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Valero M, Sánchez-Piedra C, Freire M, Colazo M, Busquets N, Meriño-Ibarra E, Rodríguez-Lozano C, Manrique S, Campos C, Sánchez-Alonso F, Castrejón I. Factors associated with discontinuation of biologics in patients with inflammatory arthritis in remission: data from the BIOBADASER registry. Arthritis Res Ther 2023; 25:86. [PMID: 37217997 PMCID: PMC10201751 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-023-03045-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The objectives of this study were to assess the discontinuation of biologic therapy in patients who achieve remission and identify predictors of discontinuation of biologics in patients with inflammatory arthritis in remission. METHODS An observational retrospective study from the BIOBADASER registry comprising adult patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), or psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and receiving 1 or 2 biological disease-modifying drugs (bDMARDs) between October 1999 and April 2021. Patients were followed yearly after initiation of therapy or until discontinuation of treatment. Reasons for discontinuation were collected. Patients who discontinued bDMARDs because of remission as defined by the attending clinician were studied. Predictors of discontinuation were explored using multivariable regression models. RESULTS The study population comprised 3,366 patients taking 1 or 2 bDMARDs. Biologics were discontinued owing to remission by 80 patients (2.4%): 30 with RA (1.7%), 18 with AS (2.4%), and 32 with PsA (3.9%). The factors associated with a higher probability of discontinuation on remission were shorter disease duration (OR: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.91-0.99), no concomitant use of classic DMARDs (OR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.34-0.92), and shorter usage of the previous bDMARD (before the decision to discontinue biological therapy) (OR: 1.01; 95% CI: 1.01-1.02); in contrast, smoking status (OR: 2.48; 95% CI: 1.21-5.08) was associated with a lower probability. In patients with RA, positive ACPA was associated with a lower probability of discontinuation (OR: 0.11; 95% CI: 0.02-0.53). CONCLUSIONS Discontinuation of bDMARDs in patients who achieve remission is uncommon in routine clinical care. Smoking and positive ACPA in RA patients were associated with a lower probability of treatment discontinuation because of clinical remission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Valero
- Servicio de Reumatología, Hospital Universitario Ramón Y CajalInstituto Ramón Y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Carretera de Colmenar Viejo Km: 9,100, 28034, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Carlos Sánchez-Piedra
- Health Technology Assessment Agency of Carlos III Institute of Health (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mercedes Freire
- Department of Rheumatology, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
| | - María Colazo
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Universitario de Burgos, Burgos, Spain
| | - Noemí Busquets
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital General de Granollers, Granollers, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Erardo Meriño-Ibarra
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, Saragossa, Spain
| | - Carlos Rodríguez-Lozano
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Doctor Negrín, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Sara Manrique
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Universitario Regional de Málaga (Hospital Carlos Haya), Málaga, Spain
| | - Cristina Campos
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Isabel Castrejón
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio MarañónInstituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Kitamura N, Kobayashi H, Nagasawa Y, Sugiyama K, Tsuzuki H, Tanikawa Y, Ikumi N, Okada Y, Takahashi Y, Asai S, Tamura N, Ogasawara M, Kawamoto T, Kuwatsuru R, Tamaki H, Kidoguchi G, Tateishi M, Kimura M, Mochida Y, Harigane K, Shimazaki T, Koike T, Tanimura K, Kataoka H, Amano K, Yasuoka H, Takei M. Risk factors associated with relapse after methotrexate dose reduction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving golimumab and methotrexate combination therapy. Int J Rheum Dis 2023. [PMID: 37058849 DOI: 10.1111/1756-185x.14695] [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: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
AIM To identify risk factors for relapse after methotrexate (MTX) dose reduction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients receiving golimumab (GLM)/MTX combination therapy. METHOD Data on RA patients ≥20 years old receiving GLM (50 mg) + MTX for ≥6 months were retrospectively collected. MTX dose reduction was defined as a reduction of ≥12 mg from the total dose within 12 weeks of the maximum dose (≥1 mg/wk average). Relapse was defined as Disease Activity Score in 28 joints using C-reactive protein level (DAS28-CRP) score ≥3.2 or sustained (≥ twice) increase of ≥0.6 from baseline. RESULTS A total of 304 eligible patients were included. Among the MTX-reduction group (n = 125), 16.8% of patients relapsed. Age, duration from diagnosis to the initiation of GLM, baseline MTX dose, and DAS28-CRP were comparable between relapse and no-relapse groups. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of relapse after MTX reduction was 4.37 (95% CI 1.16-16.38, P = 0.03) for prior use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and the aORs for cardiovascular disease (CVD), gastrointestinal disease and liver disease were 2.36, 2.28, and 3.03, respectively. Compared to the non-reduction group, the MTX-reduction group had a higher proportion of patients with CVD (17.6% vs 7.3%, P = 0.02) and a lower proportion of prior use of biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (11.2% vs. 24.0%, P = 0.0076). CONCLUSION Attention should be given to RA patients with history of CVD, gastrointestinal disease, liver disease, or prior NSAIDs-use when considering MTX dose reduction to ensure benefits outweigh the risks of relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noboru Kitamura
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Rheumatology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hitomi Kobayashi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Rheumatology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yosuke Nagasawa
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Rheumatology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kaita Sugiyama
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Rheumatology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Tsuzuki
