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Chu CQ. Advances and challenges in management of large vessel vasculitis. RHEUMATOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH 2023; 4:188-195. [PMID: 38125643 PMCID: PMC10729599 DOI: 10.2478/rir-2023-0028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GC) remains the mainstay for management of large vessel vasculitis (LVV). Recent introduction of interleukin-6 signaling blocker, tocilizumab has substantially changed the practice in management of patients with LVV, in particular, giant cell arteritis (GCA). Benefit of tocilizumab to patients with Takayasu arteritis (TAK) is supported by observational studies, but randomized clinical trials are lacking. Addition of tocilizumab enables reduction of the total amount of GC in patients with GCA, but GC burden remains high and to be further reduced. Ongoing studies aim at minimal use of GC or even GC-free. Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors appear to be beneficial to TAK despite their ineffectiveness to GCA. Randomized clinical trials are undergoing to target other inflammatory cytokines in both GCA and TAK. Janus kinase inhibitors alone or in combination with conventional disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs showed promising results in treatment of TAK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong-Qiu Chu
- Division of Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases, Oregon Health & Science University, PortlandOregon 97239USA
- Rheumatology Section, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, PortlandOregon 97239USA
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Grazzini S, Conticini E, Falsetti P, D’Alessandro M, Sota J, Terribili R, Baldi C, Fabiani C, Bargagli E, Cantarini L, Frediani B. Tocilizumab Vs Methotrexate in a Cohort of Patients Affected by Active GCA: A Comparative Clinical and Ultrasonographic Study. Biologics 2023; 17:151-160. [PMID: 38059132 PMCID: PMC10697083 DOI: 10.2147/btt.s431818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Introduction No head-to-head study has assessed the superiority of tocilizumab versus methotrexate in giant cell arteritis (GCA), and few studies have demonstrated its effectiveness in terms of ultrasonographic findings, but without a control group. The primary endpoint was to assess whether tocilizumab was superior to methotrexate in inducing normalization of US findings, whereas the secondary endpoint was to assess the effectiveness of precocious withdrawal of glucocorticoids. Methods We prospectively enrolled all the patients with active GCA at our clinic. The inclusion criteria were clinical diagnosis of GCA; active disease; and clinical, laboratory, and US data, evaluated using the halo count (HC) and OMERACT GCA Ultrasonography Score (OGUS). Evaluations were repeated at 3, 6, and 12 months. Results Twenty patients were treated with Tocilizumab and 9 with Methotrexate. All but three tocilizumab-treated patients achieved remission at six months, whereas at 12 months, all patients were in glucocorticoid-free remission. Up to three of the nine methotrexate patients experienced a lack of efficacy or minor relapses. Tocilizumab-treated patients showed a statistically significant difference between baseline and all follow-ups in terms of OGUS and HC, whereas the difference in the Methotrexate group was significant after 1 year. The mean glucocorticoid dosage significantly decreased in both groups. No severe adverse events or major relapses were reported. Conclusion Our study demonstrates the superiority in terms of rapidity of a tocilizumab-based scheme over a methotrexate-based scheme in inducing clinical and US remission. Precocious withdrawal of glucocorticoids did not increase the risk of relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Grazzini
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Edoardo Conticini
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Paolo Falsetti
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Miriana D’Alessandro
- Respiratory Diseases and Lung Transplant Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Jurgen Sota
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Riccardo Terribili
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Caterina Baldi
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Claudia Fabiani
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Elena Bargagli
- Respiratory Diseases and Lung Transplant Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Luca Cantarini
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Bruno Frediani
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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Samec MJ, Rakholiya J, Langenfeld H, Crowson CS, Abril A, Wang B, Mertz L, Rodriguez-Pla A, Bansal P, Burke M, Jaquith J, Weyand C, Warrington KJ, Koster MJ. Relapse Risk and Safety of Long-Term Tocilizumab Use Among Patients With Giant Cell Arteritis: A Single-Enterprise Cohort Study. J Rheumatol 2023; 50:1310-1317. [PMID: 37321636 PMCID: PMC10543396 DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.2022-1214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the safety and efficacy of tocilizumab (TCZ) in giant cell arteritis (GCA) in a large North American cohort. METHODS Patients with GCA treated with TCZ between January 1, 2010, and May 15, 2020, were retrospectively identified. Kaplan-Meier methods were used to estimate time to TCZ discontinuation and time to first relapse after TCZ discontinuation. Poisson regression models were used to compare annualized relapse rates before, during, and after TCZ use. Age- and sex-adjusted risk factors associated with relapse on and off TCZ and development of adverse events of significant interest (AESIs) were examined using Cox models. RESULTS One hundred fourteen patients (60.5% female) were included with mean (SD) age 70.4 (8.2) years. Median duration from GCA diagnosis to TCZ start was 4.5 months. Median overall duration of TCZ treatment was 2.3 years. Relapse rate prior to TCZ start (0.84 relapses/person-year) was 3-fold reduced while on TCZ (0.28 relapses/person-year; P < 0.001) but increased to 0.64 relapses/person-year after TCZ discontinuation. Fifty-two patients stopped TCZ after a median of 16.8 months; 27 relapsed after discontinuation (median: 8.4 months; 58% relapsed within 12 months). Only 14.9% of patients stopped TCZ because of AESIs. Neither dose/route of TCZ, presence of large-vessel vasculitis, nor duration of TCZ therapy prior to discontinuation predicted relapse after TCZ stop. CONCLUSION TCZ is well tolerated in GCA, with low rates of discontinuation for AESIs. However, relapse occurred in > 50% despite median treatment > 12 months. Since the duration of TCZ prior to discontinuation did not significantly affect subsequent risk of GCA recurrence, further research is needed to determine the optimal duration of therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Samec
- M.J. Samec, MD, J. Rakholiya, MBBS, M. Burke, APRN, CNP, J. Jaquith, CCRC, C. Weyand, MD, PhD, K.J. Warrington, MD, M.J. Koster, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Jigisha Rakholiya
- M.J. Samec, MD, J. Rakholiya, MBBS, M. Burke, APRN, CNP, J. Jaquith, CCRC, C. Weyand, MD, PhD, K.J. Warrington, MD, M.J. Koster, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Hannah Langenfeld
- H. Langenfeld, MPH, Division of Clinical Trials and Biostatistics, Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Cynthia S Crowson
- C.S. Crowson, PhD, Division of Rheumatology, and Division of Clinical Trials and Biostatistics, Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Andy Abril
- A. Abril, MD, B. Wang, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida
| | - Benjamin Wang
- A. Abril, MD, B. Wang, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida
| | - Lester Mertz
- L. Mertz, MD, A. Rodriguez-Pla, MD, PhD, Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona
| | - Alicia Rodriguez-Pla
- L. Mertz, MD, A. Rodriguez-Pla, MD, PhD, Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona
| | - Pankaj Bansal
- P. Bansal, MBBS, Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic Health System, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Michelle Burke
- M.J. Samec, MD, J. Rakholiya, MBBS, M. Burke, APRN, CNP, J. Jaquith, CCRC, C. Weyand, MD, PhD, K.J. Warrington, MD, M.J. Koster, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Jane Jaquith
- M.J. Samec, MD, J. Rakholiya, MBBS, M. Burke, APRN, CNP, J. Jaquith, CCRC, C. Weyand, MD, PhD, K.J. Warrington, MD, M.J. Koster, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Cornelia Weyand
- M.J. Samec, MD, J. Rakholiya, MBBS, M. Burke, APRN, CNP, J. Jaquith, CCRC, C. Weyand, MD, PhD, K.J. Warrington, MD, M.J. Koster, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Kenneth J Warrington
- M.J. Samec, MD, J. Rakholiya, MBBS, M. Burke, APRN, CNP, J. Jaquith, CCRC, C. Weyand, MD, PhD, K.J. Warrington, MD, M.J. Koster, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Matthew J Koster
- M.J. Samec, MD, J. Rakholiya, MBBS, M. Burke, APRN, CNP, J. Jaquith, CCRC, C. Weyand, MD, PhD, K.J. Warrington, MD, M.J. Koster, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota;
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Sanchez-Alvarez C, Bond M, Soowamber M, Camellino D, Anderson M, Langford CA, Dejaco C, Touma Z, Ramiro S. Measuring treatment outcomes and change in disease activity in giant cell arteritis: a systematic literature review informing the development of the EULAR-ACR response criteria on behalf of the EULAR-ACR response criteria in giant cell arteritis task force. RMD Open 2023; 9:e003233. [PMID: 37349123 PMCID: PMC10314653 DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2023-003233] [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: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To identify criteria and descriptors used to measure response to treatment and change in disease activity in giant cell arteritis (GCA). METHODS A systematic literature review (SLR) to retrieve randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and longitudinal observational studies (LOS). Criteria and descriptors of active disease, remission, response, improvement, worsening and relapse were extracted. RCTs, LOS with >20 subjects, and qualitative research studies were included. RESULTS 10 593 studies were retrieved, of which 116 were included (11 RCTs, 104 LOS, 1 qualitative study). No unified definition of response to therapy was found. Most RCTs used composite endpoints to assess treatment outcomes. Active disease was described in all RCTs and 19% of LOS; and was largely defined by a combination of clinical and laboratory components. Remission was reported in 73% of RCTs and 42% of LOS; It was predominantly defined as the combination of clinical and laboratory components. One LOS reported response with a definition resembling the definition of remission from other studies. Improvement was rarely used as an endpoint and it was mostly a surrogate of remission. No study specifically defined worsening. Relapse was reported in all RCTs and 86% of LOS. It was predominantly defined as the combination of clinical, laboratory and treatment components. CONCLUSIONS The results of this SLR demonstrate that definitions of response used in clinical studies of GCA are scant and heterogeneous. RCTs and LOS mainly used remission and relapse as treatment outcomes. The descriptors identified will inform the development of the future European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology-American College of Rheumatology response criteria for GCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catalina Sanchez-Alvarez
- Division of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Milena Bond
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital of Bruneck, (ASAA-SABES), Teaching hospital of the Paracelsus University, Bruneck, Italy
| | - Medha Soowamber
- Department of Rheumatology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Dario Camellino
- Department of Rheumatology, Local Health Trust, Genoa, Italy
| | - Melanie Anderson
- Department of Library and Information Services, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carol A Langford
- Department of Rheumatic and Immunologic Diseases, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Christian Dejaco
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital of Bruneck, (ASAA-SABES), Teaching hospital of the Paracelsus University, Bruneck, Italy
- Rheumatology, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Zahi Touma
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sofia Ramiro
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Rheumatology, Zuyderland Medical Center, Heerlen, The Netherlands
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Ford JA, Gewurz D, Gewurz-Singer O. Tocilizumab in giant cell arteritis: an update for the clinician. Curr Opin Rheumatol 2023; 35:135-140. [PMID: 36912060 DOI: 10.1097/bor.0000000000000937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The recent approval of tocilizumab (TCZ) for the treatment of giant cell arteritis (GCA) has changed the landscape for management of this disease. Herein, we review recent literature addressing practical questions for the clinician regarding the use of TCZ in GCA. We evaluate efficacy of TCZ across different disease phenotypes, optimal dosing and formulation, treatment-related toxicity, recommendations for monitoring disease, and duration of therapy. RECENT FINDINGS Post-hoc analyses of a large clinical trial and real-world data suggest efficacy of TCZ across various disease phenotypes in GCA, and support use of weekly subcutaneous dosing over every-other-week dosing. More data are needed to guide duration of TCZ therapy, optimal disease activity monitoring in patients treated with TCZ, and to speak to efficacy in GCA with large vessel involvement. SUMMARY TCZ has added valuably to the treatment arsenal in GCA, though more data are needed to guide optimal use of the drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia A Ford
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | | | - Ora Gewurz-Singer
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Advances in the Treatment of Giant Cell Arteritis. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11061588. [PMID: 35329914 PMCID: PMC8954453 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11061588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common vasculitis among elderly people. The clinical spectrum of the disease is heterogeneous, with a classic/cranial phenotype, and another extracranial or large vessel phenotype as the two more characteristic patterns. Permanent visual loss is the main short-term complication. Glucocorticoids (GC) remain the cornerstone of treatment. However, the percentage of relapses with GC alone is high, and the rate of adverse events affects more than 80% of patients, so it is necessary to have alternative therapeutic options, especially in patients with worse prognostic factors or high comorbidity. MTX is the only DMARD that has shown to reduce the cumulative dose of GC, while tocilizumab is the first biologic agent approved due to its ability to decrease the relapse rate and lower the cumulative GC doses. However, apart from the IL-6 pathway, there are other pro-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors involved in the typical intima hyperplasia and vascular remodeling of GCA. Among them, the more promising targets in GCA treatment are the IL12/IL23 axis antagonists, IL17 inhibitors, modulators of T lymphocytes, and inhibitors of either the JAK/STAT pathway, the granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, or the endothelin, all of which are updated in this review.
