treatment of approximately 5 years),
CD4+ and CD8+ counts showed median reductions of 28% and 27%, respectively, from baseline. Incontrast to the observed decrease after short-term dosing, CD16/56+ natural killer cell counts showeda median increase of 73% from baseline. CD19+ B cell counts showed no further increases afterlong-term tofacitinib treatment. All these lymphocyte subset changes returned toward baseline aftertemporary discontinuation of treatment. There was no evidence of a relationship between serious oropportunistic infections or herpes zoster and lymphocyte subset counts (see section 4.2 for absolutelymphocyte count monitoring).
Changes in total serum IgG, IgM, and IgA levels over 6-month tofacitinib dosing in patients with RAwere small, not dose-dependent and similar to those seen on placebo, indicating a lack of systemichumoral suppression.
After treatment with tofacitinib in RA patients, rapid decreases in serum C-reactive protein (CRP)were observed and maintained throughout dosing. Changes in CRP observed with tofacitinib treatmentdo not reverse fully within 2 weeks after discontinuation, indicating a longer duration ofpharmacodynamic activity compared to the half-life.
Vaccine studiesIn a controlled clinical study of patients with RA initiating tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily or placebo,the number of responders to influenza vaccine was similar in both groups: tofacitinib (57%) andplacebo (62%). For pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine the number of responders was as follows:32% in patients receiving both tofacitinib and MTX; 62% for tofacitinib monotherapy; 62% for MTXmonotherapy; and 77% for placebo. The clinical significance of this is unknown, however, similarresults were obtained in a separate vaccine study with influenza and pneumococcal polysaccharidevaccines in patients receiving long-term tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily.
A controlled study was conducted in patients with RA on background MTX immunised with a liveattenuated herpes virus vaccine 2 to 3 weeks before initiating a 12-week treatment with tofacitinib5 mg twice daily or placebo. Evidence of humoral and cell-mediated responses to VZV was observedin both tofacitinib and placebo-treated patients at 6 weeks. These responses were similar to thoseobserved in healthy volunteers aged 50 years and older. A patient with no previous history of varicellainfection and no anti-varicella antibodies at baseline experienced dissemination of the vaccine strainof varicella 16 days after vaccination. Tofacitinib was discontinued and the patient recovered aftertreatment with standard doses of antiviral medicinal product. This patient subsequently made a robust,though delayed, humoral and cellular response to the vaccine (see section 4.4).
Clinical efficacy and safetyRheumatoid arthritisThe efficacy and safety of tofacitinib film-coated tablets were assessed in 6 randomised, double-blind,controlled multicentre studies in patients greater than 18 years of age with active RA diagnosedaccording to American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria. Table 9 provides informationregarding the pertinent study design and population characteristics.
Table 9: Phase 3 clinical studies of tofacitinib 5 mg and 10 mg twice daily doses in patients with
RA
Studies Study I Study II Study III Study IV Study V Study VI Study VII(ORAL (ORAL (ORAL (ORAL (ORAL (ORAL (ORAL
Solo) Sync) Standard) Scan) Step) Start) Strategy)
Population DMARD-IR DMARD- MTX-IR MTX-IR TNFi-IR MTX-naïvea MTX-IR
IR
Control Placebo Placebo Placebo Placebo Placebo MTX MTX,
ADA
Background Noneb csDMARDs MTX MTX MTX Noneb 3 Parallel arms:treatment - Tofacitinibmonotherapy
- Tofacitinib+MTX
- ADA+MTX
Key features Monotherapy Various Active X-Ray TNFi-IR Monotherapy, Tofacitinib with andcsDMARDs control Active without MTX in(ADA) comparator comparison to ADA(MTX), with MTX
X-Ray
Number of 610 792 717 797 399 956 1,146patientstreated
Total study 6 months 1 year 1 year 2 years 6 months 2 years 1 yearduration
Co-primary Month 3: Month 6: Month 6: Month 6: Month 3: Month 6: Month 6:efficacy ACR20 ACR20 ACR20 ACR20 ACR20 mTSS ACR50endpointsc HAQ-DI DAS28- DAS28- mTSS HAQ-DI ACR70
DAS28- 4(ESR)<2.6 4(ESR)<2.6 DAS28- DAS28-4(ESR)<2.6 Month 3: Month 3: 4(ESR)<2.6 4(ESR)<2.6
HAQ-DI HAQ-DI Month 3:
HAQ-DI
Time of Month 3 Month 6 (placebo subjects with < 20% Month 3 NA NAmandatory improvement in swollen and tender jointplacebo counts advanced to tofacitinib atrescue to month 3)tofacitinib 5or 10 mgtwice daily
a. ≤3 weekly doses (MTX-naïve).b.Antimalarials were allowed.
c. Co-primary endpoints as follows: mean change from baseline in mTSS; percent of subjects achieving ACR20 or ACR70responses; mean change from baseline in HAQ-DI; percent of subjects achieving a DAS28-4(ESR) <2.6 (remission).mTSS=modified Total Sharp Score, ACR20(70)=American College of Rheumatology ≥20% (≥70%) improvement,
DAS28=Disease Activity Score 28 joints, ESR=Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate, HAQ-DI=Health Assessment
Questionnaire Disability Index, DMARD=disease-modifying antirheumatic drug, IR=inadequate responder,csDMARD=conventional synthetic DMARD, TNFi=tumour necrosis factor inhibitor, NA=not applicable,
ADA=adalimumab, MTX=methotrexate.
Clinical responseACR responseThe percentages of tofacitinib-treated patients achieving ACR20, ACR50 and ACR70 responses instudies ORAL Solo, ORAL Sync, ORAL Standard, ORAL Scan, ORAL Step, ORAL Start, and
ORAL Strategy are shown in Table 10. In all studies, patients treated with either 5 mg or 10 mg twicedaily tofacitinib had statistically significant ACR20, ACR50 and ACR70 response rates at month 3and month 6 versus placebo (or versus MTX in ORAL Start) treated patients.
Over the course of ORAL Strategy, responses with tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily + MTX werenumerically similar compared to adalimumab 40 mg + MTX and both were numerically higher thantofacitinib 5 mg twice daily.
The treatment effect was similar in patients independent of rheumatoid factor status, age, gender, race,or disease status. Time to onset was rapid (as early as week 2 in studies ORAL Solo, ORAL Sync, and
ORAL Step) and the magnitude of response continued to improve with duration of treatment. As withthe overall ACR response in patients treated with 5 mg or 10 mg twice daily tofacitinib, each of thecomponents of the ACR response was consistently improved from baseline including: tender andswollen joint counts; patient and physician global assessment; disability index scores; pain assessmentand CRP compared to patients receiving placebo plus MTX or other DMARDs in all studies.
Table 10: Proportion (%) of patients with an ACR response
ORAL Solo: DMARD inadequate responders
Tofacitinib 5 mg Tofacitinib 10 mg
Placebo twice daily twice daily
Endpoint Time
N=122 monotherapy monotherapy
N=241 N=243
Month 3 26 60*** 65***
ACR20
Month 6 NA 69 71
Month 3 12 31*** 37***
ACR50
Month 6 NA 42 47
Month 3 6 15* 20***
ACR70
Month 6 NA 22 29
ORAL Sync: DMARD inadequate responders
Placebo + Tofacitinib 5 mg Tofacitinib 10 mg
DMARD(s) twice daily + twice daily +
Endpoint Time
DMARD(s) DMARD(s)
N=158 N=312 N=315
Month 3 27 56*** 63***
ACR20 Month 6 31 53*** 57***
Month 12 NA 51 56
Month 3 9 27*** 33***
ACR50 Month 6 13 34*** 36***
Month 12 NA 33 42
Month 3 2 8** 14***
ACR70 Month 6 3 13*** 16***
Month 12 NA 19 25
ORAL Standard: MTX inadequate responders
Adalimumab 40 mg
Tofacitinib twice
Endpoint Time Placebo QOWdaily + MTX+ MTX5 mg 10 mg
N=105 N=198 N=197 N=199
ACR20 Month 3 26 59*** 57*** 56***
Month 6 28 51*** 51*** 46**
Month 12 NA 48 49 48
Month 3 7 33*** 27*** 24***
ACR50 Month 6 12 36*** 34*** 27**
Month 12 NA 36 36 33
Month 3 2 12** 15*** 9*
ACR70 Month 6 2 19*** 21*** 9*
Month 12 NA 22 23 17
ORAL Scan: MTX inadequate responders
Tofacitinib 5 mg Tofacitinib 10 mg
Placebo + MTX twice daily twice daily
Endpoint Time
N=156 + MTX + MTX
N=316 N=309
Month 3 27 55*** 66***
Month 6 25 50*** 62***
ACR20
Month 12 NA 47 55
Month 24 NA 40 50
Month 3 8 28*** 36***
Month 6 8 32*** 44***
ACR50
Month 12 NA 32 39
Month 24 NA 28 40
Month 3 3 10** 17***
Month 6 1 14*** 22***
ACR70
Month 12 NA 18 27
Month 24 NA 17 26
ORAL Step: TNF Inhibitor inadequate responders
Tofacitinib 5 mg Tofacitinib 10 mg
Placebo + MTX twice daily twice daily
Endpoint Time
N=132 + MTX + MTX
N=133 N=134
Month 3 24 41* 48***
ACR20
Month 6 NA 51 54
Month 3 8 26*** 28***
ACR50
Month 6 NA 37 30
Month 3 2 14*** 10*
ACR70
Month 6 NA 16 16
ORAL Start: MTX-naïve
Tofacitinib 5 mg Tofacitinib 10 mg
MTX twice daily twice daily
Endpoint Time
N=184 monotherapy monotherapy
N=370 N=394
Month 3 52 69*** 77***
Month 6 51 71*** 75***
ACR20
Month 12 51 67** 71***
Month 24 42 63*** 64***
Month 3 20 40*** 49***
Month 6 27 46*** 56***
ACR50
Month 12 33 49** 55***
Month 24 28 48*** 49***
Month 3 5 20*** 26***
Month 6 12 25*** 37***
ACR70
Month 12 15 28** 38***
Month 24 15 34*** 37***
ORAL Strategy: MTX inadequate responders
Tofacitinib 5 mg
Tofacitinib 5 mg Adalimumabtwice daily
Endpoint Time twice daily + MTX+ MTX
N=384 N=386
N=376
Month 3 62.50 70.48ǂ 69.17
ACR20 Month 6 62.84 73.14ǂ 70.98
Month 12 61.72 70.21ǂ 67.62
Month 3 31.51 40.96ǂ 37.31
ACR50 Month 6 38.28 46.01ǂ 43.78
Month 12 39.31 47.61ǂ 45.85
Month 3 13.54 19.41ǂ 14.51
ACR70 Month 6 18.23 25.00ǂ 20.73
Month 12 21.09 28.99ǂ 25.91
*p<0.05
**p<0.001
***p<0.0001 verses placebo (versus MTX for ORAL Start)ǂp<0.05 - tofacitinib 5 mg + MTX versus tofacitinib 5 mg for ORAL Strategy (normal p-values without multiplecomparison adjustment)
QOW=every other week, N=number of subjects analysed, ACR20/50/70=American College of Rheumatology ≥20, 50,70% improvement, NA=not applicable, MTX=methotrexate.
