HUMIRA 40mg/0.8ml Solution for injection Ref.[7461] Active ingredients: Adalimumab

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Immunosuppressants, Tumour Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors
ATC code: L04AB04

Mechanism of action

Adalimumab binds specifically to TNF and neutralises the biological function of TNF by blocking its interaction with the p55 and p75 cell surface TNF receptors.

Adalimumab also modulates biological responses that are induced or regulated by TNF, including changes in the levels of adhesion molecules responsible for leukocyte migration (ELAM-1, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1 with an IC₅₀ of 0.1-0.2 nM).

Pharmacodynamic effects

After treatment with Humira, a rapid decrease in levels of acute phase reactants of inflammation (C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)) and serum cytokines (IL-6) was observed, compared to baseline in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Serum levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1 and MMP-3) that produce tissue remodelling responsible for cartilage destruction were also decreased after Humira administration. Patients treated with Humira usually experienced improvement in haematological signs of chronic inflammation.

A rapid decrease in CRP levels was also observed in patients with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and hidradenitis suppurativa after treatment with Humira. In patients with Crohn’s disease, a reduction of the number of cells expressing inflammatory markers in the colon including a significant reduction of expression of TNFα was seen. Endoscopic studies in intestinal mucosa have shown evidence of mucosal healing in adalimumab treated patients.

Clinical efficacy and safety

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)

Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA)

The safety and efficacy of Humira was assessed in two studies (pJIA I and II) in children with active polyarticular or polyarticular course juvenile idiopathic arthritis, who had a variety of JIA onset types (most frequently rheumatoid-factor negative or positive polyarthritis and extended oligoarthritis).

pJIA I:

The safety and efficacy of Humira were assessed in a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, parallel − group study in 171 children (4-17 years old) with polyarticular JIA. In the open-label lead in phase (OL LI) patients were stratified into two groups, MTX (methotrexate)-treated or non-MTX-treated. Patients who were in the non-MTX stratum were either naïve to or had been withdrawn from MTX at least two weeks prior to study drug administration. Patients remained on stable doses of NSAIDs and or prednisone (≤0.2 mg/kg/day or 10 mg/day maximum). In the OL LI phase all patients received 24 mg/m² up to a maximum of 40 mg Humira every other week for 16 weeks. The distribution of patients by age and minimum, median and maximum dose received during the OL LI phase is presented in Table 7.

Table 7. Distribution of patients by age and adalimumab dose received during the OL LI phase:

Patients demonstrating a Pediatric ACR 30 response at Week 16 were eligible to be randomised into the double blind (DB) phase and received either Humira 24 mg/m² up to a maximum of 40 mg, or placebo every other week for an additional 32 weeks or until disease flare. Disease flare criteria were defined as a worsening of ≥30% from baseline in ≥3 of 6 Pediatric ACR core criteria, ≥2 active joints, and improvement of >30% in no more than 1 of the 6 criteria. After 32 weeks or at disease flare, patients were eligible to enrol into the open label extension phase.

Table 8. Ped ACR 30 Responses in the JIA study:

^a Ped ACR 30/50/70 responses Week 48 significantly greater than those of placebo treated patients
^b p=0.015
^c p=0.031

Amongst those who responded at Week 16 (n=144), the Pediatric ACR 30/50/70/90 responses were maintained for up to six years in the OLE phase in patients who received Humira throughout the study. Over all 19 subjects, of which 11 of the baseline age group 4 to 12 and 8 of the baseline age group 13 to 17 years were treated 6 years or longer.

Overall responses were generally better and, fewer patients developed antibodies when treated with the combination of Humira and MTX compared to Humira alone. Taking these results into consideration, Humira is recommended for use in combination with MTX and for use as monotherapy in patients for whom MTX use is not appropriate (see section 4.2).

pJIA II:

The safety and efficacy of Humira was assessed in an open-label, multicentre study in 32 children (2 - <4 years old or aged 4 and above weighing <15 kg) with moderately to severely active polyarticular JIA. The patients received 24 mg/m² body surface area (BSA) of Humira up to a maximum of 20 mg every other week as a single dose via SC injection for at least 24 weeks. During the study, most subjects used concomitant MTX, with fewer reporting use of corticosteroids or NSAIDs.

At Week 12 and Week 24, PedACR30 response was 93.5% and 90.0%, respectively, using the observed data approach. The proportions of subjects with PedACR50/70/90 at Week 12 and Week 24 were 90.3%/61.3%/38.7% and 83.3%/73.3%/36.7%, respectively. Amongst those who responded (Pediatric ACR 30) at Week 24 (n=27 out of 30 patients), the Pediatric ACR 30 responses were maintained for up to 60 weeks in the OLE phase in patients who received Humira throughout this time period. Overall, 20 subjects were treated for 60 weeks or longer.

Enthesitis-related arthritis

The safety and efficacy of Humira were assessed in a multicentre, randomised, double-blind study in 46 paediatric patients (6 to 17 years old) with moderate enthesitis-related arthritis. Patients were randomised to receive either 24 mg/m² body surface area (BSA) of Humira up to a maximum of 40 mg, or placebo every other week for 12 weeks. The double-blind period is followed by an open-label (OL) period during which patients received 24 mg/m 2 BSA of Humira up to a maximum of 40 mg every other week subcutaneously for up to an additional 192 weeks. The primary endpoint was the percent change from Baseline to Week 12 in the number of active joints with arthritis (swelling not due to deformity or joints with loss of motion plus pain and/or tenderness), which was achieved with mean percent decrease of -62.6% (median percent change -88.9%) in patients in the Humira group compared to -11.6% (median percent change -50.0%) in patients in the placebo group. Improvement in number of active joints with arthritis was maintained during the OL period through Week 156 for the 26 of 31 (84%) patients in the Humira group who remained in the study. Although not statistically significant, the majority of patients demonstrated clinical improvement in secondary endpoints such as number of sites of enthesitis, tender joint count (TJC), swollen joint count (SJC), Pediatric ACR 50 response, and Pediatric ACR 70 response.

