The multi-biomarker disease activity score tracks response to rituximab treatment in rheumatoid arthritis patients: a post hoc analysis of three cohort studies

BACKGROUND: A multi-biomarker disease activity (MBDA) score has been validated as an objective measure of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and shown to track response to treatment with several disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of the MBDA score to track response to treatment with rituximab. METHODS: Data were used from 57 RA patients from three cohorts treated with rituximab 1000 mg and methylprednisolone 100 mg at days 1 and 15. The MBDA score was assessed in serum samples obtained at baseline and 6 months. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients were calculated for baseline values, 6-month values, and change from baseline to 6 months (∆), between MBDA score and the following measures: disease activity score assessing 28 joints (DAS28) using erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), ESR, (hs)CRP, swollen and tender joint counts assessing 28 joints (SJC28, TJC28), patient visual analogue scale for general health (VAS-GH), health assessment questionnaire (HAQ), and radiographic progression over 12 months using Sharp/van der Heijde score (SHS), as well as six bone turnover markers. Additionally, multivariable linear regression analyses were performed using these measures as dependent variable and the MBDA score as independent variable, with adjustment for relevant confounders. The association between ∆MBDA score and European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response at 6 months was assessed with adjustment for relevant confounders. RESULTS: At baseline, the median MBDA score and DAS28-ESR were 54.0 (IQR 44.3–70.0) and 6.3 (IQR 5.4–7.1), respectively. MBDA scores correlated significantly with DAS28-ESR, DAS28-hsCRP, ESR and (hs)CRP at baseline and 6 months. ∆MBDA score correlated significantly with changes in these measures. ∆MBDA score was associated with EULAR good or moderate response (adjusted OR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.81–0.98, p = 0.02). Neither baseline MBDA score nor ΔMBDA score correlated statistically significantly with ∆SHS (n = 11) or change in bone turnover markers (n = 23), although ∆SHS ≥ 5 was observed in 5 (56%) of nine patients with high MBDA scores. CONCLUSIONS: We have shown, for the first time, that the MBDA score tracked disease activity in RA patients treated with rituximab and that change in MBDA score reflected the degree of treatment response. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s13075-018-1750-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.