Efficacy and safety of an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (Reditux™) for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis following the failure of conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs

Rituximab (anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody) has shown to improve symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with inadequate response to conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARDs). An anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (Reditux (TM)) developed by Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, India, is currently approved for use both in rheumatology and oncology patients. This retrospective report evaluates the efficacy and safety data from the real-world use of Reditux (TM) over a 6-month period in Indian patients with RA. All consecutive moderate to severe RA patients who failed therapy with at least two DMARDs including methotrexate (MTX) for 6 months, TNF alpha inhibitor naive, and willing to take Reditux (TM) were included. They were prescribed two doses of 1 g Reditux (TM), at least 15 days apart, with continued stable doses of methotrexate. Efficacy and safety after 24 weeks relative to baseline was assessed using various health assessment variables. A total of 39 patients (mean age of 46 years; 67.5 % females) treated with Reditux (TM) were evaluated. Statistically significant differences were observed in mean changes of DAS28-CRP, DAS28-ESR, SDAI, HAQ and Patient Global Assessment scores from baseline to 24 weeks (p < 0.0001 for all). Average steroid use per week also significantly reduced at 24 weeks (p = 0.0002). There was no significant gender difference. Mean changes in SDAI, HAQ and Patient Global Assessment scores for patients on steroids were significantly different from those not on steroids (p < 0.05 for all). At 24 weeks, 97 % of patients achieved ACR20 response demonstrating the efficacy of Reditux (TM) treatment. The treatment was well tolerated by patients without any clinically relevant serious adverse events over 24 weeks. Though limited by number of patients and retrospective in nature, this analysis serves as a real-world evidence of efficacy and safety of Dr. Reddy's rituximab (Reditux (TM)) in the treatment of csDMARD-failed patients with RA over a 6-month period.