Introduction
Search Strategy
The Current Evidence on Dose Tapering of Biologic DMARDs in Axial Spondyloarthritis
Study | Design | Location | N | Induction | Strategy | Outcome | Follow-up | Results |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cantini et al., 2013 [14] | Randomized, parallel-group, single center | Italy | 42, axSpA | 25 ± 11 months | ETN q2Wk vs. standard dose | BASDAI < 4, or no EMM | 22 months | Remission in 86.3% vs. 90.4% in standard dose group |
ANSWERS Yates et al., 2015 [21] | Randomized, controlled, non-inferiority | UK | 47 | 26 weeks | ETN 25 mg q Wk vs. standard dose | Loss of remission defined by increase in BASDAI >.2 or 50% increase in baseline + pain VAS > 2 | 24 weeks | Remission in 52% vs. 83.3% |
Li et al., 2016 [18] | Randomized, single center, open label | China | 43, axSpA | 4 weeks | ENB 50 mg q4Wk followed by 25 mg q 4Wk vs. standard dose | Mean BASDAI | 8 weeks | Mean BASDAI 1.42 vs. 1.40 in standard dose group |
C-OPTOMISE Landewe et al., 2019 [19] | Randomized, controlled, parallel-group multicenter | Europe | 303, axSpA | 48 weeks | CZM 200 mg q2weekly vs. CZM 200 mg q monthly | ASDAS < 1.3 | 48 weeks | Flare-free survival 79.0% vs. 83.7% in standard dose group |
REDES-TNF Gratacos et al., 2019 [20] | Randomized open-label clinical trial | Spain | 113 | 6 months | TNFi dose spacing by 50% vs. TNFi standard dose | BASDAI < 4,PhGA < 4 + PGA < 4 and nocturnal axial pain VAS < 4 | 52 weeks | 81.3% vs. 83.8% in standard dose group (non-inferior) |
Zhang et al., 2020 [22] | Randomized, multicenter, open label | China | 235 | 12 weeks | Group A (remission i.e., ASDAS < 1.3) Group B (LDA ASDAS > 1.3–< 2.1) ENB Tapered to 25 mg q4 weeks vs. standard dose | ASDAS < 1.3 group A ASDAS (< 2.1 > 1.3) group B | 48 weeks | Flare-free survival 91.0% and 83.3% in both groups with stepwise tapering |
DRESS_PSMichielsens et al., 2022 [23••] | Randomized, controlled single center, open label | Netherlands | 122, (axSpA 58) | > 6 months | Q3monthly Stepwise taper of TNFi with spacing of dosing intervals except for IFX with reduction in dose | Mean ASDAS, PASDAS | 12 months | Mean ASDAS 1.34 (0.87) vs. 1.21 (0.61) in standard dose Mean PASDAS 1.60 (1.26) vs. 1.63 (0.98) in standard dose |
Ruward et al., 2022 [24] | Randomized, open label | Netherlands | 160 | 6 months | Phase 1—ETN dose reduction by 50% vs. standard dose Phase II—ENT discontinuation if maintained MDA vs. standard dose | ASDAS < 2.1 | 18 months | 55% maintained MDA vs. 65% in standard group |
BIODOPT Uhrenholt ed al., 2022 [25] | Randomized, open-label | Denmark | 95 (axSpA 36) | > 12 months | TNFi spacing with reduction of dose by 50% vs. standard practice | 50% dose reduction and ASDAS at 18 months | 18 months | Mean ASDAS 1.46 (0.12) vs. 1.3 (0.11) |
GO-BACK Weinstein et al., 2023 [26] | Randomized, open-label | International | 188 | 10 months | GLM q2mo vs. standard dose compared to PLB | Flare free survival i.e., ASDAS < 2.1, BASDAI < 2 points | 12 months | 68.3% taper group vs. 84.1% in standard ( not significant) |
Tapering Strategies with Reported Risk of Flare
Effect on Function and Quality of Life Patient-Reported Outcomes
Safety of Tapering
Factors Associated with Successful Tapering of b-DMARDS in axSpA
Negative Predictors of Tapering
Current Data on Discontinuation of b-DMARD
Study | Biologic | Design | Location | N | Timing | Strategy | Outcome* | F/up | Results |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brandt et al., 2003 [34] | Etanercept | Obs | Germany | 26 | 3 m | Instant | Flare (BASDAI) | 36 w | 100% |
Baraliakos et al., 2005 [35] | Infliximab | Obs | Germany | 42 | 36 m | Instant | Flare (BASDAI) | 52 w | 98% |
Deng et al., 2012 [32] | Etanercept | RCT | China | 111 | 2.5 m | Instant | Flare (BASDAI) | 52 w | 79% |
ESTHER, 2012 [36] | Etanercept | Obs | Germany | 17 | 11 m | Instant | Flare (BASDAI) | 52 w | 76% |
Haibel et al., 2013 [31] | Adalimumab | Obs | Germany | 24 | 12 m | Instant | Flare (ASAS40) | 52 w | 79% |
ABILITY-3, 2018 [32] | Adalimumab | RCT | International | 153 | 28 w | Instant | Flare (ASDAS) | 40 w | 52.9% |
REMINEA, 2019 [37] | Infliximab | Obs | Spain | 36 | 6 m | Instant | Flare (BASDAI) | 48 w | 58% |
C-OPTIMISE, 2020 [19] | Certolizumab | RCT | International | 104 | 48 w | Instant | Flare (ASDAS) | 48 w | 79.8% |
COAST-Y, 2021 [24] | Ixekizumab | RCT | International | 53 | 24 w | Instant | Flare (ASDAS) | 40 w | 45.3% |
Wetterslev et al., 2022 [27••] | Any TNFi | Obs | Denmark | 109 | 12 m | Taper | Flare (BASDAI) | 96 w | 99% |
GO-BACK, 2023 [27••] | Golimumab | RCT | International | 63 | 10 m | Instant | Flare (ASDAS) | 52 w | 66.1% |
RE-EMBARK, 2023 [38••] | Etanercept | RCT | International | 119 | 24 w | Instant | Flare (ASDAS) | 40 w | 74.8% |