RA Sarilumab Trials Meet Primary Endpoints Save

Three phase III studies of sarilumab (SARIL-RA-TARGET, -EASY and -ASCERTAIN), a fully-human IL6 receptor antibody, have been reported and met primary end points in these pivotal clinical trials. In the TARGET trial, 546 RA patients with an inadequate response to TNF inhibition received 2 doses sarilumab or placebo and showed an ACR20 response rate of 56-61% (35% in placebo). Adverse events included neutropenia, injection site reaction and serious infections (~1%).  The EASY trial tested their autoinjector and the ASCERTAIN study was a head-to-head trial of subcutaneous sarilumab and tocilizumab - no significant differences in safety or efficacy outcomes were seen.