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Tomelleri A, Coath F, Sebastian A, Prieto-Pena D, Kayani A, Mo J, Dasgupta B. Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of Leflunomide in Large-Vessel Giant Cell Arteritis: A Single-Center, 10-Year Experience. J Clin Rheumatol 2022; 28:e297-e300. [PMID: 33616316 DOI: 10.1097/rhu.0000000000001703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Fiona Coath
- From the Rheumatology Department, Mid and South Essex University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Southend University Hospital, Southend-on-Sea, Westcliff-on-Sea, United Kingdom
| | - Alwin Sebastian
- From the Rheumatology Department, Mid and South Essex University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Southend University Hospital, Southend-on-Sea, Westcliff-on-Sea, United Kingdom
| | | | - Abdul Kayani
- From the Rheumatology Department, Mid and South Essex University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Southend University Hospital, Southend-on-Sea, Westcliff-on-Sea, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan Mo
- Radiology Department, Mid and South Essex University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Southend University Hospital, Southend-on-Sea, Westcliff-on-Sea, United Kingdom
| | - Bhaskar Dasgupta
- From the Rheumatology Department, Mid and South Essex University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Southend University Hospital, Southend-on-Sea, Westcliff-on-Sea, United Kingdom
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The aim of this study was to present the latest advances in giant cell arteritis (GCA) care, and recent national and international rheumatology societies guidance which influences clinical practice. RECENT FINDINGS Cranial ultrasound reduces diagnostic delay and improves clinical outcomes. Immediate high dose glucocorticoids remain the standard treatment for GCA. Controlled trial evidence using Tocilizumab, an interleukin-6 receptor antagonist, shows good clinical efficacy with steroid-sparing effects. SUMMARY Improved patient outcomes require formalizing pathways to diagnosis and closer liaison with rheumatology for long-term management with second-line therapies.
