John Botson, MD: Pegloticase Plus Methotrexate For Gout

John Botson, MD

A combination therapy of pegloticase plus methotrexate has proven more effective than pegloticase alone at improving uncontrolled gout.

The findings of the study, “Pegloticase Response Improvement By Co-Treatment With Methotrexate Results From the Mirror Open-Label Clinical Trial in Patients With Uncontrolled Gout,” were presented as part of the European E-Congress of Rheumatology 2020 (EULAR 2020) meeting.

Lead investigator John Botson, MD, a clinical rheumatologist in Anchorage, Alaska, spoke to HCPLive® about the mirror open-label trial and how the combination therapy can be used.

Botson and a team of investigators used information previously published showing the efficacy of using pegloticase with methotrexate. The trial was set up for adults 18-65 years old with chronic gout. The only criterion for inclusion was being an adult with gout and being able to tolerate methotrexate.

There were 14 patients who participated in the study and 11 of those were able to meet the primary endpoint, which was maintaining a serum urate level <6, which was chosen based on guidelines from the American College of Rheumatology. Pegloticase responders were able to see a rapid response in their serum urate level along with clinical improvements in tophaceous deposits, Botson said.

The findings, Botson said, could change the way refractory gout is treated.

To learn more about the study and how the findings could impact the rheumatology field, tune into a video between Botson and HCPLive.