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Solans-Laqué R, Rúa-Figueroa I, Blanco Aparicio M, García Moguel I, Blanco R, Pérez Grimaldi F, Noblejas Mozo A, Labrador Horrillo M, Álvaro-Gracia JM, Domingo Ribas C, Espigol-Frigolé G, Sánchez-Toril López F, Ortiz Sanjuán FM, Arismendi E, Cid MC. Red flags for clinical suspicion of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). Eur J Intern Med 2024:S0953-6205(24)00247-4. [PMID: 38880725 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejim.2024.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), is a rare ANCA-associated systemic vasculitis. Its overlapping features with other vasculitic or eosinophilic diseases, and the wide and heterogeneous range of clinical manifestations, often result in a delay to diagnosis. OBJECTIVE To identify red flags that raise a suspicion of EGPA to prompt diagnostic testing and to present an evidence-based clinical checklist tool for use in routine clinical practice. METHODS Systematic literature review and expert consensus to identify a list of red flags based on clinical judgement. GRADE applied to generate a strength of recommendation for each red flag and to develop a checklist tool. RESULTS 86 studies were included. 40 red flags were identified as relevant to raise a suspicion of EGPA and assessed by the experts as being clinically significant. Experts agreed that a diagnosis of EGPA should be considered in a patient aged ≥6 years with a blood eosinophil level >1000 cells/µL if untreated and >500 cells/µL if previously treated with any medication likely to have altered the blood eosinophil count. The presence of asthma and/or nasal polyposis should reinforce a suspicion of EGPA. Red flags of asthma, lung infiltrates, pericarditis, cardiomyopathy, polyneuropathy, biopsy with inflammatory eosinophilic infiltrates, palpable purpura, digital ischaemia and ANCA positivity, usually anti-myeloperoxidase, among others, were identified. CONCLUSION The identification of a comprehensive set of red flags could be used to raise a suspicion of EGPA in patients with eosinophilia, providing clinicians with an evidence-based checklist tool that can be integrated into their practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Solans-Laqué
- Internal Medicine Department, H. Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - I Rúa-Figueroa
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Dr. Negrín, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | | | - I García Moguel
- Allergy Department, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - R Blanco
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital Universitario Marqués Valdecilla, IDIVAL, Immunopathology group, Santander, Spain
| | | | - A Noblejas Mozo
- Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Labrador Horrillo
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Dr. Negrín, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - J M Álvaro-Gracia
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital Universitario Gregorio Marañón, IisGM, Madrid, Spain
| | - C Domingo Ribas
- Pneumology Department, Corporació Sanitaria Parc Taulí, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - G Espigol-Frigolé
- Autoimmune Diseases Department, Hospital Clínic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (FRCB-IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - F M Ortiz Sanjuán
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - E Arismendi
- Pneumology Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain and CIBERES, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M C Cid
- Autoimmune Diseases Department, Hospital Clínic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (FRCB-IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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Takamasu E, Yokogawa N, Okada H, Morishima R, Shimada K. Histopathological necrotizing vasculitis predicts severe flare of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. Eur J Intern Med 2024; 123:153-155. [PMID: 38302405 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejim.2024.01.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Eisuke Takamasu
- Department of Rheumatic Diseases, Tokyo Metropolitan Tama Medical Center, 2-8-29 Musashidai, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8524, Japan.
