Outcomes of Tofacitinib Dose Reduction in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis in Stable Remission from the Randomised RIVETING Trial

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Tofacitinib is an oral, small molecule Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. We present primary completion analysis from RIVETING, an ongoing, double-blind, randomised, parallel-group trial evaluating efficacy and safety of tofacitinib dose reduction to 5 mg twice daily [BID] versus remaining on 10 mg BID in patients in stable remission on tofacitinib 10 mg BID maintenance therapy. METHODS: Patients had received tofacitinib 10 mg BID for ≥ 2 consecutive years and been in stable remission for ≥ 6 months before enrolment. The primary endpoint was modified Mayo score remission at Month 6. Safety was assessed up to February 20, 2020 [data cut-off]. RESULTS: In all, 140 patients were randomised [1:1] to tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg BID; 77.1% and 90.0% of patients in the 5 and 10 mg BID groups, respectively, were in modified Mayo score remission at Month 6 (adjusted difference 12.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.5–25.0). Smaller differences between treatment groups were seen in patients with baseline endoscopic subscore of 0 versus 1 [9.8%; –3.0–22.6, and 21.1%; –6.1–48.2, respectively], and in patients without versus with prior tumour necrosis factor inhibitor [TNFi] failure [9.5%; –6.6–25.6, and 17.4%; –1.6–36.3, respectively]. Adverse events [AE] and serious AE rates were similar across treatment groups; no deaths were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients in stable remission on 10 mg BID maintenance therapy maintained remission following dose de-escalation. For patients who dose de-escalated, those in deep endoscopic remission and those without prior TNFi failure were more likely to maintain remission. Efficacy data were limited to the first 6 months; a longer duration of follow-up during RIVETING will further characterise the impact of dose reduction on maintenance of remission. Safety findings were consistent with the established safety profile of tofacitinib.