Safety issues of biologics in pregnant patients with rheumatic diseases

A long-acting anti-IL-8 antibody improves inflammation and fibrosis in endometriosis

Current pharmacological treatments for endometriosis are limited to hormonal agents that can relieve pain but cannot cure the disease. Therefore, the development of a disease-modifying drug for endometriosis is an unmet medical need. By studying human endometriotic samples, we found that the progression of endometriosis was associated with the development of inflammation and fibrosis. In addition, IL-8 expression was highly up-regulated in endometriotic tissues and closely correlated with disease progression. We created a long-acting recycling antibody against IL-8 (AMY109) and evaluated its clinical potency. Because rodents do not produce IL-8 and do not experience menstruation, we analyzed the lesions in cynomolgus monkeys that spontaneously developed endometriosis and in a surgically induced endometriosis monkey model. Both spontaneously developed and surgically induced endometriotic lesions demonstrated pathophysiology that was highly similar to that of human endometriosis. Once-a-month subcutaneous injection of AMY109 to monkeys with surgically induced endometriosis reduced the volume of nodular lesions, lowered the Revised American Society for Reproductive Medicine score as modified for monkeys, and ameliorated fibrosis and adhesions. In addition, experiments using cells derived from human endometriosis revealed that AMY109 inhibited the recruitment of neutrophils to endometriotic lesions and the production of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 from neutrophils. Thus, AMY109 may represent a disease-modifying therapy for patients with endometriosis.

Outcomes of Prospectively Followed Pregnancies in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Multicenter Study from Romania

Women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may carry an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO). The aims of this study were to compare pregnancy outcomes in RA patients as compared to the general obstetric population (GOP) and to identify a risk profile in RA. A case-control study was conducted on 82 prospectively followed pregnancies in RA and 299 pregnancies from the GOP. The mean age at conception was 31.50 ± 4.5 years, with a mean disease duration of 8.96 ± 6.3 years. The frequency of APO in RA patients was 41.5%, 18.3% experienced spontaneous abortions, 11.0% underwent preterm deliveries, 7.3% had small for gestational age infants, 4.9% experienced intrauterine growth restriction, 1.2% experienced stillbirth, and 1.2% suffered from eclampsia. The risk of APO was correlated with a maternal age higher than 35 years (p = 0.028, OR = 5.59). The rate of planned pregnancies was 76.8%, and the subfertility rate was 4.9%. Disease activity improved every trimester, and approximately 20% experienced an improvement in the second trimester. Planned pregnancies and corticosteroids use (≤10 mg daily) were protective factors for APO in RA pregnancies (p < 0.001, OR = 0.12, p = 0.016, OR = 0.19, respectively). There was no significant association between APO and disease activity or DMARDs used before and during pregnancy. Regarding the comparison between the RA group and the controls, RA mothers were significantly older (p = 0.001), had shorter pregnancies (p < 0.001), and had neonates with a lower birth weight (p < 0.001).

Planned Pregnancy in Kidney Transplantation. A Calculated Risk

Pregnancy is not contraindicated in kidney transplant women but entails risks of maternal and fetal complications. Three main conditions can influence the outcome of pregnancy in transplant women: preconception counseling, maternal medical management, and correct use of drugs to prevent fetal toxicity. Preconception counseling is needed to prevent the risks of an unplanned untimely pregnancy. Pregnancy should be planned ≥2 years after transplantation. The candidate for pregnancy should have normal blood pressure, stable serum creatinine <1.5 mg/dL, and proteinuria <500 mg/24 h. Maternal medical management is critical for early detection and treatment of complications such as hypertension, preeclampsia, thrombotic microangiopathy, graft dysfunction, gestational diabetes, and infection. These adverse outcomes are strongly related to the degree of kidney dysfunction. A major issue is represented by the potential fetotoxicity of drugs. Moderate doses of glucocorticoids, azathioprine, and mTOR inhibitors are relatively safe. Calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) are not associated with teratogenicity but may increase the risk of low birth weight. Rituximab and eculizumab should be used in pregnancy only if the benefits outweigh the risk for the fetus. Renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, mycophenolate, bortezomib, and cyclophosphamide can lead to fetal toxicity and should not be prescribed to pregnant women.

Biologics for atopic diseases: Indication, side effect management, and new developments

With the advent of biologicals, more and more therapeutics are available that specifically address specific switch points in the pathomechanism of immunologically dominated diseases. Thus, the focus of diagnostics and therapy (precision medicine) is more on the individual disease characteristics of the individual patient. Regarding the different phenotypes of atopic diseases, severe asthma was the first entity for which biologicals were approved, followed by urticaria, and finally atopic dermatitis and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. Experience in the treatment of severe bronchial asthma has shown that the intensity of the response to biological therapy depends on the quality of clinical and immunological phenotyping of the patients. This also applies to different diseases of the atopic form, as patients can suffer from several atopic diseases at the same time, each with different characteristics. Biologics are already emerging that may represent a suitable therapy for allergic bronchial asthma, which often occurs together with severe neurodermatitis, and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. In practice, however, the question of possible combinations of biologicals for the therapy of complex clinical pictures of individual patients is increasingly arising. In doing so, the side effect profile must be taken into account, including hypersensitivity reactions, whose diagnostic and logistical management must aim at a safe and efficient therapy of the underlying disease. Increased attention must also be paid to biological therapy in pregnancy and planned (predictable) vaccinations as well as existing infections, such as SARS-CoV-2 infection. Before starting a biological therapy, the immune status should be checked with regard to chronic viral and bacterial infections and, if necessary, the vaccination status should be refreshed or missing vaccinations should be made up for before starting therapy. Currently, reliable data on the effect of biologicals on the immunological situation of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 are not available. Therefore, research and development of suitable diagnostic methods for detection of immunologically caused side effects as well as detection of potential therapy responders and non-responders is of great importance.

Anti-CD20 therapies and pregnancy in neuroimmunologic disorders: A cohort study from Germany

OBJECTIVE

To report pregnancy outcomes and disease activity (DA) in women with MS, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSDs), and other neuroimmunologic diseases (ONID) after treatment with rituximab (RTX)/ocrelizumab (OCR) 12 months before or during pregnancy.

METHODS

Data were collected in the German MS and pregnancy registry and centers from the Neuromyelitis Optica Study Group. Sixty-eight known outcomes of 88 pregnancies from 81 women (64 MS, 10 NMOSD, and 7 ONID) were included and stratified in 3 exposure groups: >6M-group = RTX/OCR >6 but ≤12 months before the last menstrual period (LMP) (n = 8); <6M group = RTX/OCR <6 months before the LMP (n = 47); preg group = RTX/OCR after the LMP (n = 13).

RESULTS

Pregnancy outcomes were similar between groups, but significantly more preterm births (9.8% vs 45%) occurred after exposure during pregnancy. Overall, 2 major congenital abnormalities (3.3%), both in the preg group, were observed. Three women had severe infections during pregnancy. All women with MS (35) and 12/13 women with NMOSD, RTX/OCR exposure before the LMP and known pregnancy outcomes after gestational week 22 were relapse free during pregnancy. Five of 29 (17.2%) women with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and 1 of 12 (8.3%) with NMOSD and at least 6 months postpartum follow-up experienced a relapse postpartum. Duration of RTX/OCR and early retreatment but not detection of B-cells were possible predictors for postpartum relapses in patients with RRMS/NMOSD.

CONCLUSIONS

Although RTX/OCR might be an interesting option for women with RRMS/NMOSD who plan to become pregnant to control DA, more data on pregnancy outcomes and rare risks are needed.

Treatment of Autoimmune Bullous Diseases During Pregnancy and Lactation: A Review Focusing on Pemphigus and Pemphigoid Gestationis

Pregnancy may induce the onset or exacerbation of autoimmune bullous diseases such as pemphigus or pemphigoid gestationis. A shift toward T helper (Th) 2 immune response and the influence of hormonal changes have been evoked as possible triggering factors. Therapeutic management of this setting of patients may represent a challenge, mainly due to safety concerns of some immunosuppressive drugs during pregnancy and lactation. In this narrative review, we provided a comprehensive overview of the therapeutic management of autoimmune bullous diseases in pregnant and breastfeeding women, focusing on pemphigus and pemphigoid gestationis.

Does Abatacept Induce Testicular Toxicity?

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to demonstrate the effect of subcutaneous injections of abatacept on the histology of testes in mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included 20 male BALB/c mice (average weight, 25 g; aged 12-14 weeks). Ten mice received subcutaneous (SC) injections of abatacept [0.25 mg per 25 g body weight per 0.03 mL normal saline (NS)] at zero, two, four and eight weeks. As the control group, 10 mice received SC injections of NS (0.03 mL). At the post-injection 10th week, the mice were sacrificed, and histopathological studies were conducted.

RESULTS

The results showed that 3/10 mice died of the abatacept-treated group. Testicular histology for the abatacept-treated group showed that 7/7 displayed no histopathological changes.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this is the first control-blinded study of BALB/c mice suggesting that abatacept may not have testicular toxicity. Further fertility and testicular toxicology evaluations including semen analysis and gonadal hormones should be performed to clarify our findings.

Effect of biologicals and JAK inhibitors during pregnancy on health-related outcomes in children of women with inflammatory bowel disease

Current guidelines advise to maintain immunomodulators and biologicals in pregnant patients because relapse of inflammatory bowel is associated with unfavourable pregnancy outcome. With the exception of Methotrexate, IBD therapy seems not to be related to an increase of congenital malformations or infections requiring hospitalisation of the babies, although the effect the on the developing immune system of the exposed infants remains unknown. In this review we will focus on the effect of IBD drugs on health-related outcomes in children taking into account possible long-term effects of biologicals and immunomodulators, which are transferred across the placenta.

Serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels in women with rheumatoid arthritis during tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitor treatment: Exploratory research

Background

We evaluated serum anti-Müllerian hormone in women with rheumatoid arthritis newly introduced to tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitor treatment for 54 weeks to investigate the treatment's effect on ovarian reserve.

Methods

A total of 12 premenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis aged 20-50 years were recruited at our division, who had been newly treated with tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitor (infliximab or etanercept) from 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2014. Serial serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels and disease activity scores (DAS28-CRP) were examined at defined periods: start of treatment and 14, 30, and 54 weeks after start of treatment.

Results

DAS28-CRP scores in 12 women were significantly decreased from a mean of 4.6 (±SD: 0.4) to 2.3 (±0.4) after 54 weeks of treatment (p < 0.001). Serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels and its z scores did not change significantly.

Conclusion

Treatment with a tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitor did not affect serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels in 12 women with rheumatoid arthritis during 54-week treatment.

New changes in pregnancy and lactation labelling: Review of dermatologic drugs

Background

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has published new pregnancy and lactation labelling rules that set standards on the presentation of information with regard to drug usage during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as the effects on fertility. These guidelines became effective June 30, 2015, and classified the risks of using prescription drugs during pregnancy in three detailed subsections: Pregnancy, Lactation, and Females and Males of Reproductive Potential. These sections describe the risks within a real-world context of caring for these patients.

Objective

In this study, we reclassified and categorized drugs and treatments commonly used in dermatology according to these new guidelines.

Methods

We performed a search of the medical literature about the use of relevant prescription drugs during pregnancy and breastfeeding and their effect on fertility. The search included prospective and retrospective studies, review articles from PubMed-indexed journals (from inception to November 2018), U.S. Food and Drug Administration records, pregnancy exposure registries, relevant information and studies provided in drug labeling by companies, and updated pharmacologic texts and guidelines up to 2018.

Results

Topical immunomodulators, systemic immunomodulators (including biologics), systemic antipruritic agents, antimicrobials, as well as acne, hair, and cosmetic agents were included. We have made best attempts to review and consolidate existing and new data and include them in our guide.

