B Cell Therapies, Approved and Emerging: a Review of Infectious Risk and Prevention During Use

CD19 Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Treatment: Unraveling the Role of B Cells in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

B cell generation of autoantibodies is a crucial step in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). After their differentiation in the bone marrow, B cells populate the secondary lymphatic organs, where they undergo further maturation leading to the development of memory B cells as well as antibody-producing plasmablasts and plasma cells. Targeting B cells is an important strategy to treat autoimmune diseases such as SLE, in which B cell tolerance is disturbed and autoimmune B cells and autoantibodies emerge. This review discusses the functional aspects of antibody- and cell-based B cell-depleting therapy in SLE. It thereby particularly focuses on lessons learned from chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell treatment on the role of B cells in SLE for understanding B cell pathology in SLE. CAR T cells model a deep B cell depletion and thereby allow understanding the role of aberrant B cell activation in the pathogenesis of SLE. Furthermore, the effects of B cell depletion on autoantibody production can be better described, ie, explaining the concept of different cellular sources of (auto-) antibodies in the form of short-lived plasmablasts and long-lived plasma cells, which differ in their susceptibility to B cell depletion and require different targeted therapeutic approaches. Finally, the safety of deep B cell depletion in autoimmune disease is discussed.

Position statement of the Spanish Society of Pediatric Rheumatology on infection screening, prophylaxis, and vaccination of pediatric patients with rheumatic diseases and immunosuppressive therapies: Part 1 (screening)

This study provides practical recommendations on infection screening in pediatric patients with immune-mediated rheumatic diseases and immunosuppressive therapies. For this reason, a qualitative approach was applied. A narrative literature review was performed via Medline. Primary searches were conducted using Mesh and free texts to identify articles that analyzed data on infections and vaccinations in pediatric patients with immune-mediated rheumatic diseases and immunosuppressive therapies. The results were presented and discussed in a nominal group meeting, comprising a committee of 12 pediatric rheumatologists from the infections prevention and treatment working group of the Spanish Society of Pediatric Rheumatology. Several recommendations were generated. A consensus procedure was implemented via a Delphi process that was extended to members of the Spanish Society of Pediatric Rheumatology and Vaccine Advisory Committee of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics. Participants to the process produced a score ranging from 0 = totally disagree to 10 = totally agree. Agreement was considered if at least 70% of participants voted ≥ 7. The literature review included more than 400 articles. Overall, 63 recommendations were generated (21 on infection screening) voted by 59 pediatric rheumatologists and other pediatric specialists, all of them achieving the pre-established agreement level. The recommendations on screening cover all the procedures (serology, assessment of risk factors, and other clinical activities) connected with the screening for infections including tuberculosis; hepatitis A, B, and C viruses; measles; mumps; rubella; diphtheria; and other infections. Conclusion: Screening for infections is an essential part of risk management in pediatric patients with immune-mediated rheumatic diseases and immunosuppressive therapies. What is Known: • Infectious diseases and related complications are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with immune-mediated rheumatic diseases. • At present, practical information on infectious prophylaxis in children with rheumatic diseases is limited, and often extrapolated from children with cancer. What is New: • In the absence of evidence, a literature review and a Delphi survey were conducted to establish a series of expert recommendations that would be useful in clinical practice, providing a practical and simple day-to-day approach to be used by pediatric rheumatologists.

Mechanism of Action and Efficacy of Immunosupressors in Lupus Nephritis

Approximately 70% of the patients with systemic lupus erythematosus will have clinical evidence of kidney damage during their evolution. Patients with impaired renal function at onset and those with recurrent flares have a poor prognosis. Understanding the mechanism of action of immunosuppressants is essential for proper prescription. Steroids inhibit the DNA sequence that promotes the release of inflammatory cytokines. Phosphoramide mustard, metabolite of cyclophosphamide, cross-link with the DNA, causing the aggregation of an alkyl group, causing cell death. Mycophenolate inhibits inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, prevents de novo synthesis of guanine, inducing cell arrest in S phase. Azathioprine blocks the synthesis of purines and induces apoptosis. Calcineurin inhibitors prevent the dephosphorylation of NFAT and reduce the production of interleukin 2. Antimalarials alter the enzymatic release of lysosomes by increasing intravesicular pH. The mechanism of action of rituximab is related to complement-dependent cytotoxicity and the elimination of anti-CD20-labeled B cells. Progress in the knowledge and management of low doses of steroids may change the current paradigm and reduce the frequency of related adverse events. Mycophenolate seems to be a better choice than cyclophosphamide for induction, it is also preferred over azathioprine as a maintenance immunosuppressive agent, although azathioprine is preferred in women with a desire for conception, those pregnant, or with low resources. For treatment-resistant cases, tacrolimus, rituximab or belimumab may be effective. Ongoing clinical trials with new drugs offer promising results.