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Rheumatology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yutaka Tanikawa
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Rheumatology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Natsumi Ikumi
- Department of Dermatology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuito Okada
- Clinical Trials Research Center, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuo Takahashi
- Clinical Trials Research Center, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Asai
- Department of Pharmacology and Biofunction Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoto Tamura
- Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Michihiro Ogasawara
- Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshio Kawamoto
- Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryohei Kuwatsuru
- Department of Radiology & Center for Promotion of Data Science, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiromichi Tamaki
- Immuno-Rheumatology Center, St. Luke's International Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Genki Kidoguchi
- Immuno-Rheumatology Center, St. Luke's International Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mutsuto Tateishi
- Department of Rheumatology, Tokyo Metropolitan Ohtsuka Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Makiko Kimura
- Department of Rheumatology, Tokyo Metropolitan Ohtsuka Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuichi Mochida
- Center for Rheumatic Diseases, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kengo Harigane
- Center for Rheumatic Diseases, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Takayuki Shimazaki
- Center for Rheumatic Diseases, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Takao Koike
- Hokkaido Medical Center for Rheumatic Diseases, Sapporo, Japan
| | | | - Hiroshi Kataoka
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Sapporo City General Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Koichi Amano
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Saitama Medical Center Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Hidekata Yasuoka
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Masami Takei
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Rheumatology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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Mechanisms of bone pain: Progress in research from bench to bedside. Bone Res 2022; 10:44. [PMID: 35668080 PMCID: PMC9170780 DOI: 10.1038/s41413-022-00217-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractThe field of research on pain originating from various bone diseases is expanding rapidly, with new mechanisms and targets asserting both peripheral and central sites of action. The scope of research is broadening from bone biology to neuroscience, neuroendocrinology, and immunology. In particular, the roles of primary sensory neurons and non-neuronal cells in the peripheral tissues as important targets for bone pain treatment are under extensive investigation in both pre-clinical and clinical settings. An understanding of the peripheral mechanisms underlying pain conditions associated with various bone diseases will aid in the appropriate application and development of optimal strategies for not only managing bone pain symptoms but also improving bone repairing and remodeling, which potentially cures the underlying etiology for long-term functional recovery. In this review, we focus on advances in important preclinical studies of significant bone pain conditions in the past 5 years that indicated new peripheral neuronal and non-neuronal mechanisms, novel targets for potential clinical interventions, and future directions of research.
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Ataman S, Sunar I, Bodur H, Melikoglu MA, Cay HF, Capkin E, Akgul O, Cevik R, Gogus F, Kamanli A, Yurdakul FG, Gurer G, Yagci I, Rezvani A, Duruoz MT. Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Sustained and Switching Treatments Using Biological and Targeted Synthetic Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs: A Multicenter, Observational Cross-Sectional Study for Rheumatoid Arthritis. Rheumatol Ther 2021; 9:223-241. [PMID: 34850376 PMCID: PMC8814119 DOI: 10.1007/s40744-021-00403-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease with different disease activity grades. Several registries have been designed to determine the appropriate regimens of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs to obtain sustained clinical remission. We examined epidemiological and clinical characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis patients using a clinical registry database (BioSTaR) and analyzed the differences in patients with sustained and switched therapies. Methods A multicenter, observational cross-sectional study for rheumatoid arthritis was performed between February 2019 and September 2020 using the BioStaR-RA registry. Demographic and clinical characteristics were prospectively recorded into a specifically designed electronic database. The patients were divided into three groups due to the heterogeneity of the study cohort. Patients were grouped as Group I (Initial; within the first 6 months of treatment with biological/targeted synthetic drugs), Group ST (Sustained Treatment; any first drug lasting for at least 6 months without any change), and Group S (Switch; any switching to another drug). Comparative analysis was performed between sustained treatment (Group ST) and drug switching (Group S) groups. Results The study included a total of 565 patients. The mean age was 53.7 ± 12.8 years, and the majority were female (80.4%). There were 104, 267, and 194 patients in Groups I, ST, and S, respectively. Erosive arthritis and hematological extra-articular involvement were more frequently detected in Group S than Group ST (p = 0.009 and p = 0.001). The patients in Group S had significantly higher disease activity scores (DAS28-CRP, CDAI, and SDAI) (p = 0.025, p = 0.010, and p = 0.003). There were significantly more patients with moderate disease activity in Group S (p < 0.05). Conclusions The groups with sustained treatment and switching included patients with different disease activity status, although higher disease activity was determined in switchers. Overall, moderate disease activity and remission were the most common disease activity levels. Lower disease activity scores, lower hematologic manifestations, better functional status, and lesser radiographic damage are associated with sustained treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebnem Ataman
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ismihan Sunar
- Rheumatology Clinic, Aydın State Hospital, Aydın, Turkey.
