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Loricera J, Tofade T, Prieto-Peña D, Romero-Yuste S, de Miguel E, Riveros-Frutos A, Ferraz-Amaro I, Labrador E, Maiz O, Becerra E, Narváez J, Galíndez-Agirregoikoa E, González-Fernández I, Urruticoechea-Arana A, Ramos-Calvo Á, López-Gutiérrez F, Castañeda S, Unizony S, Blanco R. Effectiveness of janus kinase inhibitors in relapsing giant cell arteritis in real-world clinical practice and review of the literature. Arthritis Res Ther 2024; 26:116. [PMID: 38840219 PMCID: PMC11151571 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-024-03314-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A substantial proportion of patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) relapse despite standard therapy with glucocorticoids, methotrexate and tocilizumab. The Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signalling pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of GCA and JAK inhibitors (JAKi) could be a therapeutic alternative. We evaluated the effectiveness of JAKi in relapsing GCA patients in a real-world setting and reviewed available literature. METHODS Retrospective analysis of GCA patients treated with JAKi for relapsing disease at thirteen centers in Spain and one center in United States (01/2017-12/2022). Outcomes assessed included clinical remission, complete remission and safety. Clinical remission was defined as the absence of GCA signs and symptoms regardless of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) values. Complete remission was defined as the absence of GCA signs and symptoms along with normal ESR and CRP values. A systematic literature search for other JAKi-treated GCA cases was conducted. RESULTS Thirty-five patients (86% females, mean age 72.3) with relapsing GCA received JAKi therapy (baricitinib, n = 15; tofacitinib, n = 10; upadacitinib, n = 10). Before JAKi therapy, 22 (63%) patients had received conventional synthetic immunosuppressants (e.g., methotrexate), and 30 (86%) biologics (e.g., tocilizumab). After a median (IQR) follow-up of 11 (6-15.5) months, 20 (57%) patients achieved and maintained clinical remission, 16 (46%) patients achieved and maintained complete remission, and 15 (43%) patients discontinued the initial JAKi due to relapse (n = 11 [31%]) or serious adverse events (n = 4 [11%]). A literature search identified another 36 JAKi-treated GCA cases with clinical improvement reported for the majority of them. CONCLUSIONS This real-world analysis and literature review suggest that JAKi could be effective in GCA, including in patients failing established glucocorticoid-sparing therapies such as tocilizumab and methotrexate. A phase III randomized controlled trial of upadacitinib is currently ongoing (ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT03725202).
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Loricera
- Department of Rheumatology, IDIVAL, Immunopathology Group, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Avda. Valdecilla s/n, Santander, ES- 39008, Spain
| | - Toluwalase Tofade
- Neurology Department, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Diana Prieto-Peña
- Department of Rheumatology, IDIVAL, Immunopathology Group, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Avda. Valdecilla s/n, Santander, ES- 39008, Spain
| | - Susana Romero-Yuste
- Department of Rheumatology, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Pontevedra, Pontevedra, Spain
| | - Eugenio de Miguel
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Anne Riveros-Frutos
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Universitario Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain
| | - Iván Ferraz-Amaro
- Department of Rheumatology, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Canarias, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | | | - Olga Maiz
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Universitario de Donosti, San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Elena Becerra
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Universitario de Elda, Alicante, Spain
| | - Javier Narváez
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Ángel Ramos-Calvo
- Department of Rheumatology, Complejo Hospitalario de Soria, Soria, Spain
| | - Fernando López-Gutiérrez
- Department of Rheumatology, IDIVAL, Immunopathology Group, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Avda. Valdecilla s/n, Santander, ES- 39008, Spain
| | - Santos Castañeda
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Universitario La Princesa, IIS-Princesa, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sebastian Unizony
- Vasculitis and Glomerulonephritis Center, Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy Division, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
| | - Ricardo Blanco
- Department of Rheumatology, IDIVAL, Immunopathology Group, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Avda. Valdecilla s/n, Santander, ES- 39008, Spain.
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Ness T, Nölle B. Giant Cell Arteritis. Klin Monbl Augenheilkd 2024; 241:644-652. [PMID: 38593832 DOI: 10.1055/a-2252-3371] [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: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common primary vasculitis and is associated with potential bilateral blindness. Neither clinical nor laboratory evidence is simple and unequivocal for this disease, which usually requires rapid and reliable diagnosis and therapy. The ophthalmologist should consider GCA with the following ocular symptoms: visual loss or visual field defects, transient visual disturbances (amaurosis fugax), diplopia, eye pain, or new