Adults with rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis

Humira was evaluated in over 3,000 patients in all rheumatoid arthritis clinical trials. The efficacy and safety of Humira were assessed in five randomised, double-blind and well-controlled studies. Some patients were treated for up to 120 months duration.

RA study I evaluated 271 patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis who were ≥18 years old, had failed therapy with at least one disease-modifying, anti rheumatic drug and had insufficient efficacy with methotrexate at doses of 12.5 to 25 mg (10 mg if methotrexate-intolerant) every week and whose methotrexate dose remained constant at 10 to 25 mg every week. Doses of 20, 40 or 80 mg of Humira or placebo were given every other week for 24 weeks.

RA study II evaluated 544 patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis who were ≥18 years old and had failed therapy with at least one disease-modifying, anti-rheumatic drugs. Doses of 20 or 40 mg of Humira were given by subcutaneous injection every other week with placebo on alternative weeks or every week for 26 weeks; placebo was given every week for the same duration. No other disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs were allowed.

RA study III evaluated 619 patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis who were ≥18 years old, and who had an ineffective response to methotrexate at doses of 12.5 to 25 mg or have been intolerant to 10 mg of methotrexate every week. There were three groups in this study. The first received placebo injections every week for 52 weeks. The second received 20 mg of Humira every week for 52 weeks. The third group received 40 mg of Humira every other week with placebo injections on alternate weeks. Upon completion of the first 52 weeks, 457 patients enrolled in an open-label extension phase in which 40 mg of Humira/MTX was administered every other week up to 10 years.

RA study IV primarily assessed safety in 636 patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis who were ≥18 years old. Patients were permitted to be either disease-modifying, anti-rheumatic drug-naïve or to remain on their pre-existing rheumatologic therapy provided that therapy was stable for a minimum of 28 days. These therapies include methotrexate, leflunomide, hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine and/or gold salts. Patients were randomised to 40 mg of Humira or placebo every other week for 24 weeks.

RA study V evaluated 799 methotrexate-naïve, adult patients with moderate to severely active early rheumatoid arthritis (mean disease duration less than 9 months). This study evaluated the efficacy of Humira 40 mg every other week/methotrexate combination therapy, Humira 40 mg every other week monotherapy and methotrexate monotherapy in reducing the signs and symptoms and rate of progression of joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis for 104 weeks. Upon completion of the first 104 weeks, 497 patients enrolled in an open-label extension phase in which 40 mg of Humira was administered every other week up to 10 years.

The primary end point in RA studies I, II and III and the secondary endpoint in RA study IV was the percent of patients who achieved an ACR 20 response at Week 24 or 26. The primary endpoint in RA study V was the percent of patients who achieved an ACR 50 response at Week 52. RA studies III and V had an additional primary endpoint at 52 weeks of retardation of disease progression (as detected by X-ray results). RA study III also had a primary endpoint of changes in quality of life.

ACR response

The percent of Humira-treated patients achieving ACR 20, 50 and 70 responses was consistent across RA studies I, II and III. The results for the 40 mg every other week dose are summarised in Table 9.

Table 9. ACR Responses in Placebo-Controlled Trials (Percent of Patients):

^a RA study I at 24 weeks, RA study II at 26 weeks , and RA study III at 24 and 52 weeks
^b 40 mg Humira administered every other week
^c MTX = methotrexate
** p<0.01, Humira versus placebo

In RA studies I-IV, all individual components of the ACR response criteria (number of tender and swollen joints, physician and patient assessment of disease activity and pain, disability index (HAQ) scores and CRP (mg/dl) values) improved at 24 or 26 weeks compared to placebo. In RA study III, these improvements were maintained throughout 52 weeks.

In the open-label extension for RA study III, most patients who were ACR responders maintained response when followed for up to 10 years. Of 207 patients who were randomised to Humira 40 mg every other week, 114 patients continued on Humira 40 mg every other week for 5 years. Among those, 86 patients (75.4%) had ACR 20 responses; 72 patients (63.2%) had ACR 50 responses; and 41 patients (36%) had ACR 70 responses. Of 207 patients, 81 patients continued on Humira 40 mg every other week for 10 years. Among those, 64 patients (79.0%) had ACR 20 responses; 56 patients (69.1%) had ACR 50 responses; and 43 patients (53.1%) had ACR 70 responses.

In RA study IV, the ACR 20 response of patients treated with Humira plus standard of care was statistically significantly better than patients treated with placebo plus standard of care (p<0.001).

In RA studies I-IV, Humira-treated patients achieved statistically significant ACR 20 and 50 responses compared to placebo as early as one to two weeks after initiation of treatment.

In RA study V with early rheumatoid arthritis patients who were methotrexate naïve, combination therapy with Humira and methotrexate led to faster and significantly greater ACR responses than methotrexate monotherapy and Humira monotherapy at Week 52 and responses were sustained at Week 104 (see Table 10).