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Deshayes S, Ly KH, Rieu V, Maigné G, Silva NM, Manrique A, Monteil J, de Boysson H, Aouba A. Steroid-sparing effect of anakinra in giant-cell arteritis: a case series with clinical, biological and iconographic long-term assessments. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021; 61:400-406. [PMID: 33742671 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The treatment of giant cell arteritis (GCA) relies on corticosteroids but is burdened by a high rate of relapses and adverse effects. Anti-interleukin-6 treatments show a clear benefit with a significant steroid-sparing effect, but late relapses occur after treatment discontinuation. In addition to interleukin-6, interleukin-1 also appears to play a significant role in GCA pathophysiology. We report herein the efficacy of anakinra, an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, in 6 GCA patients exhibiting corticosteroid dependence or resistance, specifically analyzing the outcome of aortitis in 4 of them. METHODS This retrospective study analyzed the cases of all GCA patients treated with anakinra from the French Study Group for Large Vessel Vasculitis. RESULTS After a median duration of anakinra therapy of 19 [18-32] months, all 6 patients exhibited complete clinical and biological remission. Among the 4 patients with large-vessel involvement, 2 had a disappearance of aortitis under anakinra, and 2 showed a decrease in vascular uptake. After a median follow-up of 56 [48-63] months, corticosteroids were discontinued in 4 patients, and corticosteroid dosage could be decreased to 5 mg/day in 2 patients. One patient relapsed 13 months after anakinra introduction in the context of increasing the daily anakinra injection interval to every 48 hours. Three patients experienced transient injection-site reactions, and 1 patient had pneumonia. CONCLUSION In this short series, anakinra appears to be an efficient and safe steroid-sparing agent in refractory GCA, with a possible beneficial effect on large-vessel involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Deshayes
- Service de Médecine Interne, CHU de Caen Normandie, 14000 Caen, France.,Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, EA4650 SEILIRM, CHU de Caen Normandie, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Kim-Heang Ly
- Service de Médecine Interne A, CHU Dupuytren, 87000 Limoges, France.,Faculté de médecine, laboratoire d'immunologie, EA3842, 87025 Limoges, France
| | - Virginie Rieu
- Service de Médecine Interne, CHU Estaing, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Gwénola Maigné
- Service de Médecine Interne, CHU de Caen Normandie, 14000 Caen, France
| | | | - Alain Manrique
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, EA4650 SEILIRM, CHU de Caen Normandie, 14000 Caen, France.,Service de Médecine Nucléaire, CHU de Caen Normandie, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Jacques Monteil
- Service de Médecine Nucléaire, CHU Dupuytren, 87000 Limoges, France
| | - Hubert de Boysson
- Service de Médecine Interne, CHU de Caen Normandie, 14000 Caen, France.,Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, EA4650 SEILIRM, CHU de Caen Normandie, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Achille Aouba
- Service de Médecine Interne, CHU de Caen Normandie, 14000 Caen, France.,Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, EA4650 SEILIRM, CHU de Caen Normandie, 14000 Caen, France
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Clément J, Duffau P, Constans J, Schaeverbeke T, Viallard JF, Barcat D, Vernhes JP, Sailler L, Bonnet F. Real-world Risk of Relapse of Giant Cell Arteritis Treated With Tocilizumab: A Retrospective Analysis of 43 Patients. J Rheumatol 2021; 48:1435-1441. [PMID: 33589561 DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.200952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Tocilizumab (TCZ), an interleukin 6 (IL-6) receptor antagonist, is approved for giant cell arteritis (GCA) as a cortisone-sparing strategy and in refractory patients. This study assessed the real-world efficacy, safety, and long-term outcomes of patients with GCA treated with TCZ. METHODS We conducted a multicenter retrospective observational study at 3 French centers. All patients aged ≥ 50 years who met the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria, and had received at least 1 dose of TCZ were included. Relapse was defined by therapeutic escalation, such as increased doses of corticosteroids (CS), resumption of CS after weaning, or introduction or intensification of adjuvant therapy. RESULTS Between 2013 and 2019, 43 patients were included. Patients were followed up for a median 511 days between GCA diagnosis and inclusion, with 34/43 (79%) patients experiencing relapses. At inclusion, median age was 77 years, and median dose of CS was 15 mg/day. After inclusion, the mean cumulative dose of CS was 2.1 g/year vs 9.4 g/year before inclusion (P < 2 × 10-7), with 12/43 (28%) patients experiencing relapses on TCZ. Among 29 patients