DAS28-4(ESR) response
Patients in the phase 3 studies had a mean Disease Activity Score (DAS28-4[ESR]) of 6.1-6.7 atbaseline. Significant reductions in DAS28-4(ESR) from baseline (mean improvement) of 1.8-2.0 and1.9-2.2 were observed in patients treated with 5 mg and 10 mg twice daily doses, respectively,compared to placebo-treated patients (0.7-1.1) at month 3. The proportion of patients achieving a
DAS28 clinical remission (DAS28-4(ESR) < 2.6) in ORAL Step, ORAL Sync, and ORAL Standard isshown in Table 11.
Table 11: Number (%) of subjects achieving DAS28-4(ESR) < 2.6 remission at months 3 and 6
Time Point N %
ORAL Step: TNF Inhibitor inadequate responders
Tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily + MTX Month 3 133 6
Tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily + MTX Month 3 134 8*
Placebo + MTX Month 3 132 2
ORAL Sync: DMARD inadequate responders
Tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily Month 6 312 8*
Tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily Month 6 315 11***
Placebo Month 6 158 3
ORAL Standard: MTX inadequate responders
Tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily + MTX Month 6 198 6*
Tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily + MTX Month 6 197 11***
Adalimumab 40 mg SC QOW + MTX Month 6 199 6*
Placebo + MTX Month 6 105 1
*p <0.05, ***p<0.0001 versus placebo, SC=subcutaneous, QOW=every other week, N=number of subjects analysed,
DAS28=Disease Activity Scale 28 joints, ESR=Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate.
Radiographic responseIn ORAL Scan and ORAL Start, inhibition of progression of structural joint damage was assessedradiographically and expressed as mean change from baseline in mTSS and its components, theerosion score and joint space narrowing (JSN) score, at months 6 and 12.
In ORAL Scan, tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily plus background MTX resulted in significantly greaterinhibition of the progression of structural damage compared to placebo plus MTX at months 6 and 12.
When given at a dose of 5 mg twice daily, tofacitinib plus MTX exhibited similar effects on meanprogression of structural damage (not statistically significant). Analysis of erosion and JSN scoreswere consistent with overall results.
In the placebo plus MTX group, 78% of patients experienced no radiographic progression (mTSSchange less than or equal to 0.5) at month 6 compared to 89% and 87% of patients treated withtofacitinib 5 or 10 mg (plus MTX) twice daily respectively, (both significant versus placebo plus
MTX).
In ORAL Start, tofacitinib monotherapy resulted in significantly greater inhibition of the progressionof structural damage compared to MTX at months 6 and 12 as shown in Table 12, which was alsomaintained at month 24. Analyses of erosion and JSN scores were consistent with overall results.
In the MTX group, 70% of patients experienced no radiographic progression at month 6 compared to83% and 90% of patients treated with tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg twice daily respectively, both significantversus MTX.
Table 12: Radiographic changes at months 6 and 12
ORAL Scan: MTX inadequate responders
Placebo + Tofacitinib Tofacitinib Tofacitinib Tofacitinib
MTX 5 mg 5 mg 10 mg 10 mg
N=139 twice daily + twice daily + MTX twice daily + twice daily +
Mean MTX Mean difference MTX MTX(SD)a N=277 from placebob (CI) N=290 Mean difference
Mean (SD)a Mean (SD)a from placebob(CI)mTSSc
Baseline 33 (42) 31 (48) - 37 (54) -
Month 6 0.5 (2.0) 0.1 (1.7) -0.3 (-0.7, 0.0) 0.1 (2.0) -0.4 (-0.8, 0.0)
Month 12 1.0 (3.9) 0.3 (3.0) -0.6 (-1.3, 0.0) 0.1 (2.9) -0.9 (-1.5, -0.2)
ORAL Start: MTX-naïve
MTX Tofacitinib Tofacitinib Tofacitinib Tofacitinib
N=168 5 mg 5 mg 10 mg 10 mg
Mean twice daily twice daily twice daily twice daily(SD)a N=344 Mean difference N=368 Mean difference
Mean (SD)a from MTXd (CI) Mean (SD)a from MTXd (CI)mTSSc
Baseline 16 (29) 20 (41) - 19 (39) -
Month 6 0.9 (2.7) 0.2 (2.3) -0.7 (-1.0, -0.3) 0.0 (1.2) -0.8 (-1.2, -0.4)
Month 12 1.3 (3.7) 0.4 (3.0) -0.9 (-1.4, -0.4) 0.0 (1.5) -1.3 (-1.8, -0.8)a SD = Standard Deviationb Difference between least squares means tofacitinib minus placebo (95% CI = 95% confidence interval)c Month 6 and month 12 data are mean change from baselined Difference between least squares means tofacitinib minus MTX (95% CI = 95% confidence interval)
Physical function response and health-related outcomes
Tofacitinib, alone or in combination with MTX, has shown improvements in physical function, asmeasured by the HAQ-DI. Patients receiving tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg twice daily demonstratedsignificantly greater improvement from baseline in physical functioning compared to placebo atmonth 3 (studies ORAL Solo, ORAL Sync, ORAL Standard, and ORAL Step) and month 6 (studies
ORAL Sync and ORAL Standard). Tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg twice daily-treated patients demonstratedsignificantly greater improvement in physical functioning compared to placebo as early as week 2 in
ORAL Solo and ORAL Sync. Changes from baseline in HAQ-DI in studies ORAL Standard, ORAL
Step and ORAL Sync are shown in Table 13.
Table 13: LS mean change from baseline in HAQ-DI at month 3
Placebo + Tofacitinib Tofacitinib Adalimumab
MTX 5 mg twice daily 10 mg twice 40 mg QOW+ MTX daily + MTX+ MTX
ORAL Standard: MTX inadequate responders
N=96 N=185 N=183 N=188
- 0.24 -0.54*** -0.61*** -0.50***
ORAL Step: TNF inhibitor inadequate responders
N=118 N=117 N=125 NA
- 0.18 -0.43*** -0.46*** NA
Placebo + DMARD(s) Tofacitinib Tofacitinib5 mg twice daily + 10 mg twice
DMARD(s) daily+ DMARD(s)
ORAL Sync: DMARD inadequate responders
N=147 N=292 N=292 NA
- 0.21 -0.46*** -0.56*** NA
*** p<0.0001, tofacitinib versus placebo + MTX, LS = least squares, N = number of patients, QOW = every otherweek, NA = not applicable, HAQ-DI = Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index
Health-related quality of life was assessed by the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Patientsreceiving either 5 or 10 mg tofacitinib twice daily experienced significantly greater improvement frombaseline compared to placebo in all 8 domains as well as the Physical Component Summary and
Mental Component Summary scores at month 3 in ORAL Solo, ORAL Scan and ORAL Step. In
ORAL Scan, mean SF-36 improvements were maintained to 12 months in tofacitinib-treated patients.
Improvement in fatigue was evaluated by the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness
Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F) scale at month 3 in all studies. Patients receiving tofacitinib 5 or 10 mgtwice daily demonstrated significantly greater improvement from baseline in fatigue compared toplacebo in all 5 studies. In ORAL Standard and ORAL Scan, mean FACIT-F improvements weremaintained to 12 months in tofacitinib-treated patients.
Improvement in sleep was assessed using the Sleep Problems Index I and II summary scales of the
Medical Outcomes Study Sleep (MOS-Sleep) measure at month 3 in all studies. Patients receivingtofacitinib 5 or 10 mg twice daily demonstrated significantly greater improvement from baseline inboth scales compared to placebo in ORAL Sync, ORAL Standard and ORAL Scan. In ORAL
Standard and ORAL Scan, mean improvements in both scales were maintained to 12 months intofacitinib-treated patients.
Durability of clinical responses
Durability of effect was assessed by ACR20, ACR50, ACR70 response rates in studies of duration ofup to two years. Changes in mean HAQ-DI and DAS28-4(ESR) were maintained in both tofacitinibtreatment groups through to the end of the studies.
Evidence of persistence of efficacy with tofacitinib treatment for up to 5 years is also provided fromdata in a randomised post-authorisation safety study in patients with RA who were 50 years of age orolder with at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor, as well as in completed open-label,long-term follow-up studies up to 8 years.
