Subcutaneous Tanezumab vs NSAIDs to treat osteoarthritis

According to the study results presented at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Convergence 2020 (held virtually from 5 Nov-9 Nov 2020), patients receiving tanezumab had a significantly higher pain improvement (≥30%) at week 16, in comparison with patients receiving non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

A randomized controlled study was conducted to evaluate the effect of subcutaneous tanezumab (monoclonal antibody that inhibits nerve growth factor) versus NSAIDs on clinically important improvements in patients suffering from hip or knee osteoarthritis. Overall, 3021 participants were randomized and 2,996 were given at least one dose of blinded subcutaneous tanezumab and were included in the efficacy analyses. About 1312 patients completed the treatment period (42–45% across the therapeutic groups).

The recruited subjects were randomized to receive either subcutaneous administration of tanezumab (2.5 or 5 mg every eight weeks) or oral administration of NSAIDs twice daily over the therapeutic period of 56 weeks. The percentage of individuals who attained pain improvement (≥30%) from baseline Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) pain subscale score, Minimum Clinically Important Improvement (MCII), and Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) were examined at weeks 16 and 56.

At week 16, the percentage of patients with reductions from baseline in average pain was remarkably higher for tanezumab (2.5 mg, ≥30% responders; 5 mg, ≥30%, ≥50%, and ≥90% responders) in comparison with NSAID at week 16. However, pain alleviation was found to be comparable across the therapeutic groups at week 56 for all categories of response, as shown in the following figure:

*Unadjusted P≤ 0.05 for tanezumab 2.5mg versus NSAID + unadjusted P≤ 0.05 for tanezumab 5mg versus NSAID 

No substantial differences were noted in the percentage of patients attaining MCII and PASS between the therapeutic groups at weeks 16 and 56. The acceptable severity level, and composite pain and function improvement after therapy was found to be comparable for tanezumab and NSAID. Thus, tanezumab appears to be a promising agent to treat osteoarthritis.