Pulmonary adverse events of anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha antibody therapy

Should isoniazid prophylaxis be prescribed to the patients under tumor necrosis factor-alpha antagonists independent of tuberculin skin test?

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to present the follow-up results of 110 patients who were given anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) therapy for rheumatic and dermatologic diseases in a country with a high rates of active and latent tuberculosis bacillus infection.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Between February 2008 and January 2015, 110 cases in the age range of 23-77 who are using anti-TNF-α were included in the study retro-prospectively.

RESULTS

52.7% of them (n = 58) were male. The most common diagnoses were rheumatoid arthritis (42.7%) and ankylosing spondylitis (38.2%). Most frequently given treatment were infliximab 37.3% and etanercept 30.9%, respectively. The 65 patients whose first tuberculin skin test (TST) value "5 mm and above" was started daily 300 mg INH prophylaxis for 9 months but 3 patients had not been started because of refusing treatment. In only one case chemoprophylaxis has had to be interrupted because of high liver function test due to the INH prophylaxis. TST conversion was observed in 14 patients. Further follow-up, it was observed that 4 patients had TST's positivity. Isoniazide (INH) prophylaxis was started these 18 patients (42.9%). Although INH prophylaxis has been given in two patients, they developed active tuberculosis in follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Considering the INH resistance in our country, all patients especially the ones with residual lesion and history of previous exposure, should be followed up closely during the anti-TNF-α treatment.

Management of long-term therapy with biological drugs in psoriatic patients with latent tuberculosis infection in real life setting

Psoriatic patients with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) need a prophylaxis before starting a treatment with biological drugs. The aim of this study is to investigate the safety and efficacy of prophylaxis of LTBI in psoriatic patients receiving long-term biological drugs. The study included 56 patients (42 male and 14 female) affected by moderate-to-severe psoriasis (mean PASI: 12.8 ± 6.9 SD) treated with anti-TNF-α and/or anti IL 12, 23 and/or anti-CD11 drugs with a diagnosis of LTBI. LTBI diagnosis was based on tuberculin skin test and/or QuantiFERON TB Gold test positivity and chest X-ray suggestive, without clinical, or microbiological evidence of active disease. All patients received prophylactic therapy for 9 months with isoniazid (INH) 300 mg/day, starting 3 weeks before the beginning of biological treatment. Fifty-four patients completed prophylaxis with INH without any adverse events or intolerance; they continue the biological treatment without appearance of active tuberculosis. One patient developed tuberculosis pleurisy in course of treatment with etanercept. The infection has been treated and after a stable remission, treatment was restarted without tuberculosis reactivation. In this retrospective analysis, the prophylaxis of LTBI whit INH was effective and safe in longer follow-up period.

State-of-the-Art Imaging of the Lung for Connective Tissue Disease (CTD)

Involvement of the respiratory system is common in connective tissue diseases (CTDs), and the resultant lung injury can affect every part of the lung: the pleura, alveoli, interstitium, vasculature, lymphatic tissue, and large and/or small airways. Most of the parenchymal manifestations of CTD are similar to those found in interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), especially idiopathic interstitial pneumonias, and can be classified using the same system. Although there is some overlap, each CTD is associated with a characteristic pattern of pulmonary involvement. For this reason, thin-section CT as well as pulmonary function tests and serum markers are utilized for diagnosis, disease severity assessment, and therapeutic efficacy evaluation of ILD associated with CTD. In addition, newly developed pulmonary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures have been recommended as useful alternative imaging options for patients with CTD. This review article will (1) address radiological findings for chest radiography and conventional or thin-section CT currently used for six major types of CTD, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma (progressive systemic sclerosis), polymyositis/dermatomyositis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren syndrome and mixed connective tissue disease; (2) briefly deal with radiation dose reduction for thin-section CT examination; and (3) discuss clinically applicable or state-of-the-art MR imaging for CTD patients.

Factors affecting the tuberculosis risk in patients receiving anti-tumor necrosis factor-α treatment

BACKGROUND

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibitors are known to increase the risk of tuberculosis (TB).

OBJECTIVES

To examine the factors associated with an increased risk of TB in patients receiving anti-TNF-α treatment (aTNF-α-T).

METHOD

Of 3,094 patients who received aTNF-α-T between 2003 and 2013, a total of 1,964 subjects with a follow-up time longer than 6 months were identified and included in this retrospective analysis. Potential risk factors for the development of TB in patients receiving aTNF-α-T were evaluated.