| | - Hatice Bodur
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Meltem Alkan Melikoglu
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ataturk University School of Medicine, Erzurum, Turkey
| | - Hasan Fatih Cay
- Department of Rheumatology, Antalya Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Erhan Capkin
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Karadeniz Technical University School of Medicine, Trabzon, Turkey
| | - Ozgur Akgul
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Manisa Celal Bayar University School of Medicine, Manisa, Turkey
| | - Remzi Cevik
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dicle University School of Medicine, Diyarbakır, Turkey
| | - Feride Gogus
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Gazi University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ayhan Kamanli
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Sakarya University School of Medicine, Sakarya, Turkey
| | - Fatma Gul Yurdakul
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Gulcan Gurer
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Adnan Menderes University School of Medicine, Aydın, Turkey
| | - Ilker Yagci
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Aylin Rezvani
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medipol University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Tuncay Duruoz
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
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Tascilar K, Hagen M, Kleyer A, Simon D, Reiser M, Hueber AJ, Manger B, Englbrecht M, Finzel S, Tony HP, Schuch F, Kleinert S, Wendler J, Ronneberger M, Figueiredo CP, Cobra JF, Feuchtenberger M, Fleck M, Manger K, Ochs W, Schmitt-Haendle M, Lorenz HM, Nuesslein H, Alten R, Kruger K, Henes J, Schett G, Rech J. Treatment tapering and stopping in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in stable remission (RETRO): a multicentre, randomised, controlled, open-label, phase 3 trial. THE LANCET. RHEUMATOLOGY 2021; 3:e767-e777. [PMID: 38297524 DOI: 10.1016/s2665-9913(21)00220-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Owing to increasing remission rates, the management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis in sustained remission is of growing interest. The Rheumatoid Arthritis in Ongoing Remission (RETRO) study investigated tapering and withdrawal of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in stable remission to test whether remission could be retained without the need to take DMARD therapy despite an absence of symptoms. METHODS RETRO was an investigator-initiated, multicentre, prospective, randomised, controlled, open-label, parallel-group phase 3 trial in patients aged at least 18 years with rheumatoid arthritis for at least 12 months before randomisation who were in sustained Disease Activity Score using 28 joints with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) remission (score <2·6 units). Eligible patients were recruited consecutively from 14 German hospitals or rheumatology practices and randomly assigned (1:1:1) without stratification and regardless of baseline treatment, using a sequence that was computer-generated by the study statistician, to continue 100% dose DMARD (continue group), taper to 50% dose DMARD (taper group), or 50% dose DMARD for 6 months before stopping DMARDs (stop group). Neither patients nor investigators were masked to the treatment assignment. Patients were assessed every 3 months and screened for disease activity and relapse. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients in sustained DAS28-ESR remission without relapse at 12 months, analysed using a log-rank test of trend and Cox regression. Analysis by a trained statistician of the primary outcome and safety was done in a modified intention-to-treat population that included participants with non-missing baseline data. This study is completed and closed to new participants and is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02779114). FINDINGS Between May 26, 2010, and May 29, 2018, 303 patients were enrolled and allocated to continue (n=100), taper (n=102), or stop DMARDs (n=101). 282 (93%) of 303 patients were analysed (93 [93%] of 100 for continue, 93 [91%] of 102 for taper, and 96 [95%] of 101 for stop). Remission was maintained at 12 months by 81·2% (95% CI 73·3-90·0) in the continue group, 58·6% (49·2-70·0) in the taper group, and 43·3% (34·6-55·5) in the stop group (p=0·0005 with log-rank test for trend). Hazard ratios for relapse were 3·02 (1·69-5·40; p=0.0003) for the taper group and 4·34 (2·48-7·60; p<0.0001)) for the stop group, in comparison with the continue group. The majority of patients who relapsed regained remission after reintroduction of 100% dose DMARDs. Serious adverse events occurred in ten of 93 (11%) patients in the continue group, seven of 93 (8%) patients in taper group, and 13 of 96 (14%) patients in the stop group. None were considered to be related to the intervention. The most frequent type of serious adverse event was injuries or procedural complications (n=9). INTERPRETATION Reducing antirheumatic drugs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in stable remission is feasible, with maintenance of remission occurring in about half of the patients. Because relapse rates were significantly higher in patients who tapered or stopped antirheumatic drugs than in patients who continued with a 100% dose, such approaches will require tight monitoring of disease activity. However, remission was regained after reintroduction of antirheumatic treatments in most of those who relapsed in this study. These results might help to prevent overtreatment in a substantial number of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. FUNDING None.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koray Tascilar
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 and Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitatsklinikum, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Melanie Hagen
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 and Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitatsklinikum, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Arnd Kleyer
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 and Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitatsklinikum, Erlangen, Germany