Table 10. ACR Responses in RA Study V (percent of patients):

^a p-value is from the pairwise comparison of methotrexate monotherapy and Humira/methotrexate combination therapy using the Mann-Whitney U test.
^b p-value is from the pairwise comparison of Humira monotherapy and Humira/methotrexate combination therapy using the Mann-Whitney U test
^c p-value is from the pairwise comparison of Humira monotherapy and methotrexate monotherapy using the Mann-Whitney U test

In the open-label extension for RA study V, ACR response rates were maintained when followed for up to 10 years. Of 542 patients who were randomised to Humira 40 mg every other week, 170 patients continued on Humira 40 mg every other week for 10 years. Among those, 154 patients (90.6%) had ACR 20 responses; 127 patients (74.7%) had ACR 50 responses; and 102 patients (60.0%) had ACR 70 responses.

At Week 52, 42.9% of patients who received Humira/methotrexate combination therapy achieved clinical remission (DAS28 (CRP) <2.6) compared to 20.6% of patients receiving methotrexate monotherapy and 23.4% of patients receiving Humira monotherapy. Humira/methotrexate combination therapy was clinically and statistically superior to methotrexate (p<0.001) and Humira monotherapy (p<0.001) in achieving a low disease state in patients with recently diagnosed moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis.

The response for the two monotherapy arms was similar (p=0.447). Of 342 subjects originally randomized to Humira monotherapy or Humira/methotrexate combination therapy who entered the open- label extension study, 171 subjects completed 10 years of Humira treatment. Among those, 109 subjects (63.7%) were reported to be in remission at 10 years.

Radiographic response

In RA study III, where Humira treated patients had a mean duration of rheumatoid arthritis of approximately 11 years, structural joint damage was assessed radiographically and expressed as change in modified Total Sharp Score (TSS) and its components, the erosion score and joint space narrowing score. Humira/methotrexate patients demonstrated significantly less radiographic progression than patients receiving methotrexate alone at 6 and 12 months (see Table 11).

In the open-label extension of RA Study III, the reduction in rate of progression of structural damage is maintained for 8 and 10 years in a subset of patients. At 8 years, 81 of 207 patients originally treated with 40 mg Humira every other week were evaluated radiographically. Among those, 48 patients showed no progression of structural damage defined by a change from baseline in the mTSS of 0.5 or less. At 10 years, 79 of 207 patients originally treated with 40 mg Humira every other week were evaluated radiographically. Among those, 40 patients showed no progression of structural damage defined by a change from baseline in the mTSS of 0.5 or less.

Table 11. Radiographic Mean Changes Over 12 Months in RA Study III:

^a methotrexate
^b 95% confidence intervals for the differences in change scores between methotrexate and Humira.
^c Based on rank analysis
^d Joint Space Narrowing

In RA study V, structural joint damage was assessed radiographically and expressed as change in modified Total Sharp Score (see Table 12).

Table 12. Radiographic Mean Changes at Week 52 in RA Study V:

^a p-value is from the pairwise comparison of methotrexate monotherapy and Humira/methotrexate combination therapy using the Mann-Whitney U test.
^b p-value is from the pairwise comparison of Humira monotherapy and Humira/methotrexate combination therapy using the Mann-Whitney U test
^c p-value is from the pairwise comparison of Humira monotherapy and methotrexate monotherapy using the Mann-Whitney U test

Following 52 weeks and 104 weeks of treatment, the percentage of patients without progression (change from baseline in modified Total Sharp Score ≤0.5) was significantly higher with Humira/methotrexate combination therapy (63.8% and 61.2% respectively) compared to methotrexate monotherapy (37.4% and 33.5% respectively, p<0.001) and Humira monotherapy (50.7%, p<0.002 and 44.5%, p<0.001 respectively).

In the open-label extension of RA study V, the mean change from baseline at Year 10 in the modified Total Sharp Score was 10.8, 9.2 and 3.9 in patients originally randomized to methotrexate monotherapy, Humira monotherapy and Humira/methotrexate combination therapy, respectively. The corresponding proportions of patients with no radiographic progression were 31.3%, 23.7% and 36.7% respectively.

Quality of life and physical function

Health-related quality of life and physical function were assessed using the disability index of the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) in the four original adequate and well-controlled trials, which was a pre-specified primary endpoint at Week 52 in RA study III. All doses/schedules of Humira in all four studies showed statistically significantly greater improvement in the disability index of the HAQ from baseline to Month 6 compared to placebo and in RA study III the same was seen at Week 52. Results from the Short Form Health Survey (SF 36) for all doses/schedules of Humira in all four studies support these findings, with statistically significant physical component summary (PCS) scores, as well as statistically significant pain and vitality domain scores for the 40 mg every other week dose. A statistically significant decrease in fatigue as measured by functional assessment of chronic illness therapy (FACIT) scores was seen in all three studies in which it was assessed (RA studies I, III, IV).

In RA study III, most subjects who achieved improvement in physical function and continued treatment maintained improvement through Week 520 (120 months) of open-label treatment. Improvement in quality of life was measured up to Week 156 (36 months) and improvement was maintained through that time.

In RA study V, the improvement in the HAQ disability index and the physical component of the SF 36 showed greater improvement (p<0.001) for Humira/methotrexate combination therapy versus methotrexate monotherapy and Humira monotherapy at Week 52, which was maintained through Week 104. Among the 250 subjects who completed the open-label extension study, improvements in physical function were maintained through 10 years of treatment.