Long-term controlled safety data
Study ORAL Surveillance (A3921133) was a large (N=4362), randomised active-controlledpost-authorisation safety surveillance study of rheumatoid arthritis patients who were 50 years of ageand older and had at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor (CV risk factors defined as: currentcigarette smoker, diagnosis of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, family history of premature coronaryheart disease, history of coronary artery disease including a history of revascularization procedure,coronary artery bypass grafting, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, unstable angina, acute coronarysyndrome, and presence of extra-articular disease associated with RA, e.g. nodules, Sjögren’ssyndrome, anaemia of chronic disease, pulmonary manifestations). The majority (more than 90%) oftofacitinib patients who were current or past smokers had a smoking duration of more than 10 yearsand a median of 35.0 and 39.0 smoking years, respectively. Patients were required to be on a stabledose of methotrexate at study entry; dose adjustment was permitted during the study.
Patients were randomised to open-label tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily, tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily, or a
TNF inhibitor (TNF inhibitor was either etanercept 50 mg once weekly or adalimumab 40 mg everyother week) in a 1:1:1 ratio. The co-primary endpoints were adjudicated malignancies excluding
NMSC and adjudicated major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE); cumulative incidence andstatistical assessment of endpoints were blinded. The study was an event-powered study that alsorequired at least 1500 patients to be followed for 3 years. The study treatment of tofacitinib 10 mgtwice daily was stopped and patients were switched to 5 mg twice daily because of a dose-dependentsignal of venous thromboembolic events (VTE). For patients in the tofacitinib 10 mg twice dailytreatment arm, the data collected before and after the dose switch were analysed in their originallyrandomised treatment group.
The study did not meet the non-inferiority criterion for the primary comparison of the combinedtofacitinib doses to TNF inhibitor since the upper limit of the 95% CI for HR exceeded thepre-specified non-inferiority criterion of 1.8 for adjudicated MACE and adjudicated malignanciesexcluding NMSC.
The results for adjudicated MACE, adjudicated malignancies excluding NMSC, and selected otherevents are provided below.
MACE (including myocardial infarction) and venous thromboembolism (VTE)
An increase in non-fatal myocardial infarction was observed in patients treated with tofacitinibcompared to TNF inhibitor. A dose-dependent increase in VTE events was observed in patients treatedwith tofacitinib compared to TNF inhibitor (see sections 4.4 and 4.8).
Table 14: Incidence rate and hazard ratio for MACE, myocardial infarction and venousthromboembolism
Tofacitinib 5 mg Tofacitinib 10 mg All Tofacitinibb TNF inhibitortwice daily twice dailya (TNFi)
MACEc
IR (95% CI) per 100 0.91 (0.67, 1.21) 1.05 (0.78, 1.38) 0.98 (0.79, 1.19) 0.73 (0.52, 1.01)
PY
HR (95% CI) vs TNFi 1.24 (0.81, 1.91) 1.43 (0.94, 2.18) 1.33 (0.91, 1.94)
Fatal MIc
IR (95% CI) per 100 0.00 (0.00, 0.07) 0.06 (0.01, 0.18) 0.03 (0.01, 0.09) 0.06 (0.01, 0.17)
PY
HR (95% CI) vs TNFi 0.00 (0.00, Inf) 1.03 (0.21, 5.11) 0.50 (0.10, 2.49)
Non-fatal MIc
IR (95% CI) per 100 0.37 (0.22, 0.57) 0.33 (0.19, 0.53) 0.35 (0.24, 0.48) 0.16 (0.07, 0.31)
PY
HR (95% CI) vs TNFi 2.32 (1.02, 5.30) 2.08 (0.89, pct. 4.86) 2.20 (1.02, 4.75)
VTEd
IR (95% CI) per 100 0.33 (0.19, 0.53) 0.70 (0.49, 0.99) 0.51 (0.38, 0.67) 0.20 (0.10, 0.37)
PY
HR (95% CI) vs TNFi 1.66 (0.76, 3.63) 3.52 (1.74, 7.12) 2.56 (1.30, 5.05)
PEd
IR (95% CI) per 100 0.17 (0.08, 0.33) 0.50 (0.32, 0.74) 0.33 (0.23, 0.46) 0.06 (0.01, 0.17)
PY
HR (95% CI) vs TNFi 2.93 (0.79, 10.83) 8.26 (2.49, 27.43) 5.53 (1.70, 18.02)
DVTd
IR (95% CI) per 100 0.21 (0.11, 0.38) 0.31 (0.17, 0.51) 0.26 (0.17, 0.38) 0.14 (0.06, 0.29)
PY
HR (95% CI) vs TNFi 1.54 (0.60, 3.97) 2.21 (0.90, 5.43) 1.87 (0.81, pct. 4.30)a The tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily treatment group includes data from patients that were switched from tofacitinib 10 mg twice dailyto tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily as a result of a study modification.b Combined tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily and tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily.c Based on events occurring on treatment or within 60 days of treatment discontinuation.d Based on events occurring on treatment or within 28 days of treatment discontinuation.
Abbreviations: MACE = major adverse cardiovascular events, MI = myocardial infarction, VTE = venous thromboembolism, PE =pulmonary embolism, DVT = deep vein thrombosis, TNF = tumour necrosis factor, IR = incidence rate, HR = hazard ratio, CI =confidence interval, PY = patient years, Inf = infinity
The following predictive factors for development of MI (fatal and non-fatal) were identified using amultivariate Cox model with backward selection: age ≥65 years, male, current or past smoking,history of diabetes, and history of coronary artery disease (which includes myocardial infarction,coronary heart disease, stable angina pectoris, or coronary artery procedures) (see sections 4.4 and4.8).
MalignanciesAn increase in malignancies excluding NMSC, particularly lung cancer, lymphoma and an increase in
NMSC was observed in patients treated with tofacitinib compared to TNF inhibitor.
Table 15: Incidence rate and hazard ratio for malignanciesa
Tofacitinib 5 mg Tofacitinib 10 mg All Tofacitinibc TNF inhibitortwice daily twice dailyb (TNFi)
Malignancies excluding NMSCIR (95% CI) per 100 1.13 (0.87, 1.45) 1.13 (0.86, 1.45) 1.13 (0.94, 1.35) 0.77 (0.55, 1.04)
PY
HR (95% CI) vs TNFi 1.47 (1.00, 2.18) 1.48 (1.00, 2.19) 1.48 (1.04, 2.09)
Lung cancer
IR (95% CI) per 100 0.23 (0.12, 0.40) 0.32 (0.18, 0.51) 0.28 (0.19, 0.39) 0.13 (0.05, 0.26)
PY
HR (95% CI) vs TNFi 1.84 (0.74, pct. 4.62) 2.50 (1.04, 6.02) 2.17 (0.95, 4.93)
Lymphoma
IR (95% CI) per 100 0.07 (0.02, 0.18) 0.11 (0.04, 0.24) 0.09 (0.04, 0.17) 0.02 (0.00, 0.10)
PY
HR (95% CI) vs TNFi 3.99 (0.45, 35.70) 6.24 (0.75, 51.86) 5.09 (0.65, 39.78)
NMSC
IR (95% CI) per 100 0.61 (0.41, 0.86) 0.69 (0.47, 0.96) 0.64 (0.50, 0.82) 0.32 (0.18, 0.52)
PY
HR (95% CI) vs TNFi 1.90 (1.04, 3.47) 2.16 (1.19, 3.92) 2.02 (1.17, 3.50)a For malignancies excluding NMSC, lung cancer, and lymphoma, based on events occurring on treatment or after treatmentdiscontinuation up to the end of the study. For NMSC based on events occurring on treatment or within 28 days of treatmentdiscontinuation.b The tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily treatment group includes data from patients that were switched from tofacitinib 10 mg twice dailyto tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily as a result of a study modification.c Combined tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily and tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily.
Abbreviations: NMSC = non melanoma skin cancer, TNF = tumour necrosis factor, IR = incidence rate, HR = hazard ratio, CI =confidence interval, PY = patient years
The following predictive factors for development of malignancies excluding NMSC were identifiedusing a Multivariate Cox model with backward selection: age ≥65 years and current or past smoking(see sections 4.4 and 4.8).
MortalityIncreased mortality was observed in patients treated with tofacitinib compared to TNF inhibitors.
Mortality was mainly due to cardiovascular events, infections and malignancies.
Table 16: Incidence rate and hazard ratio for mortalitya
Tofacitinib 5 mg Tofacitinib 10 mg All Tofacitinibc TNF inhibitortwice daily twice dailyb (TNFi)
Mortality (all cause)
IR (95% CI) per 100 PY 0.50 (0.33, 0.74) 0.80 (0.57, 1.09) 0.65 (0.50, 0.82) 0.34 (0.20, 0.54)
HR (95% CI) vs TNFi 1.49 (0.81, 2.74) 2.37 (1.34, 4.18) 1.91 (1.12, 3.27)
Fatal infections
IR (95% CI) per 100 PY 0.08 (0.02, 0.20) 0.18 (0.08, 0.35) 0.13 (0.07, 0.22) 0.06 (0.01, 0.17)
HR (95% CI) vs TNFi 1.30 (0.29, 5.79) 3.10 (0.84, 11.45) 2.17 (0.62, 7.62)
Fatal CV events
IR (95% CI) per 100 PY 0.25 (0.13, 0.43) 0.41 (0.25, 0.63) 0.33 (0.23, 0.46) 0.20 (0.10, 0.36)
HR (95% CI) vs TNFi 1.26 (0.55, 2.88) 2.05 (0.96, pct. 4.39) 1.65 (0.81, 3.34)
Fatal Malignancies
IR (95% CI) per 100 PY 0.10 (0.03, 0.23) 0.00 (0.00, 0.08) 0.05 (0.02, 0.12) 0.02 (0.00, 0.11)
HR (95% CI) vs TNFi 4.88 (0.57, 41.74) 0 (0.00, Inf) 2.53 (0.30, 21.64)a Based on events occurring on treatment or within 28 days of treatment discontinuation.b The tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily treatment group includes data from patients that were switched from tofacitinib 10 mgtwice daily to tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily as a result of a study modification.c Combined tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily and tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily.