| | - David Simon
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 and Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitatsklinikum, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michaela Reiser
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 and Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitatsklinikum, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Axel J Hueber
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 and Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitatsklinikum, Erlangen, Germany; Rheumatology Section, Sozialstiftung Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany
| | - Bernhard Manger
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 and Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitatsklinikum, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Matthias Englbrecht
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 and Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitatsklinikum, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stephanie Finzel
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Hans-Peter Tony
- Department of Internal Medicine 2, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | | | - Stefan Kleinert
- Department of Internal Medicine 2, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany; Rheumatology Practice, Erlangen, Germany
| | | | | | - Camille P Figueiredo
- Division of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Sao Paulo University, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Martin Feuchtenberger
- Rheumatology Practice and Department of Internal Medicine 2, Clinic Burghausen, Burghausen, Germany
| | - Martin Fleck
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany; Asklepios Medical Center Bad Abbach, Bad Abbach, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Hanns-Martin Lorenz
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Division of Rheumatology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Joerg Henes
- Department of Internal Medicine 2, University of Tubingen, Tubingen, Germany
| | - Georg Schett
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 and Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitatsklinikum, Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Juergen Rech
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 and Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitatsklinikum, Erlangen, Germany
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Kemble S, Croft AP. Critical Role of Synovial Tissue-Resident Macrophage and Fibroblast Subsets in the Persistence of Joint Inflammation. Front Immunol 2021; 12:715894. [PMID: 34539648 PMCID: PMC8446662 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.715894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic prototypic immune-mediated inflammatory disease which is characterized by persistent synovial inflammation, leading to progressive joint destruction. Whilst the introduction of targeted biological drugs has led to a step change in the management of RA, 30-40% of patients do not respond adequately to these treatments, regardless of the mechanism of action of the drug used (ceiling of therapeutic response). In addition, many patients who acheive clinical remission, quickly relapse following the withdrawal of treatment. These observations suggest the existence of additional pathways of disease persistence that remain to be identified and targeted therapeutically. A major barrier for the identification of therapeutic targets and successful clinical translation is the limited understanding of the cellular mechanisms that operate within the synovial microenvironment to sustain joint inflammation. Recent insights into the heterogeneity of tissue resident synovial cells, including macropahges and fibroblasts has revealed distinct subsets of these cells that differentially regulate specific aspects of inflammatory joint pathology, paving the way for targeted interventions to specifically modulate the behaviour of these cells. In this review, we will discuss the phenotypic and functional heterogeneity of tissue resident synovial cells and how this cellular diversity contributes to joint inflammation. We discuss how critical interactions between tissue resident cell types regulate the disease state by establishing critical cellular checkpoints within the synovium designed to suppress inflammation and restore joint homeostasis. We propose that failure of these cellular checkpoints leads to the emergence of imprinted pathogenic fibroblast cell states that drive the persistence of joint inflammation. Finally, we discuss therapeutic strategies that could be employed to specifically target pathogenic subsets of fibroblasts in RA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Adam P. Croft
- Rheumatology Research Group, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing (IIA), University of Birmingham, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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Endocrine Disorders in Autoimmune Rheumatological Diseases: A Focus on Thyroid Autoimmune Diseases and on the Effects of Chronic Glucocorticoid Treatment. ENDOCRINES 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/endocrines2030018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune rheumatological diseases’ incidence and prevalence have risen over the last decades and they are becoming increasingly important worldwide. Thyroid autoimmune diseases share with them an imbalance in the immune system that lead to a pro-inflammatory environment. Usually this is the result of a multi-factorial process. In fact, it includes not only a possible genetic predisposition, but also environmental causes like microbiota dysbiosis, diet rich in processed foods, exposure to toxicants and infections. However, many aspects are currently under study. This paper aims to examine the factors that participate in the developing of rheumatological and thyroid autoimmune diseases. Moreover, as glucocorticoids still represent a leading treatment for systemic autoimmune rheumatological diseases, our secondary aim is to summarize the main effects of glucocorticoids treatment focusing on iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome and glucocorticoids’ withdrawal syndrome.
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