Local delivery of a recombinant adenoassociated vector containing a tumour necrosis factor alpha antagonist gene in inflammatory arthritis: a phase 1 dose-escalation safety and tolerability study.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the safety and tolerability of a single intra-articular injection of rAAV2-TNFR:Fc, an adenoassociated virus serotype 2 vector containing the cDNA for the human tumour necrosis factor-immunoglobulin Fc fusion gene (tgAAC94), in subjects with inflammatory arthritis.


METHODS
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 1, dose-escalation study, 15 subjects with inflammatory arthritis (14 with rheumatoid arthritis and 1 with ankylosing spondylitis) not receiving tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) inhibitors with persistent moderate (grade 2) or severe (grade 3) swelling in a target joint due to inflammatory arthritis received a single intra-articular injection of rAAV2-TNFR:Fc at 1 x 10(10) (n = 5) or 1 x 10(11) (n = 6) DNase resistant particles per ml joint volume or placebo (n = 4) into a knee (n = 14) or ankle (n = 1). Safety was assessed through adverse event monitoring. As a secondary objective, changes in injected joint tenderness and swelling scores, each measured on a four-point scale, were evaluated.


RESULTS
Intra-articular injections of rAAV2-TNFR:Fc were well tolerated with no major safety issues. One event, mild knee pruritus, was considered probably related. Synovial fluid TNFR:Fc protein was not detected (nor expected) at the doses used. At 12 weeks after injection, a two-point decrease in swelling was noted in 2/11 and 2/4 subjects injected with rAAV2-TNFR:Fc and placebo, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
A single dose of intra-articular rAAV2-TNFR:Fc appears to be safe and well tolerated in subjects without concurrent systemic TNFalpha antagonist use. It is thus feasible to proceed with larger trials to further test the safety and efficacy of local TNFR:Fc gene transfer as a therapeutic modality for patients with inflammatory arthritis.
Mease
P J
PJ
Seattle Rheumatology Associates/Swedish Medical Center Research, Seattle, Washington, USA.
Hobbs
K
K
Chalmers
A
A
El-Gabalawy
H
H
Bookman
A
A
Keystone
E
E
Furst
D E
DE
Anklesaria
P
P
Heald
A E
AE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000628:therapy*; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D000229:Dependovirus / Q000235:genetics*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D000068800:Etanercept; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000235:genetics*; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000235:genetics*; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000068800:Etanercept