RESULTS

Of the 1,964 patients, 1,009 (51%) were male and 955 (49%) were female, with a mean age of 39.7 ± 13.9 years. The primary conditions requiring aTNF-α-T included ankylosing spondylitis (n = 875), rheumatoid arthritis (n = 711), Behçet's disease (n = 83), and others (n = 295). Sixteen patients [8 (50%) males and 8 (50%) females; 5 (31.2%) with pulmonary TB and 11 (68.8%) with extrapulmonary TB] developed TB, with a corresponding TB incidence of 466/100,000. No significant associations were found between age, gender, smoking history, pack-years of smoking, isoniazid (INH) chemoprophylaxis, type of anti-TNF-α agent, use of other immunosuppressive drugs, and the risk of TB (p > 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a significantly higher risk of TB in patients diagnosed with Behçet's disease, and a significantly lower risk of TB in patients with a tuberculin skin test wheal ≥10 mm in diameter (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

aTNF-α-T is associated with an increased risk of pulmonary or extrapulmonary TB, even when follow-up protocols and INH chemoprophylaxis are implemented, and TB often develops in the later stages of treatment. The risk of TB was higher in patients with Behçet's disease and lower in patients who had a strong tuberculin skin test reaction.

Connective Tissue Disease-related Thoracic Disease

Pulmonary involvement is a frequent manifestation of connective tissue disease (CTD)-related thoracic disease. It is important to characterize the underlying pattern when pulmonary involvement occurs in a patient with CTD, and to exclude other causes. A systematic approach, evaluating each compartment of the lung (airway, interstitium, pleura, pulmonary vasculature) may be helpful. In complex cases, a multidisciplinary approach should be considered, potentially including the pulmonologist, rheumatologist, radiologist, pathologist, and sometimes the infectious disease specialist or oncologist. New techniques, such as quantitative computed tomography and MRI, are expected to be helpful for evaluation and management of CTD-associated thoracic disease.

Invasive diagnostic strategies in immunosuppressed patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome

Immunosuppression predisposes the host to development of pulmonary infections, which can lead to respiratory failure and the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). There are multiple mechanisms by which a host can be immunosuppressed and each is associated with specific infectious pathogens. Early invasive diagnostic modalities such as fiber-optic bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage, transbronchial biopsy, and open lung biopsy are complementary to serologic and noninvasive studies and assist in rapidly establishing an accurate diagnosis, which allows initiation of appropriate therapy and may improve outcomes with relative safety.

[Lung disease associated with connective tissue disease]

Connective tissue diseases are often associated with lung diseases that lead to high morbidity and mortality, including interstitial disease, airway disease, pleural lesions, and vascular disease. High resolution CT has high sensitivity for detecting parenchymal disease and potentially reversible lesions, helping to guide treatment. This article emphasizes interstitial pneumonia in association with connective tissue disease and the characteristics that differentiate this entity from idiopathic types. Likewise, we review the most common pulmonary manifestations of each connective tissue disease with the aim of providing the radiologist with a practical approach to the diagnosis and management of these diseases in daily clinical practice.

A case of adalimumab-induced pneumonitis in a 45-year-old man with Crohn's disease

Adalimumab is a human monoclonal antibody against tumour necrosis factor-alpha that has been associated with acute lung toxicity, mainly in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Descriptions of similar patterns of lung injury in patients treated with adalimumab for inflammatory bowel disease are emerging in the literature. A case involving a 45-year-old man with Crohn's disease who developed a nonbronchiolitis inflammatory nodular pattern of lung injury after starting adalimumab is reported.

Priorities for screening and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection in the United States

RATIONALE

To improve the effectiveness of tuberculosis (TB) control programs in the United States by identifying cost-effective priorities for screening for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI).

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the cost-effectiveness of LTBI screening using the tuberculin skin test (TST)and interferon-g release assays (IGRAs).

METHODS

A Markov model of screening for LTBI with TST and IGRA in risk-groups considered in current LTBI screening guidelines.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

In all risk-groups, TST and IGRA screening resulted in increased mean life expectancy, ranging from 0.03–0.24 life-months per person screened. IGRA screening resulted in greater life expectancy gains than TST. Screening always cost more than not screening, but IGRA was cost-saving compared with TST in some groups. Four patterns of cost-effectiveness emerged, related to four risk categories. (1) Individuals at highest risk of TB reactivation (close contacts and those infected with HIV): the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of IGRA compared with TST was less than $100,000 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. (2) The foreign-born: IGRA was cost-saving compared with TST and cost-effective compared with no screening (ICER ,$100,000 per QALY gained). (3) Vulnerable populations (e.g., homeless, drug user, or former prisoner): the ICER of TST screening was approximately $100,000–$150,000 per QALY gained, but IGRA was not cost-effective. (4) Medical comorbidities (e.g., diabetes): the ICER of screening with TST or IGRA was greater than $100,000 per QALY.

