Long-term inhibition of radiographic joint damage by tofacitinib monotherapy in rheumatoid arthritis patients with rapid radiographic progression about eight cases

Abstract

Eight rheumatoid arthritis patients with rapid radiographic progression [(RRP) baseline: mean yearly ΔmTSS (mTSS: modified total Sharp score) 16.5, mean yearly Δ joint erosion score 5.4, mean yearly Δjoint space narrowing score 11.1] and inadequate response to non-biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, who had completed a 3-month randomised study A39211040 (the 1040) were retrospectively investigated for the radiographic outcomes after tofacitinib (TOF) monotherapy. The patients used TOF 5 mg twice daily (BID) followed by TOF 10 mg BID over a 48-month long-term extension A39211041 (the 1041) study. Radiographic outcomes in hands and feet measured by mTSS in seven patients improved after 12 months and were sustained for 48 months. However, RRP was still observed in one patient, although yearly progression of mTSS improved. Radiographic outcomes in middle and large joints measured by Larsen score did not deteriorate in six patients during 48 months. Herpes zoster infections occurred 9, 30 and 39 months after 10 mg BID TOF prescription. No severe adverse events were observed during the study.

Keywords:

• Long-term results
• radiographic joint damage
• rapid radiographic progression
• rheumatoid arthritis
• tofacitinib

Patient consent

We have signed informed consents from all patients before submitting to Modern Rheumatology Case Reports.

Conflict of interest

None.