Effect of Proactive Therapeutic Drug Monitoring on Maintenance of Sustained Disease Control in Adults With Rheumatoid Arthritis on a Subcutaneous TNF Inhibitor: The Rheumatoid Arthritis Therapeutic DRUg Monitoring Trial (RA-DRUM)
Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of adalimumab: In the TDM-group, the adalimumab dose will be adjusted according to the following algorithms in order to keep the drug level within the therapeutic range:
* Serum drug level within therapeutic range : keep dose
* Low drug levels, ADAb undetectable or low levels : Decrease dosing interval by one week to a maximum of 40 mg/week
* Low drug levels, ADAb high levels : Switch to another therapy
* High drug levels : Increase dosing interval by one week up to a maximum of 6 weeks
Study summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to compare therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) versus Standard of care in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with a subcutaneous tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (adalimumab).
The main question it aims to answer is:
Is TDM superior to standard of care in order to maintain sustained disease control without flares?
Participants will be followed with blood sampling every second month, measuring serum drug levels and anti-drug antibodies of the TNFi. In the TDM-group, the researchers will adjust the dosage of the TNFi based on knowledge on optimal therapeutic ranges. In the Standard of care group, the TNFi will be administered according to standard of care without knowledge of serum drug levels or anti-drug antibodies.
Eligibility
Sex
ALL
Min age
18 Years
Max age
74 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion Criteria:
1. A clinical diagnosis of RA
2. ≥ 18 and under 75 years of age at screening
3. On stable therapy with standard dose of a SC TNFi (adalimumab) for a minimum of 3 months and a maximum of 24 months
4. In low disease activity or remission (DAS28-CRP under 3.2) and indication for continuation of treatment according to the treating physician
5. Subject capable of understanding and signing an informed consent form
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Major comorbidities, such as previous malignancies within the last 5 years, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, severe infections (including HIV), uncontrollable hypertension, severe cardiovascular disease (NYHA class 3 or 4), severe respiratory diseases, demyelinating disease, significant chronic widespread pain syndrome, significant renal or hepatic disease, and/or other diseases or conditions which either contraindicate treatment with SC TNFi or make adherence to the protocol difficult
2. Hypersensitivity to sc TNFi (adalimumab).
3. Pregnancy, or subject considering becoming pregnant during the study period
4. Psychiatric or mental disorders, alcohol abuse or other substance abuse, language barriers, or other factors that makes adherence to the study protocol difficult
5. Changes in csDMARD co-medication, including dose changes of csDMARD or changes in the dose of corticosteroids within the last 2 months
6. Co-medication with bDMARD, tsDMARD, or other immunosuppressive drugs (excluding csDMARD and corticosteroids ≤ 7.5 mg prednisolone (or equivalent) once daily).
7. Active participation in any other interventional study.
8. In need of live vaccines during the study period.
Primary outcome measure(s)
Sustained disease control over the follow-up period of 18 months without flare — 4, 8, 12, 18 months A flare defined as either of the following:
A combination of an increase in Disease Activity Score using 28 joints C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) ≥ 1.2, or ≥ 0.6 if DAS28-CRP ≥ 3.2, AND ≥ 2 swollen joints on examination of 44 joints
OR
Consensus between patient and physician that a disease flare has occurred, leading to a major change\* in treatment
\*Please see protocol for the definition of a major change in treatment (due to word restrictions)
Trial sites (22)
Facility
City
Region
Status
Medical University Vienna
Vienna
Austria
Humanitas Research Hospital
Milan
Italy
Diakonhjemmet sykehus
Oslo
N-0319
Ålesund Hospital
Ålesund
Norway
Haukeland University Hospital
Bergen
Norway
Nordland Hospital Trust
Bodø
Norway
Drammen Hospital
Drammen
Norway
Førde Hospital Trust
Førde
Norway
Haugesund Rheumatism Hospital
Haugesund
Norway
Hospital of Southern Norway Trust
Kristiansand
Norway
Lillehammer Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases
Lillehammer
Norway
Helgeland Hospital Trust
Mo i Rana
Norway
Østfold Hospital Trust
Moss
Norway
Martina Hansen's Hospital
Sandvika
Norway
Betanien Hospital
Skien
Norway
Stavanger University Hospital
Stavanger
Norway
University Hospital of North Norway
Tromsø
Norway
St.Olavs Hospital
Trondheim
Norway
Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest
This page summarises publicly available registry data for informational purposes — not medical advice. Eligibility is determined by each study team; patients should discuss participation with their clinician.
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