Conclusion

This new narrative format facilitates prescribing by considering a variety of factors. One previously overlooked aspect was the impact on the reproductive potential of both male and female patients. Rather than depending on overly simplistic letter risk categories, dermatologists will now need to make prescribing decisions based on each patient and the information provided, which will allow for better decision making and patient care.

Fetal Toxicity of Immunosuppressive Drugs in Pregnancy

Women affected by autoimmune diseases, organ transplantation, or neoplasia need to continue immunosuppressive treatment during pregnancy. In this setting, not only a careful planning of pregnancy, but also the choice of drugs is critical to preventing maternal complications and minimizing the fetal risks. Some immunosuppressive drugs are teratogenic and should be replaced even before the pregnancy, while other drugs need to be managed with caution to prevent fetal risks, including miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, prematurity, and low birth weight. In particular, the increasing use of biologic agents raises the question of their compatibility with reproduction. In this review we present data on the indication and safety in pregnancy of the most frequently used immunosuppressive drugs.

Special aspects of biologics treatment in psoriasis: management in pregnancy, lactation, surgery, renal impairment, hepatitis and tuberculosis

Background of the article: Biologics are modern immunomodulatory drugs, whose use in the treatment of psoriasis has led to remarkable results in psoriatic patients. The administration of these agents in special population groups, such as patients with chronic infections and renal impairment, as well as perioperative, pregnant or lactating patients, has not been thoroughly addressed, mostly because these patients are excluded from clinical studies. Materials and methods: This report is an updated systematic overview of the use of biologics in the above-mentioned types of patients and was conducted according to the PRISMA Guidelines for systematic reviews. Articles derived from the databases PubMed, EMBASE and SCOPUS, published between 1999 and 2018, were analyzed for the study. Results: Research efforts as well as clinical reporting are necessary in order to provide more insight on the management of these therapeutic dilemmas. Conclusion: The aim of this review, other than providing a summarized update on the clinical knowledge on this special topic, is also to raise awareness for the need to conduct larger systematic studies in order to adequately evaluate the use of biologics in these special patient categories and therefore draw definite conclusions on their safety profile.

Use of synthetic and biologic DMARDs during pregnancy

Introduction: Since most of the autoimmune diseases (AID) affect mostly women in their fertile years, and fertility is in general preserved, the use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) during conception, pregnancy, and lactation has been a matter of concern in the treatment of women affected by AID. Areas covered: We performed a comprehensive review of the latest and most relevant research papers published in the field and discussed different aspects related to the use of synthetic and biologic DMARDs and immunosuppressants in the preconceptional period, during pregnancy and lactation in AID patients, both in males and females. Expert commentary: Active AID impose an increased risk for adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, such as preeclampsia, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, prematurity, low birth weight, and stillbirth. Family planning with proper contraception and shared decision-making on the ideal time to conceive with treatment adjustment must be a rule. One of the main challenges when counseling and/or adjusting treatment of patients that are planning a pregnancy is to provide a medication that is at the same time efficacious and safe at the conceptional period and to developing the fetus.

Pregnant women with inflammatory bowel disease: the effects of biologicals on pregnancy, outcome of infants, and the developing immune system

Relapse of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) during conception and pregnancy has been associated with a negative pregnancy outcome. Therefore, it is advised to maintain drugs in order to prevent relapse. The effect of drugs, which cross the placenta, on children who have been exposed during pregnancy will be discussed in this review. Areas covered: A literature search was performed using the following search terms: inflammatory bowel disease, pregnancy, infant, antitumor necrosis factor alpha, infliximab, adalimumab, golimumab, certolizumab, anti-integrins, vedolizumab, anti-interleukin (IL)-12/23 ustekinumab, placenta, vaccination. Other studies were identified by using references from articles identified through our original literature search. The occurrence of unfavorable pregnancy outcome and congenital malformations does not seem to be increased after exposure to anti-TNFα, but the effects on the developing immune system are largely unknown. For anti-integrins and anti IL-12/23, the numbers of exposed pregnancies are too small to draw any conclusions. Expert commentary: Follow-up of the developing immune system in children exposed to these drugs seems warranted, preferably in a prospective study design.