Paediatric plaque psoriasis

The efficacy of Humira was assessed in a randomised, double-blind, controlled study of 114 paediatric patients from 4 years of age with severe chronic plaque psoriasis (as defined by a PGA ≥4 or >20% BSA involvement or >10% BSA involvement with very thick lesions or PASI ≥20 or ≥10 with clinically relevant facial, genital, or hand/foot involvement) who were inadequately controlled with topical therapy and heliotherapy or phototherapy.

Patients received Humira 0.8 mg/kg eow (up to 40 mg), 0.4 mg/kg eow (up to 20 mg), or methotrexate 0.1–0.4 mg/kg weekly (up to 25 mg). At Week 16, more patients randomised to Humira 0.8 mg/kg had positive efficacy responses (e.g. PASI 75) than those randomised to 0.4 mg/kg eow or MTX.

Table 13. Paediatric Plaque Psoriasis Efficacy Results at 16 Weeks:

^a MTX = methotrexate
^b P=0.027, Humira 0.8 mg/kg versus MTX
^c P=0.083, Humira 0.8 mg/kg versus MTX

Patients who achieved PASI 75 and PGA clear or minimal were withdrawn from treatment for up to 36 weeks and monitored for loss of disease control (i.e. a worsening of PGA by at least 2 grades). Patients were then re-treated with adalimumab 0.8 mg/kg eow for an additional 16 weeks and response rates observed during retreatment were similar to the previous double-blind period: PASI 75 response of 78.9% (15 of 19 subjects) and PGA clear or minimal of 52.6% (10 of 19 subjects).

In the open label period of the study, PASI 75 and PGA clear or minimal responses were maintained for up to an additional 52 weeks with no new safety findings.

Adult plaque psoriasis

The safety and efficacy of Humira were studied in adult patients with chronic plaque psoriasis (≥10% BSA involvement and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) ≥12 or ≥10) who were candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy in randomised, double-blind studies. 73% of patients enrolled in Psoriasis Studies I and II had received prior systemic therapy or phototherapy. The safety and efficacy of Humira were also studied in adult patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis with concomitant hand and/or foot psoriasis who were candidates for systemic therapy in a randomised double-blind study (Psoriasis Study III).

Psoriasis Study I (REVEAL) evaluated 1,212 patients within three treatment periods. In period A, patients received placebo or Humira at an initial dose of 80 mg followed by 40 mg every other week starting one week after the initial dose. After 16 weeks of therapy, patients who achieved at least a PASI 75 response (PASI score improvement of at least 75% relative to baseline), entered period B and received open-label 40 mg Humira every other week. Patients who maintained ≥PASI 75 response at Week 33 and were originally randomised to active therapy in Period A, were re-randomised in period C to receive 40 mg Humira every other week or placebo for an additional 19 weeks. Across all treatment groups, the mean baseline PASI score was 18.9 and the baseline Physician’s Global Assessment (PGA) score ranged from “moderate” (53% of subjects included) to “severe” (41%) to “very severe” (6%).

Psoriasis Study II (CHAMPION) compared the efficacy and safety of Humira versus methotrexate and placebo in 271 patients. Patients received placebo, an initial dose of MTX 7.5 mg and thereafter dose increases up to Week 12, with a maximum dose of 25 mg or an initial dose of 80 mg Humira followed by 40 mg every other week (starting one week after the initial dose) for 16 weeks. There are no data available comparing Humira and MTX beyond 16 weeks of therapy. Patients receiving MTX who achieved a ≥PASI 50 response at Week 8 and/or 12 did not receive further dose increases. Across all treatment groups, the mean baseline PASI score was 19.7 and the baseline PGA score ranged from “mild” (<1%) to “moderate” (48%) to “severe” (46%) to “very severe” (6%).

Patients participating in all Phase 2 and Phase 3 psoriasis studies were eligible to enrol into an open-label extension trial, where Humira was given for at least an additional 108 weeks.

In Psoriasis Studies I and II, a primary endpoint was the proportion of patients who achieved a PASI 75 response from baseline at Week 16 (see Tables 14 and 15).

Table 14. Ps Study I (REVEAL) - Efficacy Results at 16 Weeks:

^a Percent of patients achieving PASI75 response was calculated as centre-adjusted rate
^b p<0.001, Humira vs. placebo

Table 15. Ps Study II (CHAMPION) Efficacy Results at 16 Weeks:

^a p<0.001 Humira vs. placebo
^b p<0.001 Humira vs. methotrexate
^c p<0.01 Humira vs. placebo
^d p<0.05 Humira vs. methotrexate

In Psoriasis Study I, 28% of patients who were PASI 75 responders and were re-randomised to placebo at Week 33 compared to 5% continuing on Humira, p<0.001, experienced “loss of adequate response” (PASI score after Week 33 and on or before Week 52 that resulted in a <PASI 50 response relative to baseline with a minimum of a 6-point increase in PASI score relative to Week 33). Of the patients who lost adequate response after re-randomisation to placebo who then enrolled into the open-label extension trial, 38% (25/66) and 55% (36/66) regained PASI 75 response after 12 and 24 weeks of re-treatment, respectively.

A total of 233 PASI 75 responders at Week 16 and Week 33 received continuous Humira therapy for 52 weeks in Psoriasis Study I, and continued Humira in the open-label extension trial. PASI 75 and PGA of clear or minimal response rates in these patients were 74.7% and 59.0%, respectively, after an additional 108 weeks of open-label therapy (total of 160 weeks). In an analysis in which all patients who dropped out of the study for adverse events or lack of efficacy, or who dose-escalated, were considered non-responders, PASI 75 and PGA of clear or minimal response rates in these patients were 69.6% and 55.7%, respectively, after an additional 108 weeks of open-label therapy (total of 160 weeks).