CONCLUSIONS

LTBI screening guidelines could make progress toward TB elimination by prioritizing screening for close contacts, those infected with HIV, and the foreign-born regardless of time living in the United States. For these groups, IGRA screening was more cost-effective than TST screening.

TNF alpha antagonist therapy and safety monitoring

OBJECTIVES

To develop and/or update fact sheets about TNFα antagonists treatments, in order to assist physicians in the management of patients with inflammatory joint disease.

METHODS

1. selection by a committee of rheumatology experts of the main topics of interest for which fact sheets were desirable; 2. identification and review of publications relevant to each topic; 3. development and/or update of fact sheets based on three levels of evidence: evidence-based medicine, official recommendations, and expert opinion. The experts were rheumatologists and invited specialists in other fields, and they had extensive experience with the management of chronic inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid. They were members of the CRI (Club Rhumatismes et Inflammation), a section of the Société Francaise de Rhumatologie. Each fact sheet was revised by several experts and the overall process was coordinated by three experts.

RESULTS

Several topics of major interest were selected: contraindications of TNFα antagonists treatments, the management of adverse effects and concomitant diseases that may develop during these therapies, and the management of everyday situations such as pregnancy, surgery, and immunizations. After a review of the literature and discussions among experts, a consensus was developed about the content of the fact sheets presented here. These fact sheets focus on several points: 1. in RA and SpA, initiation and monitoring of TNFα antagonists treatments, management of patients with specific past histories, and specific clinical situations such as pregnancy; 2. diseases other than RA, such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis; 3. models of letters for informing the rheumatologist and general practitioner; 4. and patient information.

CONCLUSION

These TNFα antagonists treatments fact sheets built on evidence-based medicine and expert opinion will serve as a practical tool for assisting physicians who manage patients on these therapies. They will be available continuously at www.cri-net.com and updated at appropriate intervals.

Lung disease related to collagen vascular disease

Collagen vascular disease is one of the most common causes of chronic infiltrative lung disease. Patterns of lung injury from collagen vascular disease include nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), usual interstitial pneumonia, organizing pneumonia, bronchiectasis, obliterative bronchiolitis, and pulmonary arterial hypertension. The prevalence of each entity varies according to the specific disease entity. NSIP and pulmonary hypertension are common in scleroderma, whereas usual interstitial pneumonia, bronchiectasis, and obliterative bronchiolitis are commonly found in rheumatoid arthritis. In systemic lupus erythematosus, pleural effusions and pulmonary hemorrhage are the salient features. In polymyositis, a combination of organizing pneumonia and NSIP is characteristic. Sjögren syndrome is characterized by bronchiectasis and lymphoid interstitial pneumonia, often associated with thin-walled cysts. Ankylosing spondylitis is associated with upper lobe fibrosis, and may be complicated by mycetoma.

[Drug-induced disorders of the lung parenchyma]

Drug-induced alveolitis/pneumonitis and lung fibrosis are comparatively frequent manifestations of drug-induced damage to the respiratory system. These side effects rarely have pathognomonic features. Therefore, they are relevant differential diagnoses of naturally occurring pulmonary diseases. Side effects of drug therapy may mimic much of the clinical-radiological-pathological pattern of interstitial lung diseases; however, precise figures on the frequency of medicamentous induction of interstitial lung disorders are lacking. The diagnostics are based mainly on verifying a compatible disease pattern, excluding differential diagnoses, and assessing the temporal relationship and the consequences of drug abstention. Reexposure is rarely indicated. Strict elimination of the responsible drugs is the most important therapeutic measure. Additional drug therapy, mostly with glucocorticosteroids, may be indicated. This article summarizes the spectrum of drug-induced disorders of the lung parenchyma.

Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory effect of infliximab in a mouse model of acute asthma

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the potential role of anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha mAb (infliximab) on the inflammatory response in a mouse model of acute asthma.

METHODS

BALB/c mice received intraperitoneal (i.p.) ovalbumin (OVA) on days 0 and 14, 100 microg of OVA intranasally on day 14 and 50 microg of OVA intranasally on days 25, 26 and 27. The low-dose (2.5 mg/kg) and high-dose (6.25 mg/kg) infliximab groups received i.p. infliximab before each i.p. sensitization and on challenge days 1, 6, 13, 20 and 27. The control group received i.p. injections of normal saline with alum on days 0 and 14 and normal saline without alum on days 14, 25, 26 and 27.

RESULTS

There were statistically significant decreases in the numbers of BAL fluid (BALF) neutrophils, eosinophils, as well as lung eosinophils in both the low- and high-dose infliximab groups when compared with the control OVA sensitized/challenged group. The lower dose of infliximab did not alter lung neutrophil counts, but a marked decrease was seen with the high dose of infliximab. After treatment with low and high doses of infliximab, BALF levels of regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), TNF-alpha, IL-6, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2, and levels of RANTES, IL-4, GM-CSF, TNF-alpha, IL-6 and MIP-2 in lung tissue were significantly decreased when compared with the control OVA sensitized/challenged group. There was a significant decrease in BALF IL-4 only in the high-dose infliximab group.