A practical approach to vaccination of patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases in Australia

Autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRD), such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis are often complicated by infection, which results in significant morbidity and mortality. The increased risk of infection is probably due to a combination of immunosuppressive effects of the AIIRD, comorbidities and the use of immunosuppressive conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and more recently, targeted synthetic DMARDs and biologic DMARDs that block specific pro-inflammatory enzymes, cytokines or cell types. The use of these various DMARDs has revolutionised the treatment of AIIRD. This has led to a marked improvement in quality of life for AIIRD patients, who often now travel for prolonged periods. Many infections are preventable with vaccination. However, as protective immune responses induced by vaccination may be impaired by immunosuppression, where possible, vaccination may need to be performed prior to initiation of immunosuppression. Vaccination status should also be reviewed when planning overseas travel. Limited data regarding vaccine efficacy in patients with AIIRD make prescriptive guidelines difficult. However, a vaccination history should be part of the initial work-up in all AIIRD patients. Those caring for AIIRD patients should regularly consider vaccination to prevent infection within the practicalities of routine clinical practice.

B-cell Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis: Entering an era

Monoclonal antibodies that target CD20 expressing B cells represent an important new treatment option for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). B-cell-depleting therapy is highly effective against relapsing forms of the disease and is also the first treatment approach proven to protect against disability worsening in primary progressive MS. Moreover, evolving clinical experience with B-cell therapy, combined with a more sophisticated understanding of humoral immunity in preclinical models and in patients with MS, has led to major progress in deciphering the immune pathogenesis of MS. Here, we review the nuanced roles of B cells in MS autoimmunity, the clinical data supporting use of ocrelizumab and other anti-CD20 therapies in the treatment of MS, as well as safety and practical considerations for prescribing. Last, we summarize remaining unanswered questions regarding the proper role of anti-CD20 therapy in MS, its limitations, and the future landscape of B-cell-based approaches to treatment. Ann Neurol 2018;83:13-26.

Improvements in Clinical Trials Information Will Improve the Reproductive Health and Fertility of Cancer Patients

There are a number of barriers that result in cancer patients not being referred for oncofertility care, which include knowledge about reproductive risks of antineoplastic agents. Without this information, clinicians do not always make recommendations for oncofertility care. The objective of this study was to describe the level of reproductive information and recommendations that clinicians have available in clinical trial protocols regarding oncofertility management and follow-up, and the information that patients may receive in clinical trials patient information sheets or consent forms. A literature review of the 71 antineoplastic drugs included in the 68 clinical trial protocols showed that 68% of the antineoplastic drugs had gonadotoxic animal data, 32% had gonadotoxic human data, 83% had teratogenic animal data, and 32% had teratogenic human data. When the clinical trial protocols were reviewed, only 22% of the protocols reported the teratogenic risks and 32% of the protocols reported the gonadotoxic risk. Only 56% of phase 3 protocols had gonadotoxic information and 13% of phase 3 protocols had teratogenic information. Nine percent of the protocols provided fertility preservation recommendations and 4% provided reproductive information in the follow-up and survivorship period. Twenty-six percent had a section in the clinical trials protocol, which identified oncofertility information easily. When gonadotoxic and teratogenic effects of treatment were known, they were not consistently included in the clinical trial protocols and the lack of data for new drugs was not reported. Very few protocols gave recommendations for oncofertility management and follow-up following the completion of cancer treatment. The research team proposes a number of recommendations that should be required for clinicians and pharmaceutical companies developing new trials.

Safety of anti-rheumatic drugs for rheumatoid arthritis in pregnancy and lactation

Women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are often of childbearing age and therefore questions regarding reproductive health and the use of medications, including disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) may arise during the clinical consultation. Each patient requires individual assessment in order to effectively manage the disease while minimizing any treatment-associated risks to the fetus. Although good-quality controlled trials are lacking, there is an increasing volume of evidence surrounding the use of immunosuppressive therapies in pregnancy and lactation. This review summarizes the currently available information which can be of benefit to clinicians guiding patients and their families through the risks and benefits of continuing RA therapy during pregnancy and lactation. Further studies and ongoing surveillance of drug safety in pregnancy are required to resolve the uncertainties that remain regarding synthetic and biologic DMARDs.

