Patients on former constant dose of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID]), can benefit from subcutaneous (SC) tanezumab in terms of more joint safety events compared to sustained NSAID, a study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology revealed. Tanezumab (monoclonal antibody) 5mg also showed statistically significant outcomes concerning physical function and pain at 16 weeks.

The long-term safety and efficacy of SC tanezumab in hip or knee OA has been evaluated in this 16 weeks’ study.

The study participants received stable dose NSAID therapy at the time of screening. They had PGA- patient's global assessment of OA described as fair, poor, very poor; WOMAC Pain and Physical Function scores ≥5; poor pain relief with the usual analgesics in the past; without history or radiographic confirmation of pre-specified bone/joint disorders beyond OA. Overall, 996 patients were given naproxen, celecoxib or diclofenac oral two times a day and; 1,002 and 998 patients were administered with tanezumab 2.5mg SC or 5mg every 8-weeks, respectively.

2,996 patients out of 3,021 total patients received ≥1 treatment dose. Although AEs were similar between tanezumab and NSAID, but they were more frequent with tanezumab. At week 16, Tanezumab 5mg significantly improved Pain and Physical Function but not PGA-OA as compared to NSAID.