ACZ 885 (Novartis) success in Phase II trial for TRAPS

In a Phase II study, 90% of TRAPS patients treated with ACZ 885 (canakinumab) from Novartis, experienced clinical remission after only one week of treatment. Clinical remission included a clinically significant improvement of disease symptoms, as assessed by the treating physician. After two weeks of treatment, 95% of patients with TRAPS treated with ACZ885 had achieved a complete or almost complete response (clinical remission as well as reduced levels of CRP and/or serum amyloid A [SAA], a protein associated with acute inflammation), which was maintained until the end of treatment with monthly dosing. Side effects observed in this study were similar to those already seen for ACZ885's approved indication in CAPS. Infections, mostly upper respiratory tract infections (URIs), were the most commonly reported category of AE, TRAPS is a rare auto-inflammatory disease that can affect both children and adults. This genetically inherited disease is characterized by long and intermittent attacks that can involve fever, rash, abdominal pain, conjunctivitis, severe skin infection, inflammation around the eyes and severe joint pain.