Management of women with multiple sclerosis through pregnancy and after childbirth

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a major acquired neurologic disease of young adults. The prototypic patient is a young woman of reproductive age. Gender preference is becoming more pronounced, since MS is increasing specifically among women. Any healthcare provider who deals with MS must be prepared to discuss pregnancy issues, and provide appropriate counseling. This is now complicated by the availability of multiple treatment options. There is growing literature on which to base recommendations, particularly regarding washout periods. After a brief background introduction, this review will discuss state-of-the-art family planning counseling in the treatment era, divided into prepregnancy, pregnancy, and postpartum MS issues.

Pregnancy outcome after tocilizumab therapy in early pregnancy-a case series from the German Embryotox Pharmacovigilance Center

Tocilizumab (TCZ) is not recommended for use during pregnancy due to limited data, but pregnancies nevertheless occur and pregnant women need to be counseled about potential fetal risks. Participants of this study were recruited from the pool of callers who spontaneously contact the pharmacovigilance center "Embryotox" Berlin for risk assessment during pregnancy. Of 22 identified cases with TCZ exposure during pregnancy, 16 prospectively enrolled cases with maternal and two cases with paternal TCZ therapy could be completed. The outcomes of the 16 maternal cases were: four spontaneous abortions (SAB), one induced abortion for personal reasons and 11 live-born infants. Congenital malformations were not recorded, but one SAB at week 15+3 days was complicated by hydrops fetalis of unknown origin. An incidental continuation of TCZ into early pregnancy does not justify an elective termination. However, a detailed prenatal ultrasound should be offered.

New systemic agents in dermatology with respect to fertility, pregnancy, and lactation

With the increasing use of new, predominantly biologic drugs in dermatology, questions frequently arise in clinical practice as to their safety in women wishing to conceive as well as during pregnancy and lactation. Apart from the Summary of Product Characteristics and the Physician's Desk Reference, reliable information may be obtained from databases such as the one compiled by the Center for Pharmacovigilance and Consultation on Embryonal Toxicology at Charité University Medical Center Berlin (https://www.embryotox.de). Another source of information is researching recent publications, for example via PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed). This article presents current knowledge from the sources mentioned above, and gives detailed information about the use of new biologic agents in women wishing to conceive as well as during pregnancy and lactation. Drugs reviewed include: infliximab, adalimumab, etanercept, metastatic for psoriasis, vemurafenib, dabrafenib, imatinib, ipilimumab for melanoma, vismodegib for basal cell carcinoma, rituximab for cutaneous lymphoma as well as omalizumab and anakinra used in the treatment of allergies.

Blockade of CD40 ligand for intercellular communication reduces hypertension, placental oxidative stress, and AT1-AA in response to adoptive transfer of CD4+ T lymphocytes from RUPP rats

Preeclampsia (PE) is associated with altered immune activation during pregnancy. We have previously shown that adoptive transfer of CD4(+) T cells from the reduced uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP) rat model of PE increases blood pressure, oxidative stress (ROS), and inflammation in normal pregnant recipient rats. The objective of this study was to determine if blockade of communication via the CD40-CD40 ligand (CD40L) interaction between placental ischemia-induced CD4(+) T cells with endogenous normal pregnant (NP) cells would improve pathophysiology that was previously observed in NP recipient rats of RUPP CD4(+) T cells. Splenic CD4(+) T lymphocytes were magnetically separated, incubated with 2.5 μg/ml anti-CD40 ligand (αCD40L) overnight, and transferred into NP rats on day 12 of gestation (NP+RUPP CD4(+) T+anti-CD40L). On day 19 of gestation, blood pressure (MAP), blood, and tissues were collected. MAP was 99 ± 2 in NP (n = 13), 116 ± 4 in NP+RUPP CD4(+) T cells (n = 7; P < 0.01); MAP only increased to 104 ± 2 in NP+RUPP CD4(+) T cells+CD40L (n = 24) (P < 0.05 vs. NP+RUPP CD4(+) T cells). Mechanisms of hypertension in response to RUPP CD4(+) T cells include endothelin-1 (ET-1), ROS, and angiotensin II type I receptor (AT1-AA) were analyzed. Inhibition of CD40L binding reduced placental ET-1 to 2.3-fold above NP rats and normalized placental ROS from 318.6 ± 89 in NP+RUPP CD4(+) T cells (P < 0.05) to 118.7 ± 24 in NP+RUPP CD4(+) T+anti-CD40L (P < 0.05). AT1-AA was also normalized with inhibition of CD40L. These data suggest that placental ischemia-induced T-cell communication via the CD40L is one important mechanism leading to much of the pathophysiology of PE.