| | - Naoto Yokogawa
- Department of Rheumatic Diseases, Tokyo Metropolitan Tama Medical Center, 2-8-29 Musashidai, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8524, Japan
| | - Haruka Okada
- Department of Pathology, Tokyo Metropolitan Tama Medical Center, 2-8-29 Musashidai, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8524, Japan
| | - Ryo Morishima
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Metropolitan Neurological Hospital, 2-6-1, Musashidai, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-0042, Japan
| | - Kota Shimada
- Department of Rheumatic Diseases, Tokyo Metropolitan Tama Medical Center, 2-8-29 Musashidai, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8524, Japan
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Jayne DR, Terrier B, Hellmich B, Khoury P, Baylis L, Bentley JH, Steinfeld J, Yancey SW, Kwon N, Wechsler ME, Akuthota P. Mepolizumab has clinical benefits including oral corticosteroid sparing irrespective of baseline EGPA characteristics. ERJ Open Res 2024; 10:00509-2023. [PMID: 38196889 PMCID: PMC10772899 DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00509-2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The Mepolizumab in Relapsing or Refractory EGPA (MIRRA) trial (GSK ID: 115921/NCT02020889) demonstrated that mepolizumab increased remission time and reduced oral corticosteroid (OCS) use compared with placebo in patients with relapsing or refractory eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). The present analysis investigated the impact of baseline characteristics on clinical outcomes and characterised the OCS-sparing effect of mepolizumab. Methods In a phase 3, randomised controlled trial for patients with EGPA (MIRRA), patients received standard of care plus mepolizumab 300 mg or placebo every 4 weeks for 52 weeks. The accrued duration of remission, the proportion of patients in remission at weeks 36 and 48, and the proportion of patients with clinical benefit (remission, OCS or relapse-related) were assessed according to baseline EGPA characteristic subgroups (post hoc). Mepolizumab-related OCS-sparing benefits were also quantified. Results Accrued duration of remission and the proportion of patients in remission at weeks 36 and 48 were greater with mepolizumab than placebo across the baseline subgroups of refractory disease, immunosuppressant use, EGPA duration, relapse number and OCS use ≤20 mg·day-1. The proportion of patients with clinical benefit was greater with mepolizumab versus placebo (range 76-81% versus 25-39%), irrespective of immunosuppressant use or EGPA duration. Patients treated with mepolizumab versus placebo accrued significantly more weeks on OCS ≤4 mg·day-1 (OR 5.06, 95% CI 2.47-10.38) and had a mean of 1423.1 mg less per-patient OCS exposure over 52 weeks. Conclusions Mepolizumab treatment provided benefits to patients with EGPA across varying baseline clinical characteristics and can be considered an OCS-sparing treatment in EGPA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Bernhard Hellmich
- Klinik für Innere Medizin, Rheumatologie und Immunologie, Medius Kliniken, Universität Tübingen, Kirchheim-Teck, Germany
| | - Paneez Khoury
- Human Eosinophil Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lee Baylis
- Global Medical Affairs, GSK, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Jonathan Steinfeld
- Respiratory Therapy Area Unit and Flexible Discovery Unit, GSK, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Steven W. Yancey
- Respiratory Therapeutic Area, GSK, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Namhee Kwon
- Clinical Sciences, Respiratory, GSK, Brentford, Middlesex, UK
| | | | - Praveen Akuthota
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Masumoto N, Oshikata C, Nakadegawa R, Motobayashi Y, Osada R, Manabe S, Kaneko T, Tsurikisawa N. Long-term mepolizumab treatment reduces relapse rates in super-responders with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. ALLERGY, ASTHMA, AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE CANADIAN SOCIETY OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY 2023; 19:40. [PMID: 37179316 PMCID: PMC10182616 DOI: 10.1186/s13223-023-00801-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mainstay of treatment for eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is systemic corticosteroid therapy; some patients also receive intravenous immunoglobulins, other immunosuppressive agents, and biologics. Mepolizumab, an anti-interleukin-5 monoclonal antibody, induces remission and decreases the daily corticosteroid dose; however, the clinical efficacy of mepolizumab in EGPA and the prognosis with long-term treatment with this drug are unknown. METHODS Seventy-one EGPA patients were treated at Hiratsuka City Hospital, Japan, between April 2018 and March 2022. We administered mepolizumab for a mean of 2.8 ± 1.7 years to 43 patients in whom remission could not be induced by conventional treatment. After excluding 18 patients who had received mepolizumab for less than 3 years, we classified 15 patients into a "super-responder group" (the daily dose of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressant could be decreased, or the interval between IVIG treatments could be prolonged) and 10 patients into a "responder group" (neither of these changes was achievable). Eosinophil numbers, serum IgG levels, daily doses of corticosteroids and other immunosuppressants, Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS), and relapse frequency before and after mepolizumab initiation were determined. RESULTS Blood eosinophil count at diagnosis and the lowest serum IgG level before mepolizumab treatment were significantly higher in super-responders than in responders (p < 0.05). In super-responders, the prednisolone dose at last visit on mepolizumab treatment was lower than that before treatment (p < 0.01) and lower than that at last visit in the responders (p < 0.01). In both groups, peripheral blood eosinophil numbers and BVAS were lower after starting mepolizumab than before (p < 0.01). BVAS before mepolizumab (p < 0.05) and at last visit (p < 0.01) were lower in super-responders than in responders. Relapse rates every year after the start of mepolizumab were lower in super-responders than in responder groups (p < 0.01). In super-responders, relapse rates were lower during the 3 years following mepolizumab initiation (p < 0.01) and at last visit (p < 0.01) were significantly lower than after 1 year of treatment. CONCLUSION Mepolizumab treatment of super-responders sustainably reduced the relapse rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nami Masumoto
- Department of Respirology, National Hospital Organization Yokohama Medical Center, 3-60-2 Harajuku, Totsuka-Ku, Yokohama, 245-8575, Japan
- Department of Pulmonology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-Ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Chiyako Oshikata
- Department of Respirology, National Hospital Organization Yokohama Medical Center, 3-60-2 Harajuku, Totsuka-Ku, Yokohama, 245-8575, Japan
- Department of Pulmonology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-Ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan
- Department of Allergy and Respirology, Hiratsuka City Hospital, 1-19-1 Minamihara, Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, 254-0065, Japan
| | - Ryo Nakadegawa
- Department of Respirology, National Hospital Organization Yokohama Medical Center, 3-60-2 Harajuku, Totsuka-Ku, Yokohama, 245-8575, Japan
| | - Yuto Motobayashi
- Department of Respirology, National Hospital Organization Yokohama Medical Center, 3-60-2 Harajuku, Totsuka-Ku, Yokohama, 245-8575, Japan
| | - Reeko Osada
- Department of Respirology, National Hospital Organization Yokohama Medical Center, 3-60-2 Harajuku, Totsuka-Ku, Yokohama, 245-8575, Japan
| | - Saki Manabe
- Department of Respirology, National Hospital Organization Yokohama Medical Center, 3-60-2 Harajuku, Totsuka-Ku, Yokohama, 245-8575, Japan
| | - Takeshi Kaneko
- Department of Pulmonology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-Ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Naomi Tsurikisawa
- Department of Respirology, National Hospital Organization Yokohama Medical Center, 3-60-2 Harajuku, Totsuka-Ku, Yokohama, 245-8575, Japan.
- Department of Pulmonology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-Ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan.
- Department of Allergy and Respirology, Hiratsuka City Hospital, 1-19-1 Minamihara, Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, 254-0065, Japan.
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Krol RM, Remmelts HHF, Klaasen R, Frima A, Hagen EC, Kamalski DMA, Heijstek MW, Spierings J. Systemic and Local Medical or Surgical Therapies for Ear, Nose and/or Throat Manifestations in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis: A Systematic Literature Review. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12093173. [PMID: 37176613 PMCID: PMC10179364 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12093173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ear, nose and throat (ENT) manifestations are common in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV), yet how to treat these manifestations remains controversial. Therefore, we systematically reviewed the literature on the efficacy of therapies on ENT manifestations in AAV. METHODS A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, searching Medline, Embase and Cochrane libraries, including clinical studies between January 2005 and January 2022, in adults with AAV and ENT involvement, reporting on the effects of local and systemic therapy. The critical appraisal was performed using tools provided by the Cochrane Library and the level of evidence (LoE) was scored according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine. RESULTS After screening 5609 identified studies, 136 full-text articles were assessed. Finally, 31 articles were included for critical appraisal and data-extraction. Nearly all studies (n = 29) were retrospective and scored low on LoE. The included studies evaluated local interventions (n = 11), glucocorticoids combined with conventional synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) (n = 8), rituximab (n = 6), or mepolizumab (n = 6). Due to heterogeneity across studies meta-analysis was not performed. Four studies on mepolizumab for sinonasal symptoms (n = 92) showed response in 33-100% and relapse in 35%. Local therapy for subglottic stenosis was effective in 80-100% of patients in 11 studies (n = 157), but relapses were common (up to 83%). In five studies, hearing improvement was observed in 56-100%, with better outcomes when glucocorticoids were combined with csDMARDs compared to glucocorticoids only. CONCLUSION Response rates of ENT manifestations varied widely in studies and relapses were observed frequently. Heterogeneity among studies impaired comparison.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roline M Krol
- Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hilde H F Remmelts
- Department of Nephrology, Meander Medical Center, 3813 TZ Amersfoort, The Netherlands
| | - Ruth Klaasen
- Department of Rheumatology, Meander Medical Center, 3813 TZ Amersfoort, The Netherlands
| | - Annelies Frima
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Meander Medical Center, 3813 TZ Amersfoort, The Netherlands
| | - E Christiaan Hagen
- Department of Nephrology, Meander Medical Center, 3813 TZ Amersfoort, The Netherlands
| | - Digna M A Kamalski
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marloes W Heijstek
- Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Julia Spierings
- Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Wechsler ME, Hellmich B, Cid MC, Jayne D, Tian X, Baylis L, Roufosse F. Unmet needs and evidence gaps in hypereosinophilic syndrome and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2023:S0091-6749(23)00334-2. [PMID: 37086239 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2023.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) are rare systemic inflammatory disorders with overlapping symptoms, elevated eosinophil counts, and heterogenous clinical presentations. Although progress has been made in recent years, there are substantial gaps in our understanding of the pathologic mechanisms involved in these diseases, as well as numerous unmet needs relating to both diagnosis and patient management. For example, in most cases of HES, the underlying cause of hypereosinophilia is unknown, while in EGPA, although a polygenic genetic susceptibility has been found, understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms remains largely elusive. Delineating differences between certain disease variants may be challenging, and there are no reliable predictive markers of disease course. In addition, the current diagnostic criteria for HES and classification criteria for EGPA are not easy to implement in a nonspecialist setting, and specialist referral pathways need to be signposted more clearly. Furthermore, disease-specific activity scores need to be developed to aid the assessment of treatment effects, and improved biomarkers are needed to aid with treatment stratification. In this review, we outline the limitations of our current understanding of HES and EGPA and highlight areas for future work, which ultimately should help improve patient management and outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bernhard Hellmich
- Department of Medicine, Medius Kliniken, Academic Teaching Hospital, University of Tübingen, Kirchheim-Teck, Germany
| | - Maria C Cid
- Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Jayne
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Xinping Tian
- Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | | | - Florence Roufosse
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hôpital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
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Kouverianos I, Angelopoulos A, Daoussis D. The role of anti-eosinophilic therapies in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis: a systematic review. Rheumatol Int 2023; 43:1245-1252. [PMID: 37085573 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-023-05326-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is an antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis, mostly affecting small-sized arteries and usually occurring in patients with an allergic background. Eosinophils seem to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of the disease and, therefore, biologics targeting interleukin 5 (IL5), a cytokine tightly linked to eosinophils, have emerged as a promising therapeutic tool. A systematic review of Medline was conducted from 2007 to 2022 to search for data regarding the use of anti-IL5 therapies in patients with EGPA. Ongoing or unpublished trials were also searched in ClinicalTrials.gov and the World Health Organization trials portal. The efficacy and safety of mepolizumab, an anti-IL5 monoclonal antibody (mAb), was confirmed by a randomized controlled trial (RCT), although a significant proportion of patients did not respond to this treatment. Other studies showed that both doses of 100 mg and 300 mg of mepolizumab are almost equally effective in EGPA. Benralizumab, an anti-IL5 receptor mAb has preliminary promising results and an RCT is planned to be conducted. Apart from their clinical efficacy in EGPA, anti-IL5 therapies may have steroid-sparing properties. Anti-IL5 therapies seem to be effective and safe in patients with refractory/relapsing EGPA and can be used as a steroid-sparing treatment. Nevertheless, more research is needed to clarify the pathophysiology of the disease; this may potentially lead to the identification of biomarkers to pinpoint patients most likely to respond to anti-IL5-blockade.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Dimitrios Daoussis
- Department of Rheumatology, Patras University Hospital, University of Patras Medical School, Patras, Greece.
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Paroli M, Gioia C, Accapezzato D. New Insights into Pathogenesis and Treatment of ANCA-Associated Vasculitis: Autoantibodies and Beyond. Antibodies (Basel) 2023; 12:antib12010025. [PMID: 36975372 PMCID: PMC10045085 DOI: 10.3390/antib12010025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis is a group of rare systemic diseases affecting small-caliber vessels. The damage caused by AAV mainly involves the lung and kidneys. AAV includes three different types: granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). Although the different phenotypic forms of AAV share common features, recent studies have shown that there are significant differences in terms of pathogenetic mechanisms involving both the adaptive and innate immune systems. Advances in our understanding of pathogenesis have enabled the development of immuno-targeted therapies. This review illustrates the characteristics of the various forms of AAV and the new therapies available for this disease that can have lethal consequences if left untreated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marino Paroli
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Clinical, Anesthesiologic and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Gioia
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Clinical, Anesthesiologic and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Accapezzato
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Clinical, Anesthesiologic and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
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Berti A, Atzeni F, Dagna L, Del Giacco S, Emmi G, Salvarani C, Vaglio A. Targeting the interleukin-5 pathway in EGPA: evidence, uncertainties and opportunities. Ann Rheum Dis 2023; 82:164-168. [PMID: 36357156 DOI: 10.1136/ard-2022-223044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Only a minority of patients with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) can be weaned-off glucocorticoids (GC) using conventional treatment strategies. The development of biological agents specifically inhibiting the IL-5 pathway provided the opportunity to treat EGPA by targeting one of the crucial regulators of eosinophils, reducing the GC dose required to control the disease.The anti-IL-5 antibody mepolizumab at the dose of 300 mg/4 weeks has proven to be safe and effective in EGPA. While relapsing patients-who often experience recurrent respiratory manifestations-benefit from this treatment, data are not enough to support its use combined with GC alone in remission induction of severe active forms, or in remission maintenance without conventional immunosuppressants in patients with vasculitic manifestations. Ultimately, the profile of the best candidate for mepolizumab is still unclear.Several real-life reports suggest that mepolizumab at the dose of 100 mg/4 weeks, approved for eosinophilic asthma/chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP), effectively maintains remission of EGPA-related asthma and, to a lesser extent, CRSwNP. Preliminary data on the IL-5 pathway-inhibitors benralizumab and reslizumab in EGPA as steroid-sparing agents are also accumulating.Overall, it remains to be proven whether targeting the IL-5 pathway could block progression of organ damage in EGPA, on top of reducing relapses and sparing GC. Other disease-related factors further complicate the understanding of the real anti-IL-5 agent efficacy, such as the lack of a clear definition of remission, of an effective tool to measure disease activity, and of well-defined treat-to-target approaches or goals of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvise Berti
- Rheumatology Unit, Santa Chiara Hospital, APSS Trento and University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | | | - Lorenzo Dagna
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milano, Italy.,Department of Medicine and Clinical Immunology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Stefano Del Giacco
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Giacomo Emmi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | - Carlo Salvarani
- Unit of Rheumatology, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy.,Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences with interest in Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Augusto Vaglio
- Deptartment of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
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Abstract
This review aims to describe the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis is a small to medium vessel necrotizing vasculitis, typically classified with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangitis (MPA) as antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). However, less than 50% of patients with EGPA have a positive ANCA test. Among all the vasculitides, asthma and eosinophilia are unique features of EGPA. Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis is very rare and the diagnosis may be missed as the disease evolves over time. Polyneuropathies are common and may be severe, requiring aggressive immunosuppressive therapy. Heart involvement is the most common cause of death in EGPA. Biopsy of involved tissue supports a clinically suspected diagnosis but is not always feasible. Treatment of EGPA is primarily dictated by the severity of disease and prognostic factors. More severe disease frequently requires the use of aggressive therapy such as cyclophosphamide. Once treatment is initiated, patients can achieve good control of symptoms; unfortunately, disease relapses are common and prolonged treatment with corticosteroids is often necessary for asthma management. A better understanding of the disease heterogeneity is needed for the development of better therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Villa-Forte
- Cleveland Clinic - Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Department of Rheumatic and Immunologic Diseases 9500 Euclid Ave/A50 Cleveland Ohio 44195-5243, USA
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11
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW In recent years, therapeutic advances in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) have changed our treatment paradigm. This review will summarize and discuss updates in management of EGPA, with a particular focus on biologic therapies. RECENT FINDINGS The anti-interleukin (IL)-5 agent mepolizumab (the first FDA-approved drug specifically for EGPA) is effective in induction and maintenance of remission particularly in patients with predominantly asthma and allergic manifestations, though efficacy in ANCA-positive, vasculitic disease is unclear; additional anti-IL-5 agents are under study. Rituximab is currently recommended for remission induction in severe disease, particularly in ANCA-positive patients with vasculitic manifestations, though the supportive evidence is mostly observational. Evidence supporting use of traditional DMARDs and other biologic agents such as omalizumab remains limited and observational. SUMMARY Although management of this heterogeneous disease remains challenging and unanswered questions remain, advances in biologics (particularly anti-IL-5 agents and an evolving interest in rituximab) have expanded our treatment armamentarium in EGPA.
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