Predicting Severe Infection and Effects of Hypogammaglobulinemia During Therapy With Rituximab in Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate predictors of serious infection events (SIEs) during rituximab (RTX) therapy and effects of hypogammaglobulinemia on SIE rates, and humoral response and its persistence after discontinuation of RTX in the treatment of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs).

METHODS

A retrospective longitudinal study of 700 RMD patients treated with RTX in a single center was conducted. Immunoglobulin levels were measured at baseline and at 4-6 months after each treatment cycle. Baseline predictors of SIEs were assessed using multivariable logistic regression; for RTX cycles 2-4, a mixed-effects logistic regression model was used.

RESULTS

A total of 507 patients (72%) had rheumatoid arthritis, 94 (13%) had systemic lupus erythematosus, 49 (7%) had antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis, and 50 (7%) had other RMDs. The number of SIEs recorded was 281 in 176 patients (9.8 per 100 person-years). Predictors of SIEs included non-RTX-specific comorbidities (previous history of SIE, cancer, chronic lung disease, diabetes mellitus, and heart failure), higher corticosteroid dose, and RTX-specific factors, including low IgG (<6 gm/liter) both at baseline and during treatment, RTX-associated neutropenia, higher IgM, and longer time to RTX re-treatment, but not B cell count or depletion status. Of 110 patients with low IgG, SIE rates were higher in those with low IgG at baseline (16.4 per 100 person-years) and in those who acquired low IgG during or after RTX treatment (21.3 per 100 person-years) versus those with normal IgG (9.7 per 100 person-years). Five of 8 patients (63%) had impaired humoral response to pneumococcus and hemophilus following vaccination challenge, and only 4 of 11 patients (36%) had IgG normalized after switching biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.

CONCLUSION

Immunoglobulin levels should be monitored at baseline and before each RTX cycle to identify patients at risk of SIEs. Individualized risk-benefit assessment should be undertaken in those with lower IgG as this is a consistent SIE predictor and may increase infection profiles when RTX is switched to different therapies.

Gaps in Ambulatory Patient Safety for Immunosuppressive Specialty Medications

OBJECTIVES

New specialty drugs such as biologics are now available in record numbers, presenting increased safety risks for people with immune-mediated diseases. However, comprehensive assessments of patient safety for these drugs are lacking. We examined performance on key patient safety measures, such as screening for latent tuberculosis (LTBI), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV), for new users of a broad group of specialty medications.

METHODS

Data were extracted via electronic health record data warehouses of a large university health system using structured queries, and extensive chart review was performed to confirm measure elements. We included all new users of immunosuppressive specialty drugs between 2013 and 2017. We assessed screening for LTBI, HBV, and HCV from 12 months before through 60 days after medication initiation, and calculated performance on a composite measure that required screening for all three infections. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess differences in screening across specialties, adjusting for patient race, sex, age, and comorbidities.

RESULTS

Among 2027 patients, the most common drugs prescribed were adalimumab (32%), etanercept (24%), infliximab (19%), and ustekinumab (9%). Overall, 62% of patients were screened for LTBI, 42% for HBV, and 33% for HCV. Only 26% of patients were screened appropriately for all three infections. Screening patterns differed significantly according to treating specialty.

CONCLUSIONS

We found gaps in ambulatory safety for patients treated with immunosuppressive specialty drugs for diverse inflammatory conditions across all relevant treating specialties. More robust safety protocols are urgently needed to prevent serious patient safety events in this high-risk population.

[Immunizations for patients with kidney disease]

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with significant infectious complications leading to adverse health outcomes. This increased susceptibility to infection can be related to the nephropathy itself as observed in nephrotic syndrome, to the treatment especially in situations requiring immunosuppressive drugs or related to dialysis. Despite a less effective response to vaccination, some data emphasize similar benefits from immunization among people with CKD to the general population. However, some situations encountered in nephrology require adaptation of immunization practices. The aim of this review is to provide a synthesis of the existing guidelines for immunization in the field of nephrology.

