RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Safety and Efficacy of Open-label Subcutaneous Ixekizumab Treatment for 48 Weeks in a Phase II Study in Biologic-naive and TNF-IR Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis JF The Journal of Rheumatology JO J Rheumatol FD The Journal of Rheumatology SP 289 OP 297 DO 10.3899/jrheum.140831 VO 43 IS 2 A1 Mark C. Genovese A1 Daniel K. Braun A1 Janelle S. Erickson A1 Pierre-Yves Berclaz A1 Subhashis Banerjee A1 Michael P. Heffernan A1 Hilde Carlier YR 2016 UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/43/2/289.abstract AB Objective. To evaluate ixekizumab, an anti-interleukin 17A monoclonal antibody, for safety and effectiveness through 64 weeks in biologic-naive and tumor necrosis factor–inadequate responder (TNF-IR) patients with rheumatoid arthritis.Methods. Patients completing the 16-week double-blind period of a phase II study were eligible to enter the open-label extension (OLE) for an additional 48 weeks of ixekizumab treatment. After a treatment hiatus between weeks 10 to 16, 232 biologic-naive and 158 TNF-IR patients entered the OLE with all patients receiving 160 mg ixekizumab at weeks 16, 18, and 20, and then every 4 weeks through Week 64.Results. A total of 201 (87%) biologic-naive and 99 (62%) TNF-IR patients completed the OLE. Treatment-emergent adverse events (AE) occurred in 168 (72%) biologic-naive and 115 (73%) TNF-IR patients during the OLE. Most AE were mild to moderate in severity and did not lead to study discontinuation. Serious AE (SAE) occurred in 17 (7%) biologic-naive patients, including 5 (2%) serious infections and 2 (1%) deaths. SAE occurred in 18 (11%) TNF-IR patients, including 4 (3%) serious infections and 1 (1%) death. No mycobacterial or invasive fungal infections were reported. Clinical responses [American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20, ACR50, ACR70, and 28-joint Disease Activity Score with C-reactive protein] observed at Week 16 were maintained or improved through Week 64.Conclusion. Ixekizumab was well tolerated, and safety findings in the OLE were consistent overall with those in the double-blind period of this study. Clinical improvements observed with ixekizumab through Week 16 were maintained or improved in patients participating in the OLE through Week 64. Trial registration number: NCT00966875.