Relapsing Evans syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus with antiphospholipid syndrome treated with Bortezomib in combination with plasma exchange

Massive Right Chylothorax Secondary to a Severe Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Flare With Secondary Evans Syndrome: A Case Report and Literature Review

This case report describes a 23-year-old male patient who presented with right chylothorax as the initial manifestation of a severe flare of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and secondary Evans syndrome. Chylothorax and chylous ascites are rare features of SLE that can occur due to the accumulation of triglyceride-rich fluid in serous cavities. However, they have never been reported as the initial manifestation of a lupus flare. Evans syndrome is a rare disease characterized by autoimmune hemolytic anemia and immune thrombocytopenia, which can be secondary to SLE. The concomitant occurrence of both chylothorax and Evans syndrome in the setting of systemic lupus erythematosus has never been described, and the exact causative mechanisms of both entities are yet to be fully understood. In this report, we discuss our approach to this challenging case to broaden the understanding of the clinical manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus. Our findings emphasize the importance of considering rare features of systemic lupus erythematosus and secondary diseases when evaluating patients with the disease.

Plasma Exchange in a Patient with Immune Thrombocytopenia Associated with Antiphospholipid Syndrome Hospitalized for COVID-19

Thrombocytopenia is a common feature of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and rarely requires treatment. Here we present the case of a 71-year-old man hospitalized for severe immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) secondary to APS and concomitant SARS-CoV-2 infection. The patient was successfully treated with systemic corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulins, and plasma exchange (PEX). Few data are published on the use of plasma exchange in the treatment of thrombocytopenia in non-catastrophic APS. In the setting of acute infection when immunosuppressive therapies might be contraindicated, plasma exchange may be considered an effective therapeutic option. SARS-CoV-2 infection may be a trigger for a relapse of immune thrombocytopenia.

Predictors of refractory risk in systemic lupus erythematosus-related thrombocytopenia: a dual-centre retrospective study

Objectives

Based on clinical and laboratory indicators, this study aimed to establish a multiparametric nomogram to assess the risk of refractory cases of SLE-related thrombocytopenia (SLE-related TP) before systematic treatment.

Methods

From June 2012 to July 2021, a dual-centre retrospective cohort study of prospectively collected data of patients with SLE-related TP was conducted. The cohort data were divided into a developing set, internal validation set and external validation set. Refractory thrombocytopenia (RTP) was defined as failed to prednisone at 1 mg/kg per day with a platelet count cannot achieve or maintain higher than 50×10⁹/L. In the developing set, a nomogram were established to predict RTP risk based on clinical characteristics and laboratory indicators by multivariable logistic regression, and its performance was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, decision curve analysis (DCA) and clinical impact curve (CIC).

Results

A total of 1778 patients with SLE were included, and 413 eligible patients were involved in the final analysis with 121 RTPs. The RTP risk assessment (RRA) model was composed of five significant risk variables: pregnancy, severity of TP, complement 3, anticardiolipin antibody-immunoglobulin G and autoimmune haemolytic anaemia. In three datasets, the AUCs were 0.887 (95% CI 0.830 to 0.945), 0.880 (95% CI 0.785 to 0.975) and 0.871 (95% CI 0.793 to 0.949), respectively. The calibration curve, DCA and CIC all showed good performance of the RRA model.

Conclusion

The RRA model demonstrated good capability for assessing the refractory risk in SLE-related TP, which may be helpful for early identification and intervention.

Combination of low-dose rituximab, bortezomib and dexamethasone for the treatment of autoimmune hemolytic anemia

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) therapy may be associated with severe complications such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, osteoporosis, peptic ulcers, infection, and some other diseases. To reduce those effects, we used low-dose rituximab, bortezomib and dexamethasone (LowR-BD regimen) to treat AIHA. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this regimen.Seven patients with warm AIHA (wAIHA) admitted from March 2020 to October 2020 were treated with LowR-BD regimen: Rituximab 100 mg by intravenous infusion on day 1 combined with bortezomib 1.3 mg/m2 by subcutaneous injection on day 2 plus dexamethasone 20 mg by intravenous infusion on days 2, 3. Clinical efficacy and safety were assessed at the regular reexamination of relevant indicators and follow-up.After 4 cycles of the LowR-BD regimen, the overall response rate (ORR) was 85.71% with a complete response (CR) of 28.57% and a partial response (PR) of 57.14%. After a median follow-up of 12 (range 7-13) months, 5 patients achieved CR and 2 patients had PR status, including 1 patient who did not respond to LowR-BD treatment and reached CR after using methylprednisolone combined with cyclophosphamide. One patient relapsed and achieved PR after retreatment of 2 cycles LowR-BD regimen. The patients tolerated the treatment well and did not complain of apparently adverse reactions except a patient with Sjogren's syndrome and bronchiectasis who developed a severe infection during treatment.Low-dose rituximab combined with bortezomib and dexamethasone is effective and relatively safe in patients with wAIHA.

Experience of therapeutic plasma exchange in rheumatic diseases: Albumin may be a suitable substitute for plasma

Objectives

In this study, we aimed to assess the value of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) in the treatment of rheumatic diseases and compare the safety of different replacement fluids used in TPE.