undergoing TCZ discontinuation, 18 (62%) experienced relapses. Factors associated with relapse after inclusion were introduction of TCZ > 6 months after diagnosis (P = 0.005), absence of ischemic signs at diagnosis (P = 0.006), relapse rate > 0.8/year (P = 0.03), and absence of CS tapering ≤ 5 mg/day (P = 0.03) before inclusion. Serious adverse events occurred in 18/43 patients (42%), including 4 deaths. CONCLUSION Our results confirm the effectiveness of TCZ for CS sparing, but after discontinuation of treatment, TCZ allows for a prolonged remission in < 50% of patients. Attention must be paid to the tolerance of this long-term treatment in this elderly, heavily treated refractory population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérémy Clément
- J. Clément, MD, CHU de Bordeaux, Service de Médecine Interne et Maladies Infectieuses, Bordeaux
| | - Pierre Duffau
- P. Duffau, MD, PhD, CHU de Bordeaux, Service de Médecine Interne, Bordeaux
| | - Joel Constans
- J. Constans, MD, PhD, CHU de Bordeaux, Service de Médecine Vasculaire, Hôpital Saint-André, Bordeaux
| | | | - Jean-Francois Viallard
- J.F. Viallard, MD, PhD, CHU de Bordeaux, Service de Médecine Interne et Maladies Infectieuses, Hôpital Haut-Lévêque, Pessac
| | - Damien Barcat
- D. Barcat, MD, CH de Libourne, Service de Médecine Interne, Libourne
| | | | - Laurent Sailler
- L. Sailler, MD, PhD, CHU de Toulouse, Département de Médecine Interne, Toulouse
| | - Fabrice Bonnet
- J. Clément, MD, CHU de Bordeaux, Service de Médecine Interne et Maladies Infectieuses, Bordeaux;
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Serling-Boyd N, Stone JH. Recent advances in the diagnosis and management of giant cell arteritis. Curr Opin Rheumatol 2021; 32:201-207. [PMID: 32168069 DOI: 10.1097/bor.0000000000000700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Giant cell arteritis (GCA) has classically been diagnosed by temporal artery biopsy and treated with high-dose, long-term glucocorticoid therapy. Noninvasive imaging increasingly is employed for diagnostic purposes, but further studies are needed to determine the role of imaging in monitoring longitudinal disease activity. Glucocorticoid-sparing therapy mitigates the numerous adverse effects of glucocorticoids. This review addresses new developments in these areas. RECENT FINDINGS For diagnosis, when performed at a center with expertise in its use, temporal artery ultrasound has an estimated sensitivity and specificity of 78 and 79%, respectively. State-of-the-art time-of-flight positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has an estimated sensitivity and specificity of 71 and 91%, respectively. The sensitivities of both imaging modalities decrease following glucocorticoid administration. Tocilizumab is an effective glucocorticoid-sparing therapy, demonstrating sustained glucocorticoid-free remission in 56% of patients receiving weekly tocilizumab compared with 18% of patients receiving a 52-week prednisone taper. The traditional acute phase reactants are of no value in patients treated with interleukin-6 receptor (IL6-R) blockade, and thus, the development of new biomarkers is an important priority in the field. SUMMARY Noninvasive imaging techniques are increasingly used in the absence of temporal artery biopsy to confirm diagnostic suspicions of GCA. Tocilizumab reduces the cumulative glucocorticoid exposure and increases the rate of sustained remission. Ongoing efforts are directed towards new methods to identify disease flares.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi Serling-Boyd
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Abstract
Patients with untreated active giant cell arteritis (GCA) are at high risk of permanent vision loss. Therefore, treatment with glucocorticoids should be immediately initiated at an initial dose of 40-60 mg prednisolone equivalent dose per day. Once remission is achieved, the prednisolone dose should be reduced to 15-20 mg within 2-3 months and then to ≤5 mg per day within 1 year. Glucocorticoid-sparing treatment with tocilizumab or alternatively methotrexate should be initiated in patients with an increased risk or pre-existing complications of glucocorticoid treatment and patients with relapse. In polymyalgia rheumatica, prednisolone dosages of 15-25 mg/day are sufficient. After achieving remission, the dose should then be reduced to 10 mg within 4-8 weeks and then to 1 mg per month thereafter. Glucocorticoid-sparing treatment with methotrexate should be initiated in patients with an increased risk or existing complications of glucocorticoid treatment, relapse or increased glucocorticoid requirements.
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Evangelatos G, Fragoulis GE, Iliopoulos A. Temporal ultrasound for monitoring tocilizumab treatment in giant cell arteritis: seeing beyond serum markers? Ann Rheum Dis 2019; 80:e184. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2019-216527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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