A total of 347 stable responders participated in a withdrawal and retreatment evaluation in an open-label extension study. During the withdrawal period, symptoms of psoriasis returned over time with a median time to relapse (decline to PGA “moderate” or worse) of approximately 5 months. None of these patients experienced rebound during the withdrawal period. A total of 76.5% (218/285) of patients who entered the retreatment period had a response of PGA “clear” or “minimal” after 16 weeks of retreatment, irrespective of whether they relapsed during withdrawal (69.1%[123/178] and 88.8% [95/107] for patients who relapsed and who did not relapse during the withdrawal period, respectively). A similar safety profile was observed during retreatment as before withdrawal.

Significant improvements at Week 16 from baseline compared to placebo (Studies I and II) and MTX (Study II) were demonstrated in the DLQI (Dermatology Life Quality Index). In Study I, improvements in the physical and mental component summary scores of the SF-36 were also significant compared to placebo.

In an open-label extension study, for patients who dose escalated from 40 mg every other week to 40 mg weekly due to a PASI response below 50%, 26.4% (92/349) and 37.8% (132/349) of patients achieved PASI 75 response at Week 12 and 24, respectively.

Psoriasis Study III (REACH) compared the efficacy and safety of Humira versus placebo in 72 patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis and hand and/or foot psoriasis. Patients received an initial dose of 80 mg Humira followed by 40 mg every other week (starting one week after the initial dose) or placebo for 16 weeks. At Week 16, a statistically significantly greater proportion of patients who received Humira achieved PGA of ‘clear’ or ‘almost clear’ for the hands and/or feet compared to patients who received placebo (30.6% versus 4.3%, respectively [P=0.014]).

Psoriasis Study IV compared efficacy and safety of Humira versus placebo in 217 adult patients with moderate to severe nail psoriasis. Patients received an initial dose of 80 mg Humira followed by 40 mg every other week (starting one week after the initial dose) or placebo for 26 weeks followed by open-label Humira treatment for an additional 26 weeks. Nail psoriasis assessments included the Modified Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (mNAPSI), the Physician’s Global Assessment of Fingernail Psoriasis (PGA-F) and the Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI) (see Table 16). Humira demonstrated a treatment benefit in nail psoriasis patients with different extents of skin involvement (BSA≥10% (60% of patients) and BSA<10% and ≥5% (40% of patients)).

Table 16. Ps Study IV Efficacy Results at 16, 26 and 52 Weeks:

^a p<0.001, Humira vs. placebo

Humira treated patients showed statistically significant improvements at Week 26 compared with placebo in the DLQI.

Adolescent hidradenitis suppurativa

There are no clinical trials with Humira in adolescent patients with HS. Efficacy of adalimumab for the treatment of adolescent patients with HS is predicted based on the demonstrated efficacy and exposure-response relationship in adult HS patients and the likelihood that the disease course, pathophysiology, and drug effects are substantially similar to that of adults at the same exposure levels. Safety of the recommended adalimumab dose in the adolescent HS population is based on cross-indication safety profile of adalimumab in both adults and paediatric patients at similar or more frequent doses (see section 5.2).

Adult hidradenitis suppurativa

Hidradenitis suppurativa

The safety and efficacy of Humira were assessed in randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies and an open-label extension study in adult patients with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) who were intolerant, had a contraindication or an inadequate response to at least a 3-month trial of systemic antibiotic therapy. The patients in HS-I and HS-II had Hurley Stage II or III disease with at least 3 abscesses or inflammatory nodules.

Study HS-I (PIONEER I) evaluated 307 patients with 2 treatment periods. In Period A, patients received placebo or Humira at an initial dose of 160 mg at Week 0, 80 mg at Week 2, and 40 mg every week starting at Week 4 to Week 11. Concomitant antibiotic use was not allowed during the study. After 12 weeks of therapy, patients who had received Humira in Period A were re-randomised in Period B to 1 of 3 treatment groups (Humira 40 mg every week, Humira 40 mg every other week, or placebo from Week 12 to Week 35). Patients who had been randomised to placebo in Period A were assigned to receive Humira 40 mg every week in Period B.

Study HS-II (PIONEER II) evaluated 326 patients with 2 treatment periods. In Period A, patients received placebo or Humira at an initial dose of 160 mg at Week 0 and 80 mg at Week 2 and 40 mg every week starting at Week 4 to Week 11. 19.3% of patients had continued baseline oral antibiotic therapy during the study. After 12 weeks of therapy, patients who had received Humira in Period A were re-randomised in Period B to 1 of 3 treatment groups (Humira 40 mg every week, Humira 40 mg every other week, or placebo from Week 12 to Week 35). Patients who had been randomised to placebo in Period A were assigned to receive placebo in Period B.

Patients participating in Studies HS-I and HS-II were eligible to enrol into an open-label extension study in which Humira 40mg was administered every week. Mean exposure in all adalimumab population was 762 days. Throughout all 3 studies patients used topical antiseptic wash daily.

Clinical Response

Reduction of inflammatory lesions and prevention of worsening of abscesses and draining fistulas was assessed using Hidradenitis Suppurativa Clinical Response (HiSCR; at least a 50% reduction in total abscess and inflammatory nodule count with no increase in abscess count and no increase in draining fistula count relative to Baseline). Reduction in HS-related skin pain was assessed using a Numeric Rating Scale in patients who entered the study with an initial baseline score of 3 or greater on a 11 point scale.