Abbreviations: TNF = tumor necrosis factor, IR = incidence rate, HR = hazard ratio, CI = confidence interval, PY = patientyears, CV = cardiovascular, Inf = infinity
Psoriatic arthritisThe efficacy and safety of tofacitinib film-coated tablets were assessed in 2 randomised, double-blind,placebo-controlled Phase 3 studies in adult patients with active PsA (≥ 3 swollen and ≥ 3 tenderjoints). Patients were required to have active plaque psoriasis at the screening visit. For both studies,the primary endpoints were ACR20 response rate and change from baseline in HAQ-DI at month 3.
Study PsA-I (OPAL BROADEN) evaluated 422 patients who had a previous inadequate response (dueto lack of efficacy or intolerance) to a csDMARD (MTX for 92.7% of patients); 32.7% of the patientsin this study had a previous inadequate response to > 1 csDMARD or 1 csDMARD and a targetedsynthetic DMARD (tsDMARD). In OPAL BROADEN, previous treatment with TNF inhibitor wasnot allowed. All patients were required to have 1 concomitant csDMARD; 83.9% of patients receivedconcomitant MTX, 9.5% of patients received concomitant sulfasalazine, and 5.7% of patients receivedconcomitant leflunomide. The median PsA disease duration was 3.8 years. At baseline, 79.9% and56.2% of patients had enthesitis and dactylitis, respectively. Patients randomised to tofacitinibreceived 5 mg twice daily or tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily for 12 months. Patients randomised toplacebo were advanced in a blinded manner at month 3 to either tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily ortofacitinib 10 mg twice daily and received treatment until month 12. Patients randomised toadalimumab (active-control arm) received 40 mg subcutaneously every 2 weeks for 12 months.
Study PsA-II (OPAL BEYOND) evaluated 394 patients who had discontinued a TNF inhibitor due tolack of efficacy or intolerance; 36.0% had a previous inadequate response to > 1 biological DMARD.
All patients were required to have 1 concomitant csDMARD; 71.6% of patients received concomitant
MTX, 15.7% of patients received concomitant sulfasalazine, and 8.6% of patients receivedconcomitant leflunomide. The median PsA disease duration was 7.5 years. At baseline, 80.7% and49.2% of patients had enthesitis and dactylitis, respectively. Patients randomised to tofacitinibreceived 5 mg twice daily or tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily for 6 months. Patients randomised toplacebo were advanced in a blinded manner at month 3 to either tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily ortofacitinib 10 mg twice daily and received treatment until month 6.
Signs and symptoms
Treatment with tofacitinib resulted in significant improvements in some signs and symptoms of PsA,as assessed by the ACR20 response criteria compared to placebo at month 3. The efficacy results forimportant endpoints assessed are shown in Table 17.
Table 17: Proportion (%) of PsA patients who achieved clinical response and mean changefrom baseline in OPAL BROADEN and OPAL BEYOND studies
Conventional synthetic DMARD TNFiinadequate respondersa (TNFi-Naïve) inadequate respondersb
OPAL BROADEN OPAL BEYONDc
Treatment Placebo Tofacitinib 5 Adalimumab 40 mg Placebo Tofacitinib 5group mg twice daily SC q2W mg twice daily
N 105 107 106 131 131
ACR20
Month 3 33% 50%d,* 52%* 24% 50%d,***
Month 6 NA 59% 64% NA 60%
Month 12 NA 68% 60% - -
ACR50
Month 3 10% 28%e,** 33%*** 15% 30%e,*
Month 6 NA 38% 42% NA 38%
Month 12 NA 45% 41% - -
ACR70
Month 3 5% 17%e,* 19%* 10% 17%
Month 6 NA 18% 30% NA 21%
Month 12 NA 23% 29% - -∆LEIf
Month 3 -0.4 -0.8 -1.1* -0.5 -1.3*
Month 6 NA -1.3 -1.3 NA -1.5
Month 12 NA -1.7 -1.6 - -∆DSSf
Month 3 -2.0 -3.5 -4.0 -1.9 -5.2*
Month 6 NA -5.2 -5.4 NA -6.0
Month 12 NA -7.4 -6.1 - -
PASI75g
Month 3 15% 43%d,*** 39%** 14% 21%
Month 6 NA 46% 55% NA 34%
Month 12 NA 56% 56% - -
* Nominal p≤0.05; ** Nominal p<0.001; *** Nominal p<0.0001 for active treatment versus placebo atmonth 3.
Abbreviations: BSA=body surface area; ∆LEI=change from baseline in Leeds Enthesitis Index;∆DSS=change from baseline in Dactylitis Severity Score; ACR20/50/70=American College of
Rheumatology ≥ 20%, 50%, 70% improvement; csDMARD=conventional synthetic disease-modifyingantirheumatic drug; N=number of randomised and treated patients; NA=Not applicable, as data for placebotreatment is not available beyond month 3 due to placebo advanced to tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily ortofacitinib 10 mg twice daily; SC q2w=subcutaneously once every 2 weeks; TNFi=tumour necrosis factorinhibitor; PASI=Psoriasis Area and Severity index; PASI75=≥ 75% improvement in PASI.a Inadequate response to at least 1 csDMARD due to lack of efficacy and/or intolerability.b Inadequate response to a least 1 TNFi due to lack of efficacy and/or intolerability.c OPAL BEYOND had a duration of 6 months.d Achieved statistical significance globally at p≤ 0.05 per the pre-specified step-down testing procedure.e Achieved statistical significance within the ACR family (ACR50 and ACR70) at p≤ 0.05 per thepre-specified step-down testing procedure.f For patients with Baseline score > 0.g For patients with Baseline BSA ≥ 3% and PASI > 0.
Both TNF inhibitor naïve and TNF inhibitor inadequate responder tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily -treatedpatients had significantly higher ACR20 response rates compared to placebo at month 3. Examinationof age, sex, race, baseline disease activity and PsA subtype did not identify differences in response totofacitinib. The number of patients with arthritis mutilans or axial involvement was too small to allowmeaningful assessment. Statistically significant ACR20 response rates were observed with tofacitinib5 mg twice daily in both studies as early as week 2 (first post-baseline assessment) in comparison toplacebo.
In OPAL BROADEN, Minimal Disease Activity (MDA) response was achieved by 26.2%, 25.5% and6.7% of tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily, adalimumab and placebo treated patients, respectively(tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily treatment difference from placebo 19.5% [95% CI: 9.9, 29.1]) at month3. In OPAL BEYOND, MDA was achieved by 22.9% and 14.5% of tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily andplacebo treated patients, respectively, however tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily did not achieve nominalstatistical significance (treatment difference from placebo 8.4% [95% CI: -1.0, 17.8] at month 3).
Radiographic responseIn study OPAL BROADEN, the progression of structural joint damage was assessed radiographicallyutilising the van der Heijde modified Total Sharp Score (mTSS) and the proportion of patients withradiographic progression (mTSS increase from baseline greater than 0.5) was assessed at month 12. Atmonth 12, 96% and 98% of patients receiving tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily, and adalimumab 40 mgsubcutaneously every 2 weeks, respectively, did not have radiographic progression (mTSS increasefrom baseline less than or equal to 0.5).
Physical function and health-related quality of lifeImprovement in physical functioning was measured by the HAQ-DI. Patients receiving tofacitinib5 mg twice daily demonstrated greater improvement (p≤ 0.05) from baseline in physical functioningcompared to placebo at month 3 (see Table 18).
Table 18: Change from baseline in HAQ-DI in PsA studies OPAL BROADEN and OPAL
BEYOND
Least squares mean change from baseline in HAQ-DI
Conventional synthetic DMARD TNFiinadequate respondersa (TNFi-naïve) inadequate respondersb
OPAL BROADEN OPAL BEYOND
Treatment Placebo Tofacitinib 5 mg Adalimumab 40 mg Placebo Tofacitinib 5 mggroup twice daily SC q2W twice daily
N 104 107 106 131 129
Month 3 -0.18 -0.35c,* -0.38* -0.14 -0.39c,***
Month 6 NA -0.45 -0.43 NA -0.44
Month 12 NA -0.54 -0.45 NA NA
* Nominal p≤0.05; *** Nominal p<0.0001 for active treatment versus placebo at month 3.
Abbreviations: DMARD=disease-modifying antirheumatic drug; HAQ-DI=Health Assessment Questionnaire
Disability Index; N=total number of patients in the statistical analysis; SC q2w=subcutaneously once every2 weeks; TNFi=tumour necrosis factor inhibitor.a Inadequate response to at least one conventional synthetic DMARD (csDMARD) due to lack of efficacyand/or intolerability.b Inadequate response to a least one TNF inhibitor (TNFi) due to lack of efficacy and/or intolerability.c Achieved statistical significance globally at p≤ 0.05 per the pre-specified step-down testing procedure.
The HAQ-DI responder rate (response defined as having decrease from baseline of ≥ 0.35) at month 3in studies OPAL BROADEN and OPAL BEYOND was 53% and 50%, respectively in patientsreceiving tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily, 31% and 28%, respectively in patients receiving placebo, and53% in patients receiving adalimumab 40 mg subcutaneously once every 2 weeks (OPAL BROADENonly).
Health-related quality of life was assessed by SF-36v2, fatigue was assessed by the FACIT-F. Patientsreceiving tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily demonstrated greater improvement from baseline compared toplacebo in the SF-36v2 physical functioning domain, the SF-36v2 physical component summaryscore, and FACIT-F scores at month 3 in studies OPAL BROADEN and OPAL BEYOND (nominalp≤ 0.05). Improvements from baseline in SF-36v2 and FACIT-F were maintained through month 6(OPAL BROADEN and OPAL BEYOND) and month 12 (OPAL BROADEN).