CONCLUSIONS

These results show that an anti-TNF-alpha mAb has a considerable anti-inflammatory effect on allergen-induced lung inflammation in an animal model of acute asthma.

Transitional Change in the Clinical Features of Pulmonary Tuberculosis

BACKGROUND

An aging population, increased use of immunosuppressive therapy and an increase in patients with risk factors for tuberculosis have induced changes in the clinical features of pulmonary tuberculosis in Japan.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate transitional changes in the clinical features of recent patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

METHODS

This study analyzed 820 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis who were culture positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the Kawasaki Medical School Hospital and ten associated community hospitals between January 1986 and December 2005 (406 patients between January 1986 and December 1995 and 414 patients between January 1996 and December 2005).

RESULTS

The characteristic clinical features of the latter period were as follows: (1) an increase in the percentages of patients with both malignant diseases and collagen vascular diseases, (2) a decrease in the proportion of patients with obvious clinical symptoms, (3) an increase in the number of microbiologically smear-positive patients, (4) an increase in the percentages of patients with atypical radiological findings, (5) no change in the incidence of multidrug-resistant M. tuberculosis and (6) no change in the rate of the effect of treatment or prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of an increase in atypical features may be related to the increase in immunocompromised patients and should therefore be investigated further. Performance of acid-fast bacillus examination is extremely important because a good prognosis can be achieved if an accurate diagnosis is established as soon as possible and the resistance of M. tuberculosis to antituberculous drugs has not progressed.

Diagnosis and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection in arthritis patients treated with tumor necrosis factor antagonists in Korea

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is essential for host defense against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and the risk of reactivation of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) increases with anti-TNF therapy. This study estimated the prevalence of LTBI and evaluated the safety and completion rate of short-course therapy with isoniazid plus rifampin for 3 months to treat LTBI in a cohort of Korean arthritis patients before initiating anti-TNF therapy. We retrospectively studied the files of 112 consecutive patients to evaluate LTBI before starting anti-TNF drugs. Screening tests were performed, including a tuberculin skin test and chest radiography. LTBI treatment was indicated in 41 patients (37%). Of these, three patients refused the LTBI treatment. Of the 38 patients who underwent LTBI treatment, 36 (95%) took isoniazid plus rifampin for 3 months. Six patients (16%) showed transient elevations of liver enzymes during the LTBI treatment. Overall, 35 patients (92%) completed the LTBI treatment as planned. In conclusion, LTBI was diagnosed in one-third of Korean arthritis patients before initiating anti-TNF therapy. A high percentage of these patients completed 3 months of LTBI treatment with isoniazid plus rifampin without serious complications.

Isoniazid intervention for latent tuberculosis among 86 patients with rheumatologic disease administered with anti-TNFα

In this study, we investigated the safety and toxicity of isoniazid (INH) intervention therapy to the patients with latent tuberculosis who were given tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) for the treatment of their rheumatologic diseases. In this prospective clinical study, we enrolled 86 patients receiving anti-TNFalpha therapy for their rheumatologic diseases between April 2005 and September 2006. Of all the subjects, 45 had rheumatoid arthritis, 36 had ankylosing spondylitis, and 5 had psoriatic arthritis. In addition to anti-TNFalpha therapy, 60 of the 86 patients were given INH intervention for revealed latent tuberculosis. INH at a dosage of 300 mg daily was given for 9 months. Hepatotoxicity due to the INH therapy was considered when the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and/or aspartate aminotransaminase (AST) levels showed at least threefold increase with respect to their baseline serum levels. Serum ALT and AST levels were measured by enzymatic colorimetric method in fasting peripheral blood samples at 0 (baseline), 1, 2, 3, 6, and 9 months. Of 86 patients, 47 (54.7%) were women (mean age+/-SD, 44.1 +/- 10.9 years) and 39 (45.3%) were men (38.8 +/- 10.1 years). Except five patients (8.3%), liver toxicity due to the INH therapy was not encountered among the patients, and after temporarily discontinuing the INH therapy of these five subjects, serum transaminase levels returned to the normal ranges. No hepatotoxicity was observed in the non-INH group. However, there was no statistical significance between INH-treated and non-INH-treated group (p = 0.317). In addition, none of the 86 patients developed active tuberculosis infection during the treatment period. In conclusion, for those patients who were assigned to the TNFalpha treatment for their rheumatologic disorders and carrying risk for latent tuberculosis, INH intervention therapy was found to be safe and efficacious.