Interdisciplinary exchange of ideas: progestagens for autoimmunity, biologics for pregnancy complications

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the role of immune, alloimmune and autoimmune processes in the pathogenesis of spontaneous preterm birth and recurrent pregnancy loss. The association between an inflammatory response and preterm labor has been established. Indeed, many women suffering from preterm labor have elevated inflammatory markers such as tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 6 and matrix metaloproeinase 8. The role of immune processes in the pathogenesis of recurrent pregnancy loss has also been widely researched. Progesterone induces many physiologic effects necessary for healthy pregnancy, and progestagens supplementation has been used as an approach to prevent preterm labor and recurrent pregnancy loss. Progestagens also have potent anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory actions. Because preterm labor and recurrent pregnancy loss are associated with abnormal inflammation, progestagens may maintain healthy pregnancy through both endocrine and immunologic actions. These immunologic actions, such as suppression of Th1- and Th17-related responses, enhancement of regulatory T cell (Tregs) activity and suppression of inflammation, may also be involved in pregnancy-induced remission of certain autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and multiple sclerosis (MS). Accordingly, there is growing interest in the potential therapeutic role of progestagens in the treatment of MS and RA. In this review, we suggest that biologic autoimmune modulators, especially those which affect immune pathways similar to progestagens, may provide more potent and specific effects, and hence better results than progestagens, in preventing preterm labor and recurrent pregnancy loss.

Antirheumatic drugs and reproduction in women and men with chronic arthritis

The impact of rheumatic disease on fertility and reproduction can be remarkable. Many disease-related factors can influence patients' sexual functioning, perturb fertility and limit family planning. Antirheumatic pharmacological treatment can also have a crucial role in this field. Proper counselling, preferably provided by a multidisciplinary team of rheumatologists, obstetricians, gynaecologists and neonatologists, is recommended for patients taking antirheumatic drugs, not only at the beginning, but also during the course of treatment. Paternal exposure to antirheumatic drugs was not found to be specifically associated with congenital malformation and adverse pregnancy outcome, therefore discontinuation of these drugs while planning for conception should be weighed against the risk of disease flare. Drugs in Food and Drug Administration (FDA) category 'X' should be withdrawn in a timely manner in women who desire a pregnancy. Meanwhile, disease control can be achieved with anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α agents, which are not teratogenic drugs. If maternal disease control is permissive, they can be stopped as soon as the pregnancy test turns positive and be resumed during pregnancy in case of a flare.

Use of biologic agents for rheumatic diseases in pregnancy

Biologic agents have ushered a new era in the treatment of inflammatory rheumatic diseases. In recent years, several biologic agents have been approved by food and drug administration and have significantly improved outcomes for patients with immune mediated inflammatory disorders including rheumatic and inflammatory bowel diseases. The most common used biologic therapeutic agents are tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab, certolizumab pegol, and golimumab), an interleukin (IL)-6 inhibitor (tocilizumab), an IL-1 receptor antagonist (anakinra), an anti-CD-20 antibody (rituximab), and a T cell co-stimulation modulator (abatacept). Their use during pregnancy has been controversial because of absence of controlled studies which have enrolled pregnant women. This brief overview provides published data on use of biologic agents for the treatment of rheumatic diseases in pregnancy.

