title: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Active- and Placebo-Controlled Efficacy and Safety Study of Arhalofenate for Reducing Flare in Patients With Gout.
abstract: Arhalofenate is a novel antiinflammatory uricosuric agent. The objective of this study was to evaluate its antiflare activity in patients with gout.
  
  
  
  This was a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, controlled phase IIb study. Eligible patients had had ≥3 flares of gout during the previous year, had discontinued urate-lowering therapy and colchicine, and had a serum uric acid (UA) level of 7.5-12 mg/dl. Patients were randomly assigned at a 2:2:2:2:1 ratio to receive 600 mg arhalofenate, 800 mg arhalofenate, 300 mg allopurinol, 300 mg allopurinol plus 0.6 mg colchicine, or placebo once a day. The primary outcome measure was the flare incidence (number of flares divided by time of exposure). The serum UA level was a secondary outcome measure.
  
  
  
  A total of 239 gout patients were randomized and took at least 1 dose of study medication. The primary outcome measure comparing flare incidence between 800 mg arhalofenate and 300 mg allopurinol was achieved, with a 46% decrease in the 800 mg arhalofenate group (0.66 versus 1.24; P = 0.0056). Treatment with 800 mg arhalofenate was also significantly better than placebo (P = 0.049) and not significantly different from treatment with 300 mg allopurinol plus 0.6 mg colchicine (P = 0.091). Mean changes in serum UA level were -12.5% with 600 mg arhalofenate and -16.5% with 800 mg arhalofenate (P = 0.001 and P = 0.0001, respectively, versus -0.9% with placebo). There were no meaningful differences in adverse events (AEs) between groups, and there were no serious AEs related to arhalofenate. Urinary calculus occurred in 1 patient receiving 300 mg allopurinol. No abnormal serum creatinine values >1.5-fold the baseline value were observed in the arhalofenate-treated groups.
  
  
  
  Arhalofenate at a dosage of 800 mg decreased gout flares significantly compared to allopurinol at a dosage of 300 mg. Arhalofenate was well tolerated and appeared safe. Arhalofenate is the first urate-lowering antiflare therapy.
authors.affiliation: Arthritis Associates, Orlando, Florida.
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Poiley
authors.affiliation: CymaBay Therapeutics, Newark, California.
authors.forename: Alexandra S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Steinberg
authors.affiliation: CymaBay Therapeutics, Newark, California.
authors.forename: Yun-Jung
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: CSD Biostatistics, Tucson, Arizona.
authors.forename: Charles S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: CymaBay Therapeutics, Newark, California.
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.affiliation: CymaBay Therapeutics, Newark, California.
authors.forename: Charles A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: McWherter
authors.affiliation: CymaBay Therapeutics, Newark, California.
authors.forename: Pol F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Boudes
mesh_terms: D000081:Acetamides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000493:Allopurinol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006073:Gout / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006074:Gout Suppressants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010648:Phenylacetates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000081:Acetamides; D006074:Gout Suppressants; D010648:Phenylacetates; C000593473:arhalofenate; D000493:Allopurinol