A two-stage, phase 2 clinical trial was conducted to test whether tofacitinib would take into effect as a glucocorticoid sparing agent in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica. Tofacitinib was given at the dose of 10mg daily through the 24 weeks. Patients were to receive prednisone in a dosage of 15mg daily (or equivalent oral GCs) at baseline and tapered to 2.5mg or less daily within 20 weeks. The primary endpoint was the response to treatment, defined as the achievement of sustained low disease activity (PMR-AS<7) with GC independence (prednisone≤2.5mg daily or equivalent oral GCs) for 4 weeks from week 20.~The trial will be conducted following a two-stage Simon minimax design. After 8 participants have completed their 24-week follow up there will be an interim analysis. If there are 3 or more failures out of these 8 then the trial will stop with the conclusion that the study of Tofacitinib should be abandoned. If there are fewer than 3 failures then the study will continue until a further 6 participants have received treatment, giving a total sample size of 14. If amongst these 14 participants there are 4 or more failures then it will be concluded that further study of Tofacitinib should be abandoned. If further study of the drug is not abandoned at either the interim of the final analysis, then a recommendation to conduct a comparative, randomized phase III trial will be made.
Glucocorticoids are the cornerstone treatment for polymyalgia rheumatica but induce adverse events. The efficacy of the candidate drug Tofacitinib has not yet been demonstrated in controlled studies. The aim of the study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of Tofacitinib as a glucocorticoid sparing agent in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica.