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Fujisawa Y, Horita S, Wakabayashi K. A Case of Macrophage Activation Syndrome With Elderly Onset Still's Disease Under Tocilizumab Treatment. Cureus 2024; 16:e59285. [PMID: 38813312 PMCID: PMC11135383 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Adult-onset Still's disease in older adults is referred to as elderly onset Still's disease (EOSD). Few cases of tocilizumab (TCZ) use for EOSD management have been reported. Here, we report the case of an 87-year-old Japanese woman with EOSD who was not previously taking any medication. She had fatigue, sore throat, and loss of appetite for several days and gradually experienced difficulty walking. On examination, she was found to have a fever and erythema on the buttocks and extremities. Laboratory tests revealed leukocytosis with neutrophil predominance, elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and hyperferritinemia. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan of the chest to the abdomen showed no abnormalities. Antimicrobial therapy was initiated; however, the fever did not resolve. On day seven, 40 mg/day prednisolone (PDN) was started for EOSD in the absence of an obvious infection or a malignancy. On day 20, the fever recurred, and the patient was started on intravenous methylprednisolone (mPDN) half-pulse therapy (500 mg/day for three days). The fever resolved, and the CRP level decreased to 1 mg/dL but did not return to normal. On day 35, the fever recurred; therefore, 320 mg of TCZ was injected intravenously, and the PDN was tapered. On day 43, the patient tested positive for cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigenemia and improved on ganciclovir. On day 70, the patient developed fever, decreased white blood cell (WBC) and hemoglobin (Hb) levels, high lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, hyperferritinemia, and elevated liver enzymes. Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) was diagnosed due to hemophagocytosis on bone marrow examination. The patient was started on pulse therapy with glucocorticosteroids and cyclosporine. The patient's fever decreased, and her WBC count and LDH level normalized. The patient continued rehabilitation for muscle weakness due to prolonged hospitalization and high-dose steroid use and was discharged from the hospital on day 150. The findings in this case suggest that the use of TCZ during the remission induction phase of EOSD may lead to MAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhei Fujisawa
- Internal Medicine, Saiseikai Kanazawa Hospital, Kanazawa, JPN
| | - Shigeto Horita
- Internal Medicine, Saiseikai Kanazawa Hospital, Kanazawa, JPN
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2
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Suzuki S, Kataoka Y, Otani T, Taniguchi Y, Ikeda K, Tamura N, Morimoto S. Optimal time of starting tocilizumab in acute phase of adult-onset Still's disease and comparison of its efficacy with that of methotrexate: a case series and a review of the literature. Clin Rheumatol 2024; 43:1245-1251. [PMID: 38342797 PMCID: PMC10876494 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-024-06905-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
Adult-onset still's disease is a rare condition that is generally treated by glucocorticoids. Importantly, due to the limited established treatments, glucocorticoid-refractory cases are particularly difficult to treat. Between December 2009 and August 2022, nine patients with adult-onset Still's disease were treated with tocilizumab (tocilizumab group). The therapeutic efficacy and safety of tocilizumab initiation in the acute phase were evaluated in cases of initial onset and recurrence. We also compared the efficacy of tocilizumab with that of methotrexate (methotrexate group, n = 13), which has been the drug of choice for adjunctive therapy. Tocilizumab demonstrated the expected efficacy in all four patients who received it at relapse and in three of the five patients who received it at the initial onset. However, two patients developed macrophage activation syndrome following treatment. A comparison of treatment effects between the methotrexate and tocilizumab groups revealed that the ferritin and C-reactive protein levels, severity score, and glucocorticoid doses decreased over time in both groups; nonetheless, the tocilizumab group experienced a more stable effect. Tocilizumab is undoubtedly a valuable treatment option for adult-onset Still's disease, especially when administered at relapse. This suggests that it shows both high safety and good efficacy. Nevertheless, a larger sample size is required to validate the efficacy and safety of tocilizumab compared with those of the existing alternatives. Key Points • We examined the significance of TCZ in terms of therapeutic efficacy, reduction in glucocorticoid usage, and safety in patients with AOSD. • We compared the therapeutic efficacy of TCZ with that of MTX, which is often used to treat glucocorticoid-resistant AOSD. • TCZ is undoubtedly a valuable treatment option for AOSD, especially when administered at relapse, suggesting both high safety and good efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Suzuki
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital, Chiba, Japan.
| | - Yuko Kataoka
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Tomoya Otani
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yukino Taniguchi
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Keigo Ikeda
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Naoto Tamura
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinji Morimoto
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital, Chiba, Japan
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3
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Adachi S, Takase-Minegishi K, Maeda A, Nagai H, Horita N, Yoshimi R, Kirino Y, Nakajima H. Risk of Macrophage Activation Syndrome in Patients with Adult-Onset Still's Disease Treated with IL-1 and IL-6 Inhibitors: A Meta-analysis and Single-Center Experience. Rheumatol Ther 2023; 10:1623-1636. [PMID: 37794210 PMCID: PMC10654298 DOI: 10.1007/s40744-023-00600-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Patients with adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) are at risk of developing macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), a life-threatening condition. Some cases of MAS have been reported following the use of biological agents, highlighting the need to identify contributing factors. This study aims to examine the characteristics of MAS in patients with AOSD treated with anakinra (ANA) or tocilizumab (TCZ). METHODS A systematic search was conducted across four online databases to identify studies reporting the incidence rates of MAS in patients with AOSD treated with ANA or TCZ. Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model and the generic inverse variance method to estimate the pooled incidence rates. The difference in incidence rates of MAS between TCZ and ANA was assessed. Additionally, we analyzed laboratory data and clinical features of AOSD cases at our institution, stratifying them into two groups: those who developed MAS after TCZ administration and those who did not. RESULTS Of the 455 screened articles, we included five ANA and six TCZ studies. The pooled incidence rates of MAS were 1.50% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0-3.36) for ANA (345 patients) and 14.01% (95% CI 4.51-23.51) for TCZ (94 patients). MAS incidence was significantly higher in the TCZ group (P = 0.01). Among the 17 patients from our institution, the six patients who developed MAS had significantly higher white blood cell and neutrophil counts, as well as elevated levels of lactate dehydrogenase, C-reactive protein, and ferritin before TCZ induction (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS In patients with AOSD, the manifestation of MAS is influenced by multiple causative factors. Consequently, the administration of TCZ should be approached with caution, particularly in patients exhibiting elevated inflammatory markers. TRIAL REGISTRATION This study was registered with the Clinical Trial Registry of the University Hospital Medical Information Network (Japan) as UMIN000049243.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soichiro Adachi
- Department of Stem Cell and Immune Regulation, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-Ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Kaoru Takase-Minegishi
- Department of Stem Cell and Immune Regulation, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-Ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan.
| | - Ayaka Maeda
- Department of Stem Cell and Immune Regulation, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-Ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Hideto Nagai
- Department of Stem Cell and Immune Regulation, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-Ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Horita
- Chemotherapy Center, Yokohama City University Hospital, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Ryusuke Yoshimi
- Department of Stem Cell and Immune Regulation, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-Ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Yohei Kirino
- Department of Stem Cell and Immune Regulation, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-Ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Hideaki Nakajima
- Department of Stem Cell and Immune Regulation, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-Ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan
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4
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Rocco JM, Inglefield J, Yates B, Lichtenstein DA, Wang Y, Goffin L, Filipovic D, Schiffrin EJ, Shah NN. Free interleukin-18 is elevated in CD22 CAR T-cell-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis-like toxicities. Blood Adv 2023; 7:6134-6139. [PMID: 37389815 PMCID: PMC10582359 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023010708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M. Rocco
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Jon Inglefield
- Applied Developmental Research Directorate, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD
| | - Bonnie Yates
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Daniel A. Lichtenstein
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Yanyu Wang
- Applied Developmental Research Directorate, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD
| | | | | | | | - Nirali N. Shah
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
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Liu DX, Pahar B, Cooper TK, Perry DL, Xu H, Huzella LM, Adams RD, Hischak AMW, Hart RJ, Bernbaum R, Rivera D, Anthony S, Claire MS, Byrum R, Cooper K, Reeder R, Kurtz J, Hadley K, Wada J, Crozier I, Worwa G, Bennett RS, Warren T, Holbrook MR, Schmaljohn CS, Hensley LE. Ebola Virus Disease Features Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis/Macrophage Activation Syndrome in the Rhesus Macaque Model. J Infect Dis 2023; 228:371-382. [PMID: 37279544 PMCID: PMC10428198 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiad203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ebola virus (EBOV) disease (EVD) is one of the most severe and fatal viral hemorrhagic fevers and appears to mimic many clinical and laboratory manifestations of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis syndrome (HLS), also known as macrophage activation syndrome. However, a clear association is yet to be firmly established for effective host-targeted, immunomodulatory therapeutic approaches to improve outcomes in patients with severe EVD. METHODS Twenty-four rhesus monkeys were exposed intramuscularly to the EBOV Kikwit isolate and euthanized at prescheduled time points or when they reached the end-stage disease criteria. Three additional monkeys were mock-exposed and used as uninfected controls. RESULTS EBOV-exposed monkeys presented with clinicopathologic features of HLS, including fever, multiple organomegaly, pancytopenia, hemophagocytosis, hyperfibrinogenemia with disseminated intravascular coagulation, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercytokinemia, increased concentrations of soluble CD163 and CD25 in serum, and the loss of activated natural killer cells. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that EVD in the rhesus macaque model mimics pathophysiologic features of HLS/macrophage activation syndrome. Hence, regulating inflammation and immune function might provide an effective treatment for controlling the pathogenesis of acute EVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- David X Liu
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Bapi Pahar
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Timothy K Cooper
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Donna L Perry
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Huanbin Xu
- Department of Comparative Pathology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, Louisiana, USA
| | - Louis M Huzella
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Ricky D Adams
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Amanda M W Hischak
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Randy J Hart
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Rebecca Bernbaum
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Deja Rivera
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Scott Anthony
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Marisa St Claire
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Russell Byrum
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Kurt Cooper
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Rebecca Reeder
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Jonathan Kurtz
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Kyra Hadley
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Jiro Wada
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Ian Crozier
- Clinical Monitoring Research Program Directorate, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Gabriella Worwa
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Richard S Bennett
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Travis Warren
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Michael R Holbrook
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Connie S Schmaljohn
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Lisa E Hensley
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
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Chen S, Zhang C, Chen D, Dong L, Chang T, Tang ZH. Advances in attractive therapeutic approach for macrophage activation syndrome in COVID-19. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1200289. [PMID: 37483597 PMCID: PMC10358730 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1200289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, people have relaxed their vigilance against COVID-19 due to its declining infection numbers and attenuated virulence. However, COVID-19 still needs to be concern due to its emerging variants, the relaxation of restrictions as well as breakthrough infections. During the period of the COVID-19 infection, the imbalanced and hyper-responsive immune system plays a critical role in its pathogenesis. Macrophage Activation Syndrome (MAS) is a fatal complication of immune system disease, which is caused by the excessive activation and proliferation of macrophages and cytotoxic T cells (CTL). COVID-19-related hyperinflammation shares common clinical features with the above MAS symptoms, such as hypercytokinemia, hyperferritinemia, and coagulopathy. In MAS, immune exhaustion or defective anti-viral responses leads to the inadequate cytolytic capacity of CTL which contributes to prolonged interaction between CTL, APCs and macrophages. It is possible that the same process also occurred in COVID-19 patients, and further led to a cytokine storm confined to the lungs. It is associated with the poor prognosis of severe patients such as multiple organ failure and even death. The main difference of cytokine storm is that in COVID-19 pneumonia is mainly the specific damage of the lung, while in MAS is easy to develop into a systemic. The attractive therapeutic approach to prevent MAS in COVID-19 mainly includes antiviral, antibiotics, convalescent plasma (CP) therapy and hemadsorption, extensive immunosuppressive agents, and cytokine-targeted therapies. Here, we discuss the role of the therapeutic approaches mentioned above in the two diseases. And we found that the treatment effect of the same therapeutic approach is different.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunyao Chen
- Department of Trauma Surgery, Emergency Surgery & Surgical Critical, Tongji Trauma Center, Wuhan, China
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Cong Zhang
- Department of Trauma Surgery, Emergency Surgery & Surgical Critical, Tongji Trauma Center, Wuhan, China
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Deng Chen
- Department of Trauma Surgery, Emergency Surgery & Surgical Critical, Tongji Trauma Center, Wuhan, China
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Liming Dong
- Department of Trauma Surgery, Emergency Surgery & Surgical Critical, Tongji Trauma Center, Wuhan, China
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Teding Chang
- Department of Trauma Surgery, Emergency Surgery & Surgical Critical, Tongji Trauma Center, Wuhan, China
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhao-Hui Tang
- Department of Trauma Surgery, Emergency Surgery & Surgical Critical, Tongji Trauma Center, Wuhan, China
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Naniwa T, Yamabe T, Ohmura SI, Uehara K, Tamechika SY, Maeda S, Isogai S, Wada J. Baseline clinical features predicting macrophage activation syndrome in patients with systemic adult-onset Still's disease receiving interleukin-6 inhibitor treatment. Int J Rheum Dis 2022; 25:1003-1012. [PMID: 35719030 DOI: 10.1111/1756-185x.14371] [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: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIM Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), a severe complication of systemic adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD), has been reported to occur during interleukin-6 (IL-6) inhibitor treatment. However, predictors for MAS development are unknown. Therefore, this study investigated predictive features for MAS development after starting IL-6 inhibitor treatment in systemic AOSD patients. METHOD In a single-center retrospective study involving systemic AOSD patients who were refractory to high-dose glucocorticoids with immunosuppressants and started IL-6 inhibitor treatment between April 2008 and March 2020, we compared the baseline clinical features between patients who developed AOSD flare with MAS features (MAS group) and those who did not (non-MAS group) during IL-6 inhibitor treatment. RESULTS Only tocilizumab was used as an IL-6 inhibitor. Six of 14 refractory systemic AOSD patients developed AOSD flares with MAS features during tocilizumab treatment, including 4 who developed them shortly after initiation. The MAS group had significantly lower neutrophil counts, fibrinogen, and higher IL-18/C-reactive protein (CRP) ratio at starting tocilizumab (baseline) than the non-MAS group. Before starting tocilizumab, neutrophil counts were trending downward and upward in the MAS and non-MAS groups, respectively, with significant differences in changes. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that baseline neutrophil counts and fibrinogen and their changes before tocilizumab treatment and baseline IL-18/CRP ratio had significant discriminatory abilities for subsequent MAS development. CONCLUSION We identified baseline laboratory features associated with MAS development after initiating an IL-6 inhibitor in refractory systemic AOSD patients. These features may reflect the suppression of IL-6 signaling, and further suppression of IL-6 signaling might trigger early-onset MAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taio Naniwa
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nagoya City University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Toru Yamabe
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nagoya City University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichiro Ohmura
- Department of Rheumatology, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Koji Uehara
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nagoya City University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shin-Ya Tamechika
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nagoya City University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shinji Maeda
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nagoya City University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shuntaro Isogai
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nagoya City University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Junichi Wada
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan.,Department of Rheumatology, Toyokawa City Hospital, Toyokawa, Japan
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8
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Lee JH, Ha YJ, Kang EH, Chang SH, Lee YJ, sup, 3, sup. A Case of Macrophage Activation Syndrome During the Treatment of Adult-onset Still's Disease With Tocilizumab. JOURNAL OF RHEUMATIC DISEASES 2022; 29:123-128. [PMID: 37475901 PMCID: PMC10327616 DOI: 10.4078/jrd.2022.29.2.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a fatal complication of adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD). Although anti-cytokine agents have been recommended for refractory AOSD or complicated with MAS, MAS cases have been rarely reported during anti-cytokine treatment. Herein, we describe the first AOSD case complicated with MAS during the treatment with tocilizumab in Korea. Two years after tocilizumab maintenance therapy, high fever and hypertransaminasemia recurred. MAS was diagnosed based on hyperferritinemia, elevated soluble IL-2 receptor levels, and the presence of hemophagocytic histiocytes in the bone marrow. However, she had normal white blood cell counts and acute phase reactant levels. High-dose glucocorticoid and anakinra therapies were not effective, but her disease improved with etoposide. This case shows that tocilizumab may not prevent MAS development and can modify clinical features making it challenging to diagnose. Cytotoxic therapy such as etoposide may be required in MAS cases that develop during anti-cytokine therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju Ho Lee
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
| | - You-Jung Ha
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Eun Ha Kang
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Sung Hae Chang
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea
| | - Yun Jong Lee
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
| | - sup
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
| | - 3
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
| | - sup
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
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9
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Tang KT, Hsieh CW, Chen HH, Chen YM, Chang SH, Huang PH, Lan JL, Chen DY. The effectiveness of tocilizumab in treating refractory adult-onset Still's disease with dichotomous phenotypes: IL-18 is a potential predictor of therapeutic response. Clin Rheumatol 2021; 41:557-566. [PMID: 34535869 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-021-05921-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) is a systemic inflammatory disorder with clinical heterogeneity. Although tocilizumab (TCZ), an interleukin (IL)-6 receptor inhibitor, is an effective treatment for AOSD, the evidence regarding its efficacy on systemic or articular subtypes is conflicting. Furthermore, the predictors of therapeutic response are still elusive and worthy of exploration. METHODS This two-center retrospective study analyzed the effectiveness and safety profile of TCZ treatment in 28 patients with refractory AOSD. The 28-joint disease activity score (DAS28) and systemic activity score were assessed before and during TCZ treatment period at weeks 12, 24, 36, and 48. Plasma levels of proinflammatory cytokines at baseline were determined using ELISA method. RESULTS Among the systemic subtype patients, 10 (58.8%), 13 (76.5%), 14 (82.4%), and 15 (88.2%) patients achieved complete remission at week 12, 24, 36, and 48, respectively, in comparison to 2 (22.2%), 5 (55.6%), 6 (66.7%), and 7 (77.8%) who achieved disease remission (DAS28 < 2.6) at weeks 12, 24, 36, and 48, respectively, among articular subtype patients. The systemic activity scores and inflammatory parameters were significantly decreased after 12-week TCZ therapy, and TCZ could significantly reduce corticosteroid dose in AOSD patients. Multivariate analysis reveals that baseline IL-18 level is a significant predictor of poor therapeutic response at week 24 (odds ratio 7.86, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION AOSD patients refractory to high-dose corticosteroids and methotrexate may respond well to TCZ treatment with a steroid-sparing effect and an acceptable safety. A high baseline IL-18 level may be a predictor of poor therapeutic response. Key Points • Tocilizumab may be effective and well-tolerated in refractory AOSD patients regardless of disease subtypes. • High plasma levels of IL-18 may predict poor response to tocilizumab in AOSD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuo-Tung Tang
- Ph.D. Program in Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,Faculty of Medicine, National Yang Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Wei Hsieh
- Ph.D. Program in Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Hua Chen
- Ph.D. Program in Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Faculty of Medicine, National Yang Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Industrial Engineering and Enterprise Information, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ming Chen
- Ph.D. Program in Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,Faculty of Medicine, National Yang Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Hsin Chang
- Ph.D. Program in Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Rheumatology and Immunology Center, China Medical University Hospital, No. 2, Yude Road, Taichung, 40447, Taiwan.,College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Po-Hao Huang
- Rheumatology and Immunology Center, China Medical University Hospital, No. 2, Yude Road, Taichung, 40447, Taiwan.,College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Joung-Liang Lan
- Rheumatology and Immunology Center, China Medical University Hospital, No. 2, Yude Road, Taichung, 40447, Taiwan.,College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Der-Yuan Chen
- Ph.D. Program in Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan. .,Rheumatology and Immunology Center, China Medical University Hospital, No. 2, Yude Road, Taichung, 40447, Taiwan. .,College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. .,Translational Medicine Laboratory, Rheumatology and Immunology Center, Taichung, Taiwan.
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