Patients receiving tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily demonstrated a greater improvement in arthritis pain (asmeasured on a 0-100 visual analogue scale) from baseline at week 2 (first post-baseline assessment)through month 3 compared to placebo in studies OPAL BROADEN and OPAL BEYOND (nominalp≤ 0.05).
Ankylosing spondylitisThe tofacitinib clinical development program to assess the efficacy and safety included oneplacebo-controlled confirmatory trial (Study AS-I). Study AS-I was a randomised, double-blind,placebo-controlled, 48-week treatment clinical study in 269 adult patients who had an inadequateresponse (inadequate clinical response or intolerance) to at least 2 NSAIDs. Patients were randomisedand treated with tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily or placebo for 16 weeks of blinded treatment and then allwere advanced to tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily for an additional 32 weeks. Patients had active diseaseas defined by both Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and back painscore (BASDAI question 2) of greater or equal to 4 despite non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug(NSAID), corticosteroid or DMARD therapy.
Approximately 7% and 21% of patients used concomitant methotrexate or sulfasalazine, respectively,from baseline to Week 16. Patients were allowed to receive a stable low dose of oral corticosteroids(8.6% received) and/or NSAIDs (81.8% received) from baseline to Week 48. Twenty-two percent ofpatients had an inadequate response to 1 or 2 TNF blockers. The primary endpoint was to evaluate theproportion of patients who achieved an ASAS20 response at Week 16.
Clinical responsePatients treated with tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily achieved greater improvements in ASAS20 and
ASAS40 responses compared to placebo at Week 16 (Table 19). The responses were maintained from
Week 16 through to Week 48 in patients receiving tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily.
Table 19: ASAS20 and ASAS40 Responses at Week 16, Study AS-I
Placebo Tofacitinib 5 mg Difference from Placebo(N=136) Twice Daily (95% CI)(N=133)
ASAS20 response*, % 29 56 27 (16, 38)**
ASAS40 response*, % 13 41 28 (18, 38)**
* type I error-controlled.
** p < 0.0001.
The efficacy of tofacitinib was demonstrated in bDMARD naïve and TNF-inadequate responders(IR)/bDMARD experienced (non-IR) patients (Table 20).
Table 20. ASAS20 and ASAS40 Responses (%) by Treatment History at Week 16, Study AS-I
Prior Treatment Efficacy Endpoint
History ASAS20 ASAS40
Placebo Tofacitinib Difference Placebo Tofacitini Difference
N 5 mg from Placebo N b 5 mg from Placebo
Twice (95% CI) Twice (95% CI)
Daily Daily
N NbDMARD-Naïve 105 102 28 105 102 31(15, 41) (19, 43)
TNFi-IR or 31 31 23 31 31 19bDMARD Use (1, 44) (2, 37)(Non-IR)
ASAS20 = An improvement from Baseline ≥ 20% and ≥ 1 unit increase in at least 3 domains on a scale of 0 to 10, and noworsening of ≥ 20% and ≥ 1 unit in the remaining domain; ASAS40 = An improvement from Baseline ≥ 40% and≥ 2 units in at least 3 domains on a scale of 0 to 10 and no worsening at all in the remaining domain; bDMARD = biologicdisease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug; CI = confidence interval; Non-IR = non-inadequate response; TNFi-IR = tumournecrosis factor inhibitor inadequate response.
The improvements in the components of the ASAS response and other measures of disease activitywere higher in tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily compared to placebo at Week 16 as shown in Table 21.
The improvements were maintained from Week 16 through to Week 48 in patients receivingtofacitinib 5 mg twice daily.
Table 21: ASAS Components and Other Measures of Disease Activity at Week 16, Study AS-I
Placebo Tofacitinib 5 mg Twice Daily(N=136) (N=133)
Baseline Week 16 Baseline Week 16 Difference(mean) (LSM change (mean) (LSM change from Placebofrom from (95% CI)
Baseline) Baseline)
ASAS Components Patient Global 7.0 -0.9 6.9 -2.5 -1.6
Assessment of (-2.07, -1.05)**
Disease Activity(0-10)a,* Total spinal pain 6.9 -1.0 6.9 -2.6 -1.6(0-10)a,* (-2.10, -1.14)** BASFI 5.9 -0.8 5.8 -2.0 -1.2(0-10)b,* (-1.66, -0.80)** Inflammation 6.8 -1.0 6.6 -2.7 -1.7(0-10)c,* (-2.18, -1.25)**
BASDAI Scored 6.5 -1.1 6.4 -2.6 -1.4(-1.88, -1.00)**
BASMIe,* 4.4 -0.1 4.5 -0.6 -0.5(-0.67, -0.37)**hsCRPf,* (mg/dL) 1.8 -0.1 1.6 -1.1 -1.0(-1.20, -0.72)**
ASDAScrpg,* 3.9 -0.4 3.8 -1.4 -1.0(-1.16, -0.79)**
* type I error-controlled.
** p < 0.0001.a Measured on a numerical rating scale with 0 = not active or no pain, 10 = very active or most severe pain.b Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index measured on a numerical rating scale with 0 = easy and 10 = impossible.c Inflammation is the mean of two patient-reported stiffness self-assessments in BASDAI.d Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index total score.e Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index.f High sensitivity C-reactive protein.g Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score with C-reactive protein.
LSM = least squares mean
Other health-related outcomes
Patients treated with tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily achieved greater improvements from baseline in
Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQoL) (-4.0 vs -2.0) and Functional Assessment of Chronic
Illness Therapy - Fatigue (FACIT-F) Total score (6.5 vs 3.1) compared to placebo-treated patients at
Week 16 (p<0.001). Patients treated with tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily achieved consistently greaterimprovements from baseline in the Short Form health survey version 2 (SF-36v2), Physical
Component Summary (PCS) domain compared to placebo-treated patients at Week 16.
Ulcerative colitisThe efficacy and safety of tofacitinib film-coated tablets for the treatment of adult patients withmoderately to severely active UC (Mayo score 6 to 12 with endoscopy subscore ≥ 2 and rectalbleeding subscore ≥ 1) were assessed in 3 multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlledstudies: 2 identical induction studies (OCTAVE Induction 1 and OCTAVE Induction 2) followed by1 maintenance study (OCTAVE Sustain). Enrolled patients had failed at least 1 conventional therapy,including corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and/or a TNF inhibitor. Concomitant stable doses oforal aminosalicylates and corticosteroids (prednisone or equivalent daily dose up to 25 mg) werepermitted with taper of corticosteroids to discontinuation mandated within 15 weeks of entering themaintenance study. Tofacitinib was administered as monotherapy (i.e., without concomitant use ofbiologics and immunosuppressants) for UC.
Table 22 provides additional information regarding pertinent study design and populationcharacteristics.
Table 22: Phase 3 clinical studies of tofacitinib 5 mg and 10 mg twice daily doses in patients with
U C
OCTAVE Induction 1 OCTAVE Induction 2 OCTAVE Sustain
Treatment groups Tofacitinib 10 mg Tofacitinib 10 mg Tofacitinib 5 mg(randomisation twice daily twice daily twice dailyratio) placebo placebo Tofacitinib 10 mg(4:1) (4:1) twice dailyplacebo(1:1:1)
Number of patients 598 541 593enrolled
Study duration 8 weeks 8 weeks 52 weeks
Primary efficacy Remission Remission Remissionendpoint
Key secondary Improvement of Improvement of Improvement of endoscopicefficacy endpoints endoscopic appearance endoscopic appearance appearance of the mucosaof the mucosa of the mucosa
Sustained corticosteroid-free remission amongpatients in remission atbaseline
Prior TNFi failure 51.3% 52.1% 44.7%
Prior corticosteroid 74.9% 71.3% 75.0%failure
Prior 74.1% 69.5% 69.6%immunosuppressantfailure
Baseline 45.5% 46.8% 50.3%corticosteroid use
Abbreviations: TNFi=tumour necrosis factor inhibitor; UC=ulcerative colitis.
In addition, safety and efficacy of tofacitinib were assessed in an open-label long-term extension study(OCTAVE Open). Patients who completed 1 of the induction studies (OCTAVE Induction 1 or
OCTAVE Induction 2) but did not achieve clinical response or patients who completed or withdrewearly due to treatment failure in the maintenance study (OCTAVE Sustain) were eligible for OCTAVE
Open. Patients from OCTAVE Induction 1 or OCTAVE Induction 2 who did not achieve clinicalresponse after 8 weeks in OCTAVE Open were to be discontinued from OCTAVE Open.
Corticosteroid tapering was also required upon entrance into OCTAVE Open.
Induction efficacy data (OCTAVE Induction 1 and OCTAVE Induction 2)
The primary endpoint of OCTAVE Induction 1 and OCTAVE Induction 2 was the proportion ofpatients in remission at week 8, and the key secondary endpoint was the proportion of patients withimprovement of endoscopic appearance of the mucosa at week 8. Remission was defined as clinicalremission (a total Mayo score ≤ 2 with no individual subscore > 1) and rectal bleeding subscore of 0.
Improvement of endoscopic appearance of the mucosa was defined as endoscopy subscore of 0 or 1.
A significantly greater proportion of patients treated with tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily achievedremission, improvement of endoscopic appearance of the mucosa, and clinical response at week 8compared to placebo in both studies, as shown in Table 23.
The efficacy results based on the endoscopic readings at the study sites were consistent with the resultsbased on the central endoscopy readings.
