Effects of Tofacitinib vs Methotrexate on Rheumatoid Arthritis Interstitial Lung Disease

Study objectives: Primary objective: Effects of tofacitinib compared to that of methotrexate on interstitial pulmonary abnormalities at 24 weeks. Secondary objectives: Effects of tofacitinib compared to that of methotrexate on pulmonary abnormalities and function, RA disease activity and remission rates and patient reported outcome measures at different time points. Frequency of adverse events. Exploratory objectives: Effects of tofacitinib compared to that of methotrexate on cellular and molecular activity profiles of clinical samples from joints and lungs. Study design: A randomized, actively controlled, open-label, assessor-blinded, multicenter 48 weeks phase IV trial. The study design includes an optional sub-study collecting tissue samples using ultrasound-guided synovial biopsies, bronchoalveolar lavage and Particles in Exhaled Air (PExA). Study population and intervention: Patients with early untreated RA with active and seropositive disease will be eligible for screening and the performance of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). Subjects with pulmonary abnormalities suggestive of RA-ILD will be randomized (1:1) to tofacitinib 5 mg BID (group 1) or standard-of-care methotrexate 20 mg weekly (group 2) for 48 weeks. All patients receive prednisone with tapering for 6 weeks. Patients with incomplete response at 24 weeks will escalate to combination therapy with tofacitinib+methotrexate (group 3). Intra-articular injections of cortisone will be allowed during the study. 145 subjects will be included and screened (part 1), and approximately 48 subjects will be randomized to active treatment (part 2).