Effect of Diacerein vs Celecoxib on Symptoms and Structural Changes in Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis

Summary

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is the most frequent cause of knee pain after the age of 50 years. OA is a joint disease characterised by articular cartilage loss associated with structural changes in the cartilage and adjacent structures. The main symptoms are pain and functional disability. The goals of OA therapy are to decrease pain and maintain or improve joint function. There is evidence that diacerein has both a symptomatic and a structural effect on cartilage, and clinical studies suggest that diacerein therapy significantly decreases OA symptoms when compared to placebo. Diacerein has been shown to inhibit interleukine-1 (IL-1β), and down-regulated IL-1β stimulated secretion of metalloproteinases and aggrecanases, and thereby prevent breakdown of cartilage by these enzymes. Diacerein has no effect on the synthesis of prostaglandins, and therefore no effect on the upper intestinal tract. The purpose of this phase III-IV international, multicentre, double-blind, non-inferiority, randomised, controlled study is to determine the efficacy and safety of diacerein vs. celecoxib on symptoms after 6 months of treatment, and on structural changes after 2 years of treatment in knee OA patients as assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Timeline

Start

2016-05

Primary completion

2018-06-26

Completion

2018-06-28

Publications

• Background Pavelka K, Trc T, Karpas K, Vitek P, Sedlackova M, Vlasakova V, Bohmova J, Rovensky J. The efficacy and safety of diacerein in the treatment of painful osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study with primary end points at two months after the end of a three-month treatment period. Arthritis Rheum. 2007 Dec;56(12):4055-64. doi: 10.1002/art.23056.
• Background Bartels EM, Bliddal H, Schondorff PK, Altman RD, Zhang W, Christensen R. Symptomatic efficacy and safety of diacerein in the treatment of osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2010 Mar;18(3):289-96. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2009.10.006. Epub 2009 Oct 14.
• Background Moldovan F, Pelletier JP, Jolicoeur FC, Cloutier JM, Martel-Pelletier J. Diacerhein and rhein reduce the ICE-induced IL-1beta and IL-18 activation in human osteoarthritic cartilage. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2000 May;8(3):186-96. doi: 10.1053/joca.1999.0289.
• Background Pelletier JP, Mineau F, Fernandes JC, Duval N, Martel-Pelletier J. Diacerhein and rhein reduce the interleukin 1beta stimulated inducible nitric oxide synthesis level and activity while stimulating cyclooxygenase-2 synthesis in human osteoarthritic chondrocytes. J Rheumatol. 1998 Dec;25(12):2417-24.
• Background Martel-Pelletier J, Mineau F, Jolicoeur FC, Cloutier JM, Pelletier JP. In vitro effects of diacerhein and rhein on interleukin 1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha systems in human osteoarthritic synovium and chondrocytes. J Rheumatol. 1998 Apr;25(4):753-62.
• Background Franchi-Micheli S, Lavacchi L, Friedmann CA, Zilletti L. The influence of rhein on the biosynthesis of prostaglandin-like substances in-vitro. J Pharm Pharmacol. 1983 Apr;35(4):262-4. doi: 10.1111/j.2042-7158.1983.tb02929.x. No abstract available.
• Background Petrillo M, Montrone F, Ardizzone S, Caruso I, Porro GB. Endoscopic evaluation of diacetylrhein-induced gastric-mucosal lesions. Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 1991;49(1):10-15.
• Pelletier JP, Raynauld JP, Dorais M, Bessette L, Dokoupilova E, Morin F, Pavelka K, Paiement P, Martel-Pelletier J; DISSCO Trial Investigator Group. An international, multicentre, double-blind, randomized study (DISSCO): effect of diacerein vs celecoxib on symptoms in knee osteoarthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2020 Dec 1;59(12):3858-3868. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keaa072.

Drugs

Indications