Table 23: Proportion of patients meeting efficacy endpoints at week 8 (OCTAVE inductionstudy 1 and OCTAVE induction study 2)
OCTAVE induction study 1
Central endoscopy read Local endoscopy read
Endpoint Placebo Tofacitinib Placebo Tofacitinib10 mg 10 mgtwice daily twice daily
N=122 N=476 N=122 N=476
Remissiona 8.2% 18.5%‡ 11.5% 24.8%‡
Improvement of endoscopic 15.6% 31.3%† 23.0% 42.4%*appearance of the mucosab
Normalisation of endoscopic 1.6% 6.7%‡ 2.5% 10.9%‡appearance of the mucosac
Clinical responsed 32.8% 59.9%* 34.4% 60.7%*
OCTAVE induction study 2
Central endoscopy read Local endoscopy read
Endpoint Placebo Tofacitinib Placebo Tofacitinib10 mg 10 mgtwice daily twice daily
N=112 N=429 N=112 N=429
Remissiona 3.6% 16.6%† 5.4% 20.7%†
Improvement of endoscopic 11.6% 28.4%† 15.2% 36.4%*appearance of the mucosab
Normalisation of endoscopic 1.8% 7.0%‡ 0.0% 9.1%‡appearance of the mucosac
Clinical responsed 28.6% 55.0%* 29.5% 58.0%*
* p<0.0001; † p<0.001; ‡ p<0.05.
N=number of patients in the analysis set.
a. Primary endpoint: Remission was defined as clinical remission (a Mayo score ≤ 2 with no individual subscore > 1) andrectal bleeding subscore of 0.
b. Key secondary endpoint: Improvement of endoscopic appearance of the mucosa was defined as Mayo endoscopysubscore of 0 (normal or inactive disease) or 1 (erythema, decreased vascular pattern).
c. Normalisation of endoscopic appearance of the mucosa was defined as a Mayo endoscopic subscore of 0.
d. Clinical response was defined as a decrease from baseline in Mayo score of ≥ 3 points and ≥ 30%, with anaccompanying decrease in the subscore for rectal bleeding of ≥ 1 point or absolute subscore for rectal bleeding of 0 or 1.
In both subgroups of patients with or without prior TNF inhibitor failure, a greater proportion ofpatients treated with tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily achieved remission and improvement of endoscopicappearance of the mucosa at week 8 as compared to placebo. This treatment difference was consistentbetween the 2 subgroups (Table 24).
Table 24. Proportion of patients meeting primary and key secondary efficacy endpoints atweek 8 by TNF inhibitor therapy subgroups (OCTAVE induction study 1 and
OCTAVE induction study 2, central endoscopy read)
OCTAVE induction study 1
Endpoint Placebo Tofacitinib 10 mg
N=122 twice daily
N=476
Remissiona
With prior TNF inhibitor failure 1.6% 11.1%(1/64) (27/243)
Without prior TNF inhibitor failureb 15.5% 26.2%(9/58) (61/233)
Improvement of endoscopic appearance of the mucosac
With prior TNF inhibitor failure 6.3% 22.6%(4/64) (55/243)
Without prior TNF inhibitor failureb 25.9% 40.3%(15/58) (94/233)
OCTAVE induction study 2
Endpoint Placebo Tofacitinib 10 mg
N=112 twice daily
N=429
Remissiona
With prior TNF inhibitor failure 0.0% 11.7%(0/60) (26/222)
Without prior TNF inhibitor failureb 7.7% 21.7%(4/52) (45/207)
Improvement of endoscopic appearance of the mucosac
With prior TNF inhibitor failure 6.7% 21.6%(4/60) (48/222)
Without prior TNF inhibitor failureb 17.3% 35.7%(9/52) (74/207)
TNF=tumour necrosis factor; N=number of patients in the analysis set.
a. Remission was defined as clinical remission (a Mayo score ≤ 2 with no individual subscore > 1) and rectal bleedingsubscore of 0.
b. Included TNF Inhibitor naïve patients
c. Improvement of endoscopic appearance of the mucosa was defined as Mayo endoscopy subscore of 0 (normal orinactive disease) or 1 (erythema, decreased vascular pattern).
As early as week 2, the earliest scheduled study visit, and at each visit thereafter, significantdifferences were observed between tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily and placebo in the change frombaseline in rectal bleeding and stool frequency, and partial Mayo score.
Maintenance (OCTAVE Sustain)
Patients who completed 8 weeks in 1 of the induction studies and achieved clinical response werere-randomised into OCTAVE Sustain; 179 out of 593 (30.2%) patients were in remission at baselineof OCTAVE Sustain.
The primary endpoint in OCTAVE Sustain was the proportion of patients in remission at week 52.
The 2 key secondary endpoints were the proportion of patients with improvement of endoscopicappearance at week 52, and the proportion of patients with sustained corticosteroid-free remission atboth week 24 and week 52 among patients in remission at baseline of OCTAVE Sustain.
A significantly greater proportion of patients in both the tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily and tofacitinib10 mg twice daily treatment groups achieved the following endpoints at week 52 as compared toplacebo: remission, improvement of endoscopic appearance of the mucosa, normalisation ofendoscopic appearance of the mucosa, maintenance of clinical response, remission among patients inremission at baseline, and sustained corticosteroid-free remission at both week 24 and week 52 amongpatients in remission at baseline, as shown in Table 25.
Table 25: Proportion of patients meeting efficacy endpoints at week 52 (OCTAVE sustain)
Central endoscopy read Local endoscopy read
Endpoint Placebo Tofacitinib Tofacitinib Placebo Tofacitinib Tofacitinib
N=198 5 mg 10 mg N=198 5 mg 10 mgtwice daily twice daily twice daily twice daily
N=198 N=197 N=198 N=197
Remissiona 11.1% 34.3%* 40.6%* 13.1% 39.4%* 47.7%*
Improvement of 13.1% 37.4%* 45.7%* 15.7% 44.9%* 53.8%*endoscopicappearance of themucosab
Normalisation of 4.0% 14.6%** 16.8%* 5.6% 22.2%* 29.4%*endoscopicappearance of themucosac
Maintenance of 20.2% 51.5%* 61.9%* 20.7% 51.0%* 61.4%*clinical responsed
Remission among 10.2% 46.2%* 56.4%* 11.9% 50.8%* 65.5%*patients in remissionat baselinea,f
Sustained 5.1% 35.4%* 47.3%* 11.9% 47.7%* 58.2%*corticosteroid-freeremission at bothweek 24 andweek 52 amongpatients in remissionat baselinee,f
Corticosteroid-free 10.9% 27.7%† 27.6%† 13.9% 32.7%† 31.0%†remission amongpatients takingcorticosteroids atbaselinea,g
* p<0.0001; **p<0.001; †p<0.05 for tofacitinib versus placebo.
N=number of patients in the analysis set.
a. Remission was defined as clinical remission (a Mayo score ≤ 2 with no individual subscore > 1) and rectal bleedingsubscore of 0.
b. Improvement of endoscopic appearance of the mucosa was defined as Mayo endoscopy subscore of 0 (normal orinactive disease) or 1 (erythema, decreased vascular pattern).
c. Normalisation of endoscopic appearance of the mucosa was defined as a Mayo endoscopic subscore of 0.
d. Maintenance of clinical response was defined by a decrease from the induction study (OCTAVE Induction 1, OCTAVE
Induction 2) baseline Mayo score of ≥ 3 points and ≥ 30%, with an accompanying decrease in the rectal bleedingsubscore of ≥ 1 point or rectal bleeding subscore of 0 or 1. Patients were to be in clinical response at baseline of themaintenance study OCTAVE Sustain.
e. Sustained corticosteroid-free remission was defined as being in remission and not taking corticosteroids for at least4 weeks prior to the visit at both week 24 and week 52.
f. N=59 for placebo, N=65 for tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily, N=55 for tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily.g. N=101 for placebo, N=101 for tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily, N=87 for tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily.
In both subgroups of patients with or without prior TNF inhibitor failure, a greater proportion ofpatients treated with either tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily or tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily achieved thefollowing endpoints at week 52 of OCTAVE Sustain as compared to placebo: remission, improvementof endoscopic appearance of the mucosa, or sustained corticosteroid-free remission at both week 24and week 52 among patients in remission at baseline (Table 26). This treatment difference fromplacebo was similar between tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily and tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily in thesubgroup of patients without prior TNF inhibitor failure. In the subgroup of patients with prior TNFinhibitor failure, the observed treatment difference from placebo was numerically greater fortofacitinib 10 mg twice daily than tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily by 9.7 to 16.7 percentage points acrossthe primary and key secondary endpoints.
Table 26: Proportion of patients meeting primary and key secondary efficacy endpoints atweek 52 by TNF inhibitor therapy subgroup (OCTAVE sustain, central endoscopyread)
Endpoint Placebo Tofacitinib Tofacitinib
N=198 5 mg 10 mgtwice daily twice daily
N=198 N=197
Remissiona
With prior TNF inhibitor failure 10/89 20/83 34/93(11.2%) (24.1%) (36.6%)
Without prior TNF inhibitor failureb 12/109 48/115 46/104(11.0%) (41.7%) (44.2%)
Improvement of endoscopic appearance of the mucosac
With prior TNF inhibitor failure 11/89 25/83 37/93(12.4%) (30.1%) (39.8%)
Without prior TNF inhibitor failureb 15/109 49/115 53/104(13.8%) (42.6%) (51.0%)
Sustained corticosteroid-free remission at both week 24 and week 52 among patients in remission atbaselined
With prior TNF inhibitor failure 1/21 4/18 7/18(4.8%) (22.2%) (38.9%)
Without prior TNF inhibitor failureb 2/38 19/47 19/37(5.3%) (40.4%) (51.4%)
TNF=tumour necrosis factor; N=number of patients in the analysis set.
a. Remission was defined as clinical remission (a Mayo score ≤ 2 with no individual subscore > 1) and rectal bleedingsubscore of 0.
b. Included TNF Inhibitor naïve patients.
c. Improvement of endoscopic appearance of the mucosa was defined as Mayo endoscopy subscore of 0 (normal orinactive disease) or 1 (erythema, decreased vascular pattern).
d. Sustained corticosteroid-free remission was defined as being in remission and not taking corticosteroids for at least4 weeks prior to the visit at both week 24 and week 52.