At Week 12, a significantly higher proportion of patients treated with Humira versus placebo achieved HiSCR. At Week 12, a significantly higher proportion of patients in Study HS-II experienced a clinically relevant decrease in HS-related skin pain (see Table 17). Patients treated with Humira had significantly reduced risk of disease flare during the initial 12 weeks of treatment.

Table 17. Efficacy Results at 12 Weeks, HS Studies I and II:

* P<0.05, ***P<0.001, Humira versus placebo
^a Among all randomised patients.
^b Among patients with baseline HS-related skin pain assessment ≥3, based on Numeric Rating Scale 0–10; 0 = no skin pain, 10 = skin pain as bad as you can imagine.

Treatment with Humira 40 mg every week significantly reduced the risk of worsening of abscesses and draining fistulas. Approximately twice the proportion of patients in the placebo group in the first 12 weeks of Studies HS-I and HS-II, compared with those in the Humira group experienced worsening of abscesses (23.0% vs 11.4%, respectively) and draining fistulas (30.0% vs 13.9%, respectively).

Greater improvements at Week 12 from baseline compared to placebo were demonstrated in skin-specific health-related quality of life, as measured by the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI; Studies HS-I and HS-II), patient global satisfaction with medication treatment as measured by the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire – medication (TSQM; Studies HS-I and HS-II), and physical health as measured by the physical component summary score of the SF-36 (Study HS-I).

In patients with at least a partial response to Humira 40 mg weekly at Week 12, the HiSCR rate at Week 36 was higher in patients who continued weekly Humira than in patients in whom dosing frequency was reduced to every other week, or in whom treatment was withdrawn (see Table 18).

Table 18. Proportion of Patients a Achieving HiSCR b at Weeks 24 and 36 After Treatment Reassignment from Weekly Humira at Week 12:

^a Patients with at least a partial response to Humira 40 mg weekly after 12 weeks of treatment.
^b Patients meeting protocol-specified criteria for loss of response or no improvement were required to discontinue from the studies and were counted as nonresponders.

Among patients who were at least partial responders at Week 12, and who received continuous weekly Humira therapy, the HiSCR rate at Week 48 was 68.3% and at Week 96 was 65.1%. Longer term treatment with Humira 40 mg weekly for 96 weeks identified no new safety findings.

Among patients whose Humira treatment was withdrawn at Week 12 in Studies HS-I and HS-II, the HiSCR rate 12 weeks after re-introduction of Humira 40 mg weekly returned to levels similar to that observed before withdrawal (56.0%).

Paediatric Crohn’s disease

Paediatric Crohn’s disease

Humira was assessed in a multicentre, randomised, double-blind clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of induction and maintenance treatment with doses dependent on body weight (<40 kg or ≥40 kg) in 192 paediatric subjects between the ages of 6 and 17 (inclusive) years, with moderate to severe Crohn’s disease (CD) defined as Paediatric Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (PCDAI) score >30. Subjects had to have failed conventional therapy (including a corticosteroid and/or an immunomodulator) for CD. Subjects may also have previously lost response or been intolerant to infliximab.

All subjects received open-label induction therapy at a dose based on their Baseline body weight: 160 mg at Week 0 and 80 mg at Week 2 for subjects ≥40 kg, and 80 mg and 40 mg, respectively, for subjects <40 kg.

At Week 4, subjects were randomised 1:1 based on their body weight at the time to either the Low Dose or Standard Dose maintenance regimens as shown in Table 19.

Table 19. Maintenance regimen:

Efficacy results

The primary endpoint of the study was clinical remission at Week 26, defined as PCDAI score ≤10.

Clinical remission and clinical response (defined as reduction in PCDAI score of at least 15 points from Baseline) rates are presented in Table 20. Rates of discontinuation of corticosteroids or immunomodulators are presented in Table 21.

Table 20. Paediatric CD Study PCDAI Clinical Remission and Response:

* p value for Standard Dose versus Low Dose comparison.

Table 21. Paediatric CD Study Discontinuation of Corticosteroids or Immunomodulators and Fistula Remission:

¹ p value for Standard Dose versus Low Dose comparison.
² Immunosuppressant therapy could only be discontinued at or after Week 26 at the investigator’s discretion if the subject met the clinical response criterion
³ defined as a closure of all fistulas that were draining at Baseline for at least 2 consecutive post-Baseline visits

Statistically significant increases (improvement) from Baseline to Week 26 and 52 in Body Mass Index and height velocity were observed for both treatment groups.

Statistically and clinically significant improvements from Baseline were also observed in both treatment groups for quality of life parameters (including IMPACT III).

One hundred patients (n=100) from the Paediatric CD Study continued in an open-label long-term extension study. After 5 years of adalimumab therapy, 74.0% (37/50) of the 50 patients remaining in the study continued to be in clinical remission, and 92.0% (46/50) of patients continued to be in clinical response per PCDAI.

Adult Crohn’s disease

The safety and efficacy of Humira were assessed in over 1500 patients with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease (Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (CDAI) ≥220 and ≤450) in randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies. Concomitant stable doses of aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, and/or immunomodulatory agents were permitted and 80% of patients continued to receive at least one of these medications.

