Phase II dose-response study of abatacept in Japanese patients with active rheumatoid arthritis with an inadequate response to methotrexate

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the response to abatacept at doses of 2 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg compared to placebo in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with an inadequate clinical response to methotrexate (MTX). Methods: In this multicenter, placebo-controlled, doubleblind, parallel-group, dose-response study, 195 Japanese patients with active RA with an inadequate response to MTX were randomized 1:1:1 to receive 10 mg/kg or 2 mg/ kg abatacept plus MTX, or placebo plus MTX, for 24 weeks. Results: Abatacept demonstrated a dose-response relationship when given at 2 and 10 mg/kg. Based on the American College of Rheumatology criteria (20, 50, and 70 %), the responses to 10 mg/kg abatacept were significantly greater than those to placebo at week 24 (p<0.001). Smaller yet statistically significant responses were also seen in the 2 mg/kg abatacept group. Overall rates of adverse events, serious adverse events, and treatment discontinuations because of adverse events were comparable in all three groups. Conclusions: Abatacept (2 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg) showed a dose-response relationship in Japanese patients with active RA with an inadequate clinical response to MTX. Administration of abatacept in combination with MTX for 24 weeks was well tolerated.