Patients and methods

A total of 727 TPE procedures in 285 patients (57 males, 228 females; mean age: 39.7±15.4 years; range, 13 to 79 years) with rheumatic diseases between January 2011 and February 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Data including demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were recorded. Treatment response to TPE and adverse events were evaluated in all patients.

Results

Indications for TPE included 13 different disorders, with the majority being systemic lupus erythematosus (up to 50%). The mean number of TPE sessions was 2.55±1.00 per patient and the mean exchange plasma volume was 2,270±256 mL per session. Combined plasma and albumin was the most frequently used replacement fluid (69.5%), followed by albumin and plasma in 20.5% and 10.0% of episodes, respectively. Up to 73.7% (210/285) patients achieved clinical improvement after TPE treatment. Adverse events occurred in 15.1% (110/727) of all the procedures, and allergic reaction (34.5%) was the most common event. The overall incidence rate of complication was similar among the three types of replacement fluids (p=0.214).

Conclusion

Based on our study results, TPE is an invasive, but safe, useful and, sometimes, essential tool with an acceptable risk/benefit ratio for most rheumatic diseases. Albumin can be used as a feasible substitute for plasma in case of shortage of blood resources.

Bortezomib in autoimmune hemolytic anemia and beyond

Bortezomib is a first-in-class, potent, selective and reversible proteasome inhibitor approved for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) and relapsed/refractory mantle cell lymphoma. In these diseases, bortezomib targets plasma cells and lymphocytes reducing tumor burden. Recently, preclinical evidence highlighted its efficacy in reducing long-lived plasma cells responsible of autoantibodies production in several models of autoimmune conditions. These findings paved the way to a number of experiences of bortezomib use in patients with various autoimmune conditions, including autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). The latter is a nice model of autoimmunity in hematology and is caused by the production of autoantibodies against erythrocytes resulting in various degrees of hemolytic anemia. AIHA is classified in warm and cold forms according to the thermal characteristics of the autoantibody, and first-line treatment mainly relies on steroids for warm cases and the anti-CD20 rituximab for cold ones. Relapsed/refractory cases are still an unmet need, and bortezomib has been proposed in this setting with intriguing efficacy. In this review, we collected available literature on bortezomib use in AIHA and in other immune-mediated hematologic and non-hematologic diseases. Overall, most experiences highlight bortezomib efficacy even in multi-relapsed/refractory patients and suggest to consider its use in AIHA after rituximab failure.

Bortezomib for treatment-refractory autoimmune haemolytic anaemia following multivisceral transplantation

A 25-year-old man who received alemtuzumab as induction therapy for a multivisceral transplant experienced delayed onset of warm autoimmune haemolytic anaemia and neutropaenia. Serological testing and bone marrow biopsy excluded alternative causes. Haemolysis was refractory to standard therapies including corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin and rituximab. The patient was successfully treated with bortezomib, a proteasome inhibitor, and has remained well as an outpatient without evidence of ongoing haemolysis.

B cells in primary antiphospholipid syndrome: Review and remaining challenges

It is now widely accepted that antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) have direct pathogenic effects and that B cells, notably through aPL production, play a key role in the development of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Recent findings strengthened the implication of B cells with the description of specific B cell phenotype abnormalities and inborn errors of immunity involving B cell signaling in APS patients. In addition, it has been shown in preclinical models that cross-reactivity between APS autoantigens and mimotopes expressed by human gut commensals can lead to B cell tolerance breakdown and are sufficient for APS development. However, B cell targeting therapies are surprisingly not as effective as expected in APS compared to other autoimmune diseases. Elucidation of the B cell tolerance breakdown mechanisms in APS patients may help to develop and guide the use of novel therapeutic agents that target B cells or specific immune pathway.

Treatment of antiphospholipid syndrome

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is the most common acquired thrombophilia. The clinical manifestations of APS are mainly vascular thrombosis (venous and/or arterial) and/or recurrent pregnancy morbidity with the concomitant persistent presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). Therefore, the goals of the treatment of patients with APS are reducing the pregnancy morbidity and/or the prevention of thrombotic events during the follow-up. Optimal treatment of APS has long been discussed, due to the heterogeneity of the clinical manifestations and the consequent plurality in the medical specialties involved in managing this condition. This review summarizes the available evidence on primary thromboprophylaxis in aPL-positive individuals with no prior thrombotic events, secondary prophylaxis in patients with positive history for thrombotic events, the management of refractory or difficult cases and the current strategies for the management of APS during pregnancy.

Is there a role for immunosuppression in antiphospholipid syndrome?

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by thrombosis, pregnancy morbidity, or nonthrombotic manifestations in patients with persistently positive antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). Conventional APS treatment focuses on antithrombotic strategies, which are usually ineffective for the microvascular and nonthrombotic manifestations of aPL. Using a case-based presentation, this review focuses on the role of immunosuppression in nonobstetric APS, including B-cell inhibition (rituximab, belimumab, and bortezomib), complement inhibition (eculizumab), mechanistic target of rapamycin inhibition (sirolimus), vascular endothelial cell modulation (defibrotide), statins, and traditional rheumatologic disease-modifying agents (hydroxychloroquine, mycophenolate mofetil, azathioprine, and cyclophosphamide).