The proportion of patients in both tofacitinib groups who had treatment failure was lower compared toplacebo at each time point as early as week 8, the first time point where treatment failure was assessed,as shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2. Time to treatment failure in maintenance study OCTAVE sustain (Kaplan-Meier
Curves)p<0.0001 for tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily versus placebo.p<0.0001 for tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily versus placebo.
BID=twice daily.
Treatment failure was defined as an increase in Mayo score of ≥ 3 points from maintenance study baseline, accompanied byan increase in rectal bleeding subscore by ≥ 1 point, and an increase of endoscopic subscore of ≥ 1 point yielding an absoluteendoscopic subscore of ≥ 2 after a minimum treatment of 8 weeks in the study.
Health-related and quality of life outcomes
Tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily demonstrated greater improvement from baseline compared to placeboin physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores, and in all8 domains of the SF-36 in the induction studies (OCTAVE Induction 1, OCTAVE Induction 2). In themaintenance study (OCTAVE Sustain), tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily or tofacitinib 10 mg twice dailydemonstrated greater maintenance of improvement compared to placebo in PCS and MCS scores, andin all 8 domains of the SF-36 at week 24 and week 52.
Tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily demonstrated greater improvement from baseline compared to placeboat week 8 in the total and all 4 domain scores of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire(IBDQ) (bowel symptoms, systemic function, emotional function, and social function) in the inductionstudies (OCTAVE Induction 1, OCTAVE Induction 2). In the maintenance study (OCTAVE Sustain),tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily or tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily demonstrated greater maintenance ofimprovement compared to placebo in the total and all 4 domain scores of the IBDQ at week 24 andweek 52.
Improvements were also observed in the EuroQoL 5-Dimension (EQ-5D) and various domains of the
Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI-UC) questionnaire in both induction andmaintenance studies compared to placebo.
Open-label extension study (OCTAVE Open)
Patients who did not achieve clinical response in one of the induction studies (OCTAVE Induction 1or OCTAVE Induction 2) after 8 weeks of tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily were allowed to enter anopen-label extension study (OCTAVE Open). After an additional 8 weeks of tofacitinib 10 mg twicedaily in OCTAVE Open, 53% (154/293) patients achieved clinical response and 14% (42/293) patientsachieved remission.
Patients who achieved clinical response in 1 of the induction studies (OCTAVE Induction 1 or
OCTAVE Induction 2) with tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily but experienced treatment failure after theirdose was reduced to tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily or following treatment interruption in OCTAVE
Sustain (i.e., were randomised to placebo), had their dose increased to tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily in
OCTAVE Open. After 8 weeks on tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily in OCTAVE Open, remission wasachieved in 35% (20/58) patients who received tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily in OCTAVE Sustain and40% (40/99) patients with dose interruption in OCTAVE Sustain. At month 12 in OCTAVE Open,52% (25/48) and 45% (37/83) of these patients achieved remission, respectively.
Furthermore, at month 12 of study OCTAVE Open, 74% (48/65) of patients who achieved remissionat the end of study OCTAVE Sustain on either tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily or tofacitinib 10 mg twicedaily remained in remission while receiving tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily.
Paediatric populationThe European Medicines Agency has deferred the obligation to submit results of studies withtofacitinib in one or more subsets of the paediatric population in other rarer types of juvenileidiopathic arthritis and in ulcerative colitis (see section 4.2 for information on paediatric use).
Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis and juvenile PsAThe tofacitinib Phase 3 program for JIA consisted of one completed Phase 3 trial (Study JIA-I[A3921104]) and one ongoing long-term extension (LTE) (A3921145) trial. In these studies thefollowing JIA subgroups were included: patients with either RF+ or RF- polyarthritis, extendedoligoarthritis, systemic JIA with active arthritis and no current systemic symptoms (referred as pJIAdataset) and two separate subgroups of patients with juvenile PsA and enthesitis-related arthritis(ERA). However, the pJIA efficacy population only includes the subgroups with either RF+ or RF-polyarthritis or extended oligoarthritis; inconclusive results have been seen in the subgroup of patientswith systemic JIA with active arthritis and no current systemic symptoms. Patients with juvenile PsAare included as separate efficacy subgroup. ERA patients are not included in the efficacy analysis.
All eligible patients in Study JIA-I received open-label tofacitinib 5 mg film-coated tablets twice dailyor tofacitinib oral solution weight-based equivalent twice daily for 18 weeks (run-in phase); patientswho achieved at least a JIA ACR30 response at the end of the open-label phase were randomised (1:1)to either active tofacitinib 5 mg film-coated tablets or tofacitinib oral solution, or placebo in the26-week double-blind, placebo-controlled phase. Patients who did not achieve a JIA ACR30 responseat the end of the open-label run-in phase or experienced a single episode of disease flare at any timewere discontinued from the study. A total of 225 patients were enrolled in the open-label run-in phase.
Of these, 173 (76.9%) patients were eligible to be randomised into the double-blind phase to eitheractive tofacitinib 5 mg film-coated tablets or tofacitinib oral solution weight-based equivalent twicedaily (n=88) or placebo (n=85). There were 58 (65.9%) patients in the tofacitinib group and58 (68.2%) patients in the placebo group taking MTX during the double-blind phase, which waspermitted but not required per the protocol.
There were 133 patients with pJIA [RF+ or RF- polyarthritis and extended oligoarthritis] and 15 withjuvenile PsA randomised into the double-blind phase of the study and included in the efficacy analysespresented below.
Signs and symptoms
A significantly smaller proportion of patients with pJIA in Study JIA-I treated with tofacitinib 5 mgfilm-coated tablets twice daily or tofacitinib oral solution weight-based equivalent twice daily flared at
Week 44 compared with patients treated with placebo. A significantly greater proportion of patientswith pJIA treated with tofacitinib 5 mg film-coated tablets or tofacitinib oral solution achieved JIA
ACR30, 50, and 70 responses compared to patients treated with placebo at Week 44 (Table 27).
The occurrence of disease flare and JIA ACR30/50/70 results were favourable to tofacitinib 5 mgtwice daily in comparison to placebo across the RF+ polyarthritis, RF- polyarthritis, extendedoligoarthritis, and jPsA JIA subtypes and were consistent with those for the overall study population.
The occurrence of disease flare and JIA ACR30/50/70 results were favourable to tofacitinib 5 mgtwice daily in comparison to placebo for pJIA patients who received tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily withconcomitant MTX use on Day 1 [n=101 (76%)] and those who were on tofacitinib monotherapy [n=32(24%)]. In addition, the occurrence of disease flare and JIA ACR30/50/70 results were also favourableto tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily compared to placebo for pJIA patients who had prior bDMARDexperience [n=39 (29%)] and those who were bDMARD naïve [n=94 (71%)].
In Study JIA-I at Week 2 of the open-label run-in phase, the JIA ACR30 response in patients withpJIA was 45.03%.
Table 27: Primary and secondary efficacy endpoints in patients with pJIA at Week 44* in Study
JIA-I (all p-values<0.05)
Primary endpoint Difference (%) from(Type I error controlled) Treatment group Occurrence rate placebo (95% CI)
Occurrence of disease flare Tofacitinib 5 mg 28% -24.7 (-40.8, -8.5)
Twice Daily(N=67)
Placebo 53%(N=66)
Secondary endpoints Response Difference (%) from(Type I error controlled) Treatment group rate placebo (95% CI)
JIA ACR30 Tofacitinib 5 mg 72% 24.7 (8.50, 40.8)
Twice Daily(N=67)
Placebo 47%(N=66)
JIA ACR50 Tofacitinib 5 mg 67% 20.2 (3.72, 36.7)
Twice Daily(N=67)
Placebo 47%(N=66)
JIA ACR70 Tofacitinib 5 mg 55% 17.4 (0.65, 34.0)
Twice Daily(N=67)
Placebo 38%(N=66)
Secondary endpoint Difference from placebo(Type I error controlled) Treatment group LS mean (SEM) (95% CI)
Change from Double-Blind Tofacitinib 5 mg -0.11 (0.04) -0.11 (-0.22, -0.01)
Baseline in CHAQ Twice Daily
Disability Index (N=67; n=46)
Placebo 0.00 (0.04)(N=66; n=31)
ACR = American College of Rheumatology; CHAQ = childhood health assessment questionnaire; CI = confidenceinterval; LS = least squares; n = number of patients with observations at the visit; N = total number of patients; JIA =juvenile idiopathic arthritis; SEM = standard error of the mean
* The 26-week double-blind phase is from Week 18 through Week 44 on and after randomisation day.
The Type-I error-controlled endpoints are tested in this order: Disease Flare, JIA ACR50, JIA ACR30, JIA ACR70,
CHAQ Disability Index.
In the double-blind phase, each of the components of the JIA ACR response showed greaterimprovement from the open-label baseline (Day 1) at Week 24, and Week 44 for patients with pJIAtreated with tofacitinib oral solution dosed as 5 mg twice daily or weight-based equivalent twice dailycompared with those receiving placebo in Study JIA-I.
Physical function and health-related quality of lifeChanges in physical function in Study JIA-I were measured by the CHAQ Disability Index. The meanchange from the double-blind baseline in CHAQ-Disability Index in patients with pJIA wassignificantly lower in the tofacitinib 5 mg film-coated tablets twice daily or tofacitinib oral solutionweight-based equivalent twice daily compared to placebo at Week 44 (Table 27). The mean changefrom the double-blind baseline in CHAQ Disability Index results were favourable to tofacitinib 5 mgtwice daily in comparison to placebo across the RF+ polyarthritis, RF- polyarthritis, extendedoligoarthritis, and jPsA JIA subtypes and were consistent with those for the overall study population.
5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
The PK profile of tofacitinib is characterised by rapid absorption (peak plasma concentrations arereached within 0.5-1 hour), rapid elimination (half-life of ~3 hours) and dose-proportional increases insystemic exposure. Steady state concentrations are achieved in 24-48 hours with negligibleaccumulation after twice daily administration.