Epratuzumab for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus

INTRODUCTION

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multi-system autoimmune disease. There are three drugs licensed for the treatment of lupus: corticosteroids, hydroxychloroquine and belimumab. Immunosuppressants such as azathioprine, methotrexate and mycophenolate are also used. Despite these treatments there is still considerable morbidity. New treatments are needed for the management of active lupus. Epratuzumab a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody that targets CD22 resulting in selective B cell modulation that has been considered a potential treatment for SLE. Areas covered: Summary of the relevant pathogenesis and disease activity measurements used in SLE patients, current treatments and unmet needs in SLE, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of epratuzumab therapy, and a summary of the 7 clinical trials that have investigated the efficacy and safety of epratuzumab in SLE. Expert commentary: It is not clear why trials have failed to demonstrate efficacy but high placebo response rates from optimisation of standard of care and a sub-optimal dosing regimen may have played a role. Post-hoc analysis suggested that there may be subgroups that did respond, such as anti-SSA positive patients with features of Sjogren's syndrome. Further research is needed to explore this and other potential sub-groups that might respond.

Effect of rituximab on the progression of rheumatoid arthritis-related interstitial lung disease: 10 years' experience at a single centre

Objective

To evaluate the effect of rituximab (RTX) in patients with RA-related interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) and identify factors associated with outcome after treatment.

Methods

An observational study of patients with RA-ILD was conducted from a cohort of RTX-treated RA patients in a single centre for >10 years. Progression was defined by any of the following: a decrease of pre-RTX forced vital capacity (FVC) >10% or diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO) >15% predicted, worsening of the ILD score or death from progressive ILD.

Results

Of 700 RA patients treated with RTX, 56 had RA-ILD (prevalence = 8%). After RTX, new ILD was diagnosed in 3/700 patients (incidence = 0.4%). Data for lung assessment were available for 44/56 patients. The median relative change pre- and post-RTX for FVC were -2.4% and +1.2% ( P = 0.025) and for DLCO were -4.4% and -1.3% ( P = 0.045). Post-RTX, 23/44 (52%) were stable and 7/44 (16%) had improved. Of the 14 (32%) with ILD that progressed, 9/56 (16%) were deaths due to progressive ILD. Factors associated with ILD progression were radiologic pattern of usual interstitial pneumonia, a previous history of lung progression and pre-RTX DLCO <46% predicted. Of those whose ILD progressed, 11/14 (79%) had severe ILD before RTX [median DLCO 42% predicted (interquartile range 41-49)].

Conclusion

In this cohort of patients where RTX was given for arthritis, most patients with ILD pre-RTX remained stable/improved after treatment over a prolonged follow-up period. Patients who deteriorated/died had the most severe ILD pre-RTX, suggesting the drug was not contributory. RTX appears to be an acceptable therapeutic choice for patients with RA-ILD and further studies are warranted.

Rituximab for immunologic renal disease: What the nephrologist needs to know

Rituximab (RTX), a chimeric, monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody, is increasingly used in immune-mediated renal diseases. While licensed in the induction treatment of ANCA-associated vasculitis, it represents one of the most commonly prescribed off-label drugs. Much of the information regarding its safety has been drawn from experience in hematology and rheumatology. Ample evidence illustrates the safety of RTX, however, rare but serious adverse events have emerged that include progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy and hepatitis B reactivation. Moderate to severe hypogammaglobulinemia and late-onset neutropenia following RTX therapy confer an increased infectious risk and factors predicting these side effects (i.e. a genetic basis) need to be identified. Nephrologists initiating RTX need to bear in mind that long-term risks and optimal dosing for many renal indications remain unclear. Special considerations must be given when RTX is used in women of childbearing age. We summarize practical aspects concerning the use of RTX. This review will provide nephrologists with information to guide their use of RTX alerting them to safety risks and the need for patient counselling.

Infection and Lupus: Which Causes Which?

Infection is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with systemic lupus erythematous (SLE). Dysfunction of the innate and adaptive immune systems increases the risk of infection in patients with SLE. Infectious agents have also been theorized to play a role in the pathogenesis of SLE. This article summarizes our current knowledge of the infectious risk SLE patients face as a result of their underlying disease including abnormal phagocytes and T cells as well as the increased risk of infection associated with immunosuppressive agents used to treat disease. Pathogens thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of disease including EBV, CMV, human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), and tuberculosis will also be reviewed, as well as the pathologic potential of microbial amyloids and the microbiome.