Safety of biologic therapies during pregnancy in women with rheumatic disease

Inflammatory rheumatic diseases frequently affect women of childbearing age. Biologic therapy during pregnancy is an important topic that is yet unresolved. The majority of documented experiences are in case series, case reports, or registries. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors are now better known. Some evidence suggests that it is possible that differences between drugs regarding safety are associated with the structure and capacity to cross the placenta, but we are not aware of any study that supports unequivocally this statement. Most of the monoclonal antibodies are actively transferred to fetal circulation using the neonatal Fc receptor. Although this transfer does not appear to be associated with the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, or congenital abnormality, the rate of premature births and lower birth weight may be increased. During fetal development, the neonatal period, and childhood, the immune system is constantly maturing. The ability to produce cytokines in response to infectious stimulus remains low for years, but is similar to that of an adult around the age of 3 years owing to the adaptive nature of the newborn’s immune system as a result of exposure to microbes. Therefore, exposure to TNF inhibitors may have serious consequences on the newborn, such as severe infections or allergic reactions. Regarding the former, an anecdotal case report described a fatal case of disseminated bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) infection in an infant born to a mother taking infliximab for Crohn’s disease. Although the baby was born and progressed well initially, he died at 4.5 mo after he was vaccinated with BCG. Fortunately, serious infections do not appear to be frequent in newborns exposed to in utero biologic therapy. However, very limited short-term experiences are available regarding complications in an exposed fetus, and no data are available about long-term implications on the child’s developing immune system. Therefore, we must be aware of potential complications in later years. Although the clinical data to date are promising, no firm conclusions can be drawn about the safety of biologic drugs during pregnancy, and, without further evidence, guidelines that suggest these drugs should be avoided at the time of conception cannot yet be changed.

[Management of rheumatoid arthritis medications and pregnancy]

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects mainly women during their childbearing years. As aging of childbirth advances in Japan, women who plan pregnancy would increase after they developed RA. Recent findings showed that high disease activity of RA might impair fertility. Planning pregnancy is preferable after female patients achive and maintain low disease activity or remission of RA. Women on methotrexate, which is the anchor drug for RA, need to discontinue the medication with a high risk of causing birth defects during conception and pregnancy. Data of RA patients exposed TNF inhibitors during pregnancy has been accumulating in recent years. These data suggest that increased risk of spontaneous abortion and congenital abnomalies has not been observed. Although there is insufficient data about safety of breastfeeding while using TNF inhibitors, the secretion of the drugs in breast milk is very little and fetal toxicity has not been observed. Since long term safety of children exposed TNF inhibitors in uterus has not been established, we should discontinue the drugs as soon as pregnancy is recognized. TNF inhibitors may be an useful tools for management of active RA resistant to conventional DMARDs in women who desire to bear children.

State of the art: Reproduction and pregnancy in rheumatic diseases

Throughout the last decade, increasing awareness has been raised on issues related to reproduction in rheumatic diseases including basic research to clarify the important role of estrogens in the etiology and pathophysiology of immune/inflammatory diseases. Sub- or infertility is a heterogeneous condition that can be related to immunological mechanisms, to pregnancy loss, to disease burden, to therapy, and to choices in regard to family size. Progress in reproductive medicine has made it possible for more patients with rheumatic disease to have children. Active disease in women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects their children's birth weight and may have long-term effects on their future health status. Pregnancy complications as preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction are still increased in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), however, biomarkers can monitor adverse events, and several new therapies may improve outcomes. Pregnancies in women with APS remain a challenge, and better therapies for the obstetric APS are needed. New prospective studies indicate improved outcomes for pregnancies in women with rare diseases like systemic sclerosis and vasculitis. TNF inhibitors hold promise for maintaining remission in rheumatological patients and may be continued at least in the first half of pregnancy. Pre-conceptional counseling and interdisciplinary management of pregnancies are essential for ensuring optimal pregnancy outcomes.