Induction of clinical remission (defined as CDAI <150) was evaluated in two studies, CD Study I (CLASSIC I) and CD Study II (GAIN). In CD Study I, 299 TNF-antagonist naive patients were randomised to one of four treatment groups; placebo at Weeks 0 and 2, 160 mg Humira at Week 0 and 80 mg at Week 2, 80 mg at Week 0 and 40 mg at Week 2, and 40 mg at Week 0 and 20 mg at Week 2. In CD Study II, 325 patients who had lost response or were intolerant to infliximab were randomised to receive either 160 mg Humira at Week 0 and 80 mg at Week 2 or placebo at Weeks 0 and 2. The primary non-responders were excluded from the studies and therefore these patients were not further evaluated.

Maintenance of clinical remission was evaluated in CD study III (CHARM). In CD Study III, 854 patients received open-label 80 mg at Week 0 and 40 mg at Week 2. At Week 4 patients were randomised to 40 mg every other week, 40 mg every week, or placebo with a total study duration of 56 weeks. Patients in clinical response (decrease in CDAI ≥70) at Week 4 were stratified and analysed separately from those not in clinical response at Week 4. Corticosteroid taper was permitted after Week 8.

CD study I and CD study II induction of remission and response rates are presented in Table 22.

Table 22. Induction of Clinical Remission and Response (Percent of Patients):

All p-values are pairwise comparisons of proportions for Humira versus placebo
* p<0.001
** p<0.01

Similar remission rates were observed for the 160/80 mg and 80/40 mg induction regimens by Week 8 and adverse events were more frequently noted in the 160/80 mg group.

In CD Study III, at Week 4, 58% (499/854) of patients were in clinical response and were assessed in the primary analysis. Of those in clinical response at Week 4, 48% had been previously exposed to other TNF-antagonists. Maintenance of remission and response rates are presented in Table 23. Clinical remission results remained relatively constant irrespective of previous TNF-antagonist exposure.

Disease-related hospitalisations and surgeries were statistically significantly reduced with adalimumab compared with placebo at Week 56.

Table 23. Maintenance of Clinical Remission and Response (Percent of Patients):

* p<0.001 for Humira versus placebo pairwise comparisons of proportions
** p<0.02 for Humira versus placebo pairwise comparisons of proportions
^a Of those receiving corticosteroids at baseline

Among patients who were not in response at Week 4, 43% of Humira maintenance patients responded by Week 12 compared to 30% of placebo maintenance patients. These results suggest that some patients who have not responded by Week 4 benefit from continued maintenance therapy through Week 12. Therapy continued beyond 12 weeks did not result in significantly more responses (see section 4.2).

117/276 patients from CD study I and 272/777 patients from CD studies II and III were followed through at least 3 years of open-label adalimumab therapy. 88 and 189 patients, respectively, continued to be in clinical remission. Clinical response (CR-100) was maintained in 102 and 233 patients, respectively.

Quality of life

In CD Study I and CD Study II, statistically significant improvement in the disease-specific inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire (IBDQ) total score was achieved at Week 4 in patients randomised to Humira 80/40 mg and 160/80 mg compared to placebo and was seen at Weeks 26 and 56 in CD Study III as well among the adalimumab treatment groups compared to the placebo group.

Paediatric Uveitis

The safety and efficacy of Humira was assessed in a randomized, double-masked, controlled study of 90 paediatric patients from 2 to <18 years of age with active JIA-associated noninfectious anterior uveitis who were refractory to at least 12 weeks of methotrexate treatment. Patients received either placebo or 20 mg adalimumab (if <30 kg) or 40 mg adalimumab (if ≥30 kg) every other week in combination with their baseline dose of methotrexate.

The primary endpoint was ‘time to treatment failure’. The criteria determining treatment failure were worsening or sustained non-improvement in ocular inflammation, partial improvement with development of sustained ocular co-morbidities or worsening of ocular co-morbidities, non-permitted use of concomitant medications, and suspension of treatment for an extended period of time.

Clinical Response

Adalimumab significantly delayed the time to treatment failure, as compared to placebo (See Figure 1, P<0.0001 from log rank test).The median time to treatment failure was 24.1 weeks for subjects treated with placebo, whereas the median time to treatment failure was not estimable for subjects treated with adalimumab because less than one-half of these subjects experienced treatment failure. Adalimumab significantly decreased the risk of treatment failure by 75% relative to placebo, as shown by the hazard ratio (HR=0.25 [95% CI: 0.12, 0.49]).

Figure 1. Kaplan-Meier Curves Summarizing Time to Treatment Failure in the Paediatric Uveitis Study:

Adult Uveitis

The safety and efficacy of Humira were assessed in adult patients with non-infectious intermediate, posterior, and panuveitis, excluding patients with isolated anterior uveitis, in two randomised, double-masked, placebo-controlled studies (UV I and II). Patients received placebo or Humira at an initial dose of 80 mg followed by 40 mg every other week starting one week after the initial dose. Concomitant stable doses of one non-biologic immunosuppressant were permitted.

Study UV I evaluated 217 patients with active uveitis despite treatment with corticosteroids (oral prednisone at a dose of 10 to 60 mg/day). All patients received a 2-week standardised dose of prednisone 60 mg/day at study entry followed by a mandatory taper schedule, with complete corticosteroid discontinuation by Week 15.

Study UV II evaluated 226 patients with inactive uveitis requiring chronic corticosteroid treatment (oral prednisone 10 to 35 mg/day) at baseline to control their disease. Patients subsequently underwent a mandatory taper schedule, with complete corticosteroid discontinuation by Week 19.

The primary efficacy endpoint in both studies was “time to treatment failure”. Treatment failure was defined by a multi-component outcome based on inflammatory chorioretinal and/or inflammatory retinal vascular lesions, anterior chamber (AC) cell grade, vitreous haze (VH) grade and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA).

Clinical Response

Results from both studies demonstrated statistically significant reduction of the risk of treatment failure in patients treated with Humira versus patients receiving placebo (See Table 24). Both studies demonstrated an early and sustained effect of Humira on the treatment failure rate versus placebo (see Figure 2).

Table 24. Time to Treatment Failure in Studies UV I and UV II:

Note: Treatment failure at or after Week 6 (Study UV I), or at or after Week 2 (Study UV II), was counted as event. Drop outs due to reasons other than treatment failure were censored at the time of dropping out.
^a HR of adalimumab vs placebo from proportional hazards regression with treatment as factor.
^b 2-sided P value from log rank test.
^c NE = not estimable. Fewer than half of at-risk subjects had an event.

Figure 2. Kaplan-Meier Curves Summarizing Time to Treatment Failure on or after Week 6 (Study UV I) or Week 2 (Study UV II):

Note: P# = Placebo (Number of Events/Number at Risk); A# = HUMIRA (Number of Events/Number at Risk).

In Study UV I statistically significant differences in favour of adalimumab versus placebo were observed for each component of treatment failure. In Study UV II, statistically significant differences were observed for visual acuity only, but the other components were numerically in favour of adalimumab.

Of the 417 subjects included in the uncontrolled long-term extension of Studies UV I and UV II, 46 subjects were regarded ineligible (e.g. developed complications secondary to diabetic retinopathy, due to cataract surgery or vitrectomy) and were excluded from the primary analysis of efficacy. Of the 371 remaining patients, 276 evaluable patients reached 78 weeks of open-label adalimumab treatment. Based on the observed data approach, 222 (80.4%) were in quiescence (no active inflammatory lesions, AC cell grade ≤0.5+, VH grade ≤0.5+) with a concomitant steroid dose ≤7.5 mg per day, and 184 (66.7%) were in steroid-free quiescence. BCVA was either improved or maintained (<5 letters deterioration) in 88.4% of the eyes at week 78. Among the patients who discontinued the study prior to week 78, 11% discontinued due to adverse events, and 5% due to insufficient response to adalimumab treatment.

Quality of Life

Patient reported outcomes regarding vision-related functioning were measured in both clinical studies, using the NEI VFQ-25. Humira was numerically favoured for the majority of subscores with statistically significant mean differences for general vision, ocular pain, near vision, mental health, and total score in Study UV I, and for general vision and mental health in Study UV II. Vision related effects were not numerically in favour of Humira for colour vision in Study UVI and for colour vision, peripheral vision and near vision in Study UV II.

Quality of Life

Patient reported outcomes regarding vision-related functioning were measured in both clinical studies, using the NEI VFQ-25. Humira was numerically favoured for the majority of subscores with statistically significant mean differences for general vision, ocular pain, near vision, mental health, and total score in Study UV I, and for general vision and mental health in Study UV II. Vision related effects were not numerically in favour of Humira for colour vision in Study UVI and for colour vision, peripheral vision and near vision in Study UV II.

Immunogenicity

Formation of anti-adalimumab antibodies is associated with increased clearance and reduced efficacy of adalimumab. There is no apparent correlation between the presence of anti-adalimumab antibodies and the occurrence of adverse events.

In patients with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis who were 4 to 17 years, anti-adalimumab antibodies were identified in 15.8% (27/171) of patients treated with adalimumab. In patients not given concomitant methotrexate, the incidence was 25.6% (22/86) compared to 5.9% (5/85) when adalimumab was used as add-on to methotrexate. In patients with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis who were 2 to <4 years old or aged 4 and above weighing <15 kg, anti-adalimumab antibodies were identified in 7% (1/15) of patients, and the one patient was receiving concomitant methotrexate.

In patients with enthesitis-related arthritis, anti-adalimumab antibodies were identified in 10.9% (5/46) of patients treated with adalimumab. In patients not given concomitant methotrexate, the incidence was 13.6% (3/22), compared to 8.3% (2/24) when adalimumab was used as add-on to methotrexate.

Patients in rheumatoid arthritis studies I, II and III were tested at multiple time points for anti-adalimumab antibodies during the 6 to 12 month period. In the pivotal trials, anti-adalimumab antibodies were identified in 5.5% (58/1053) of patients treated with adalimumab, compared to 0.5% (2/370) on placebo. In patients not given concomitant methotrexate, the incidence was 12.4%, compared to 0.6% when adalimumab was used as add-on to methotrexate.

In patients with paediatric psoriasis, anti-adalimumab antibodies were identified in 5/38 subjects (13%) treated with 0.8 mg/kg adalimumab monotherapy.

In patients with moderately to severely active paediatric Crohn’s disease, the rate of anti-adalimumab antibody development in patients receiving adalimumab was 3.3%.

In adult patients with Crohn’s disease, anti-adalimumab antibodies were identified in 7/269 subjects (2.6%).

In adult patients with non-infectious uveitis, anti-adalimumab antibodies were identified in 4.8% (12/249) of patients treated with adalimumab.

Because immunogenicity analyses are product-specific, comparison of antibody rates with those from other products is not appropriate.

Paediatric population

The European Medicines Agency has deferred the obligation to submit the results of the studies with Humira in one or more subsets of the paediatric population in ulcerative colitis, see section 4.2 for information on paediatric use.