Absorption and distributionTofacitinib is well-absorbed, with an oral bioavailability of 74%. Coadministration of tofacitinib witha high-fat meal resulted in no changes in AUC while Cmax was reduced by 32%. In clinical studies,tofacitinib was administered without regard to meal.
After intravenous administration, the volume of distribution is 87 L. Approximately 40% ofcirculating tofacitinib is bound to plasma proteins. Tofacitinib binds predominantly to albumin anddoes not appear to bind to 1-acid glycoprotein. Tofacitinib distributes equally between red bloodcells and plasma.
Biotransformation and eliminationClearance mechanisms for tofacitinib are approximately 70% hepatic metabolism and 30% renalexcretion of the parent drug. The metabolism of tofacitinib is primarily mediated by CYP3A4 withminor contribution from CYP2C19. In a human radiolabelled study, more than 65% of the totalcirculating radioactivity was accounted for by unchanged active substance, with the remaining 35%attributed to 8 metabolites, each accounting for less than 8% of total radioactivity. All metaboliteshave been observed in animal species and are predicted to have less than 10-fold potency thantofacitinib for JAK1/3 inhibition. No evidence of stereo conversion in human samples was detected.
The pharmacologic activity of tofacitinib is attributed to the parent molecule. In vitro, tofacitinib is asubstrate for MDR1, but not for breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), OATP1B1/1B3, or OCT1/2.
Pharmacokinetics in patients
The enzymatic activity of CYP enzymes is reduced in RA patients due to chronic inflammation. In RApatients, the oral clearance of tofacitinib does not vary with time, indicating that treatment withtofacitinib does not normalise CYP enzyme activity.
Population PK analysis in RA patients indicated that systemic exposure (AUC) of tofacitinib in theextremes of body weight (40 kg, 140 kg) were similar (within 5%) to that of a 70 kg patient. Elderlypatients 80 years of age were estimated to have less than 5% higher AUC relative to the mean age of55 years. Women were estimated to have 7% lower AUC compared to men. The available data havealso shown that there are no major differences in tofacitinib AUC between White, Black and Asianpatients. An approximate linear relationship between body weight and volume of distribution wasobserved, resulting in higher peak (Cmax) and lower trough (Cmin) concentrations in lighter patients.
However, this difference is not considered to be clinically relevant. The between-subject variability(percentage coefficient of variation) in AUC of tofacitinib is estimated to be approximately 27%.
Results from population PK analysis in patients with active PsA, moderate to severe UC or AS wereconsistent with those in patients with RA.
Renal impairmentSubjects with mild (creatinine clearance 50-80 mL/min), moderate (creatinine clearance30-49 mL/min), and severe (creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min) renal impairment had 37%, 43% and123% higher AUC, respectively, compared to subjects with normal renal function (see section 4.2). Insubjects with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), contribution of dialysis to the total clearance oftofacitinib was relatively small. Following a single dose of 10 mg, mean AUC in subjects with ESRDbased on concentrations measured on a non-dialysis day was approximately 40% (90% confidenceintervals: 1.5-95%) higher compared to subjects with normal renal function. In clinical studies,tofacitinib was not evaluated in patients with baseline creatinine clearance values (estimated by
Cockcroft-Gault equation) less than 40 mL/min (see section 4.2).
Hepatic impairmentSubjects with mild (Child Pugh A) and moderate (Child Pugh B) hepatic impairment had 3%, and65% higher AUC, respectively, compared to subjects with normal hepatic function. In clinical studies,tofacitinib was not evaluated in subjects with severe (Child Pugh C) hepatic impairment (seesections 4.2 and 4.4), or in patients screened positive for hepatitis B or C.
InteractionsTofacitinib is not an inhibitor or inducer of CYPs (CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19,
CYP2D6, and CYP3A4) and is not an inhibitor of UGTs (UGT1A1, UGT1A4, UGT1A6, UGT1A9,and UGT2B7). Tofacitinib is not an inhibitor of MDR1, OATP1B1/1B3, OCT2, OAT1/3, or MRP atclinically meaningful concentrations.
Comparison of PK of prolonged-release and film-coated tablet formulations
Tofacitinib 11 mg prolonged-release tablets once daily have demonstrated PK equivalence (AUC and
Cmax) to tofacitinib 5 mg film-coated tablets twice daily.
Paediatric populationPharmacokinetics in paediatric patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritisPopulation PK analysis based on results from both tofacitinib 5 mg film-coated tablets twice daily andtofacitinib oral solution weight-based equivalent twice daily indicated that tofacitinib clearance andvolume of distribution both decreased with decreasing body weight in JIA patients. The available dataindicated that there were no clinically relevant differences in tofacitinib exposure (AUC), based onage, race, gender, patient type or baseline disease severity. The between-subject variability(% coefficient of variation) in (AUC) was estimated to be approximately 24%.
5.3 Preclinical safety data
In non-clinical studies, effects were observed on the immune and haematopoietic systems that wereattributed to the pharmacological properties (JAK inhibition) of tofacitinib. Secondary effects fromimmunosuppression, such as bacterial and viral infections and lymphoma were observed at clinicallyrelevant doses. Lymphoma was observed in 3 of 8 adult monkeys at 6 or 3 times the clinical tofacitinibexposure level (unbound AUC in humans at a dose of 5 mg or 10 mg twice daily), and 0 of 14 juvenilemonkeys at 5 or 2.5 times the clinical exposure level of 5 mg or 10 mg twice daily. Exposure inmonkeys at the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) for the lymphomas was approximately 1 or0.5 times the clinical exposure level of 5 mg or 10 mg twice daily. Other findings at doses exceedinghuman exposures included effects on the hepatic and gastrointestinal systems.
Tofacitinib is not mutagenic or genotoxic based on the results of a series of in vitro and in vivo testsfor gene mutations and chromosomal aberrations.
The carcinogenic potential of tofacitinib was assessed in 6-month rasH2 transgenic mousecarcinogenicity and 2-year rat carcinogenicity studies. Tofacitinib was not carcinogenic in mice atexposures up to 38 or 19 times the clinical exposure level at 5 mg or 10 mg twice daily. Benigntesticular interstitial (Leydig) cell tumours were observed in rats: benign Leydig cell tumours in ratsare not associated with a risk of Leydig cell tumours in humans. Hibernomas (malignancy of brownadipose tissue) were observed in female rats at exposures greater than or equal to 83 or 41 times theclinical exposure level at 5 mg or 10 mg twice daily. Benign thymomas were observed in female ratsat 187 or 94 times the clinical exposure level at 5 mg or 10 mg twice daily.
Tofacitinib was shown to be teratogenic in rats and rabbits, and have effects in rats on female fertility(decreased pregnancy rate; decreases in the numbers of corpora lutea, implantation sites, and viablefoetuses; and an increase in early resorptions), parturition, and peri/postnatal development. Tofacitinibhad no effects on male fertility, sperm motility or sperm concentration. Tofacitinib was secreted inmilk of lactating rats at concentrations approximately 2-fold those in serum from 1 to 8 hourspostdose. In studies conducted in juvenile rats and monkeys, there were no tofacitinib-related effectson bone development in males or females, at exposures similar to those achieved at approved doses inhumans.
No tofacitinib-related findings were observed in juvenile animal studies that indicate a highersensitivity of paediatric populations compared with adults. In the juvenile rat fertility study, there wasno evidence of developmental toxicity, no effects on sexual maturation, and no evidence ofreproductive toxicity (mating and fertility) was noted after sexual maturity. In 1-month juvenile ratand 39-week juvenile monkey studies tofacitinib-related effects on immune and haematologyparameters consistent with JAK1/3 and JAK2 inhibition were observed. These effects were reversibleand consistent with those also observed in adult animals at similar exposures.
6. PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS
6.1 List of excipients
Tablet coremicrocrystalline celluloselactose monohydratecroscarmellose sodiummagnesium stearate
Film coathypromellose 6cP (E464)titanium dioxide (E171)lactose monohydratemacrogol 3350triacetin
FD&C Blue #2/Indigo Carmine Aluminum Lake (E132) (10 mg strength only)
FD&C Blue #1/Brilliant Blue FCF Aluminum Lake (E133) (10 mg strength only)
6.2 Incompatibilities
6.3 Shelf life
6.4 Special precautions for storage
This medicinal product does not require any special temperature storage conditions.
Store in the original package in order to protect from moisture.
6.5 Nature and contents of container
XELJANZ 5 mg film-coated tablets
HDPE bottles with silica gel desiccant and child-resistant polypropylene closure containing 60 or180 film-coated tablets.
Aluminium foil/PVC backed aluminium foil blisters containing 14 film-coated tablets. Each packcontains 56, 112, or 182 film-coated tablets.
XELJANZ 10 mg film-coated tablets
HDPE bottles with silica gel desiccant and child-resistant polypropylene closure containing 60 or180 film-coated tablets.
Aluminium foil/PVC backed aluminium foil blisters containing 14 film-coated tablets. Each packcontains 56, 112, or 182 film-coated tablets.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
6.6 Special precautions for disposal and other handling
Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with localrequirements.
7. MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER
Pfizer Europe MA EEIG
Boulevard de la Plaine 171050 Bruxelles
Belgium
8. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)
EU/1/17/1178/001
EU/1/17/1178/002
EU/1/17/1178/003
EU/1/17/1178/004
EU/1/17/1178/005
EU/1/17/1178/006
EU/1/17/1178/007
EU/1/17/1178/008
EU/1/17/1178/009
EU/1/17/1178/014
9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION
Date of first authorisation: 22 March 2017
Date of renewal of the authorisation: 04 March 2022
10. DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT
Detailed information on this medicinal product is available on the website of the European Medicines
Agency https://www.ema.europa.eu.