Canakinumab shows promise for treatment of large joint osteoarthritis

An exploratory analysis of data from the CANTOS (Canakinumab Anti-inflammatory Thrombosis Outcomes Study) randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial found that patients receiving interleukin-1β (IL-1β) inhibitors had significantly lower rates of total hip or total knee replacements over an average follow up of 3.7 years. These findings are important, as no treatments currently exist that can either prevent or slow progression of osteoarthritis. The study is published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

In the CANTOS trial, more than 10,000 patients with elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels and a history of myocardial infarction were randomly assigned canakinumab or placebo injections every 3 months for up to 5 years to determine the cardiovascular effects. Cardiovascular event rates fell among participants receiving a higher dose range of canakinumab, with the greatest magnitude of effect accruing among those with the most robust reductions in hs-CRP and IL-6. CANTOS, therefore, provided the researchers with a unique opportunity to explore the effects of IL-1β –targeted therapy versus placebo on incidence rates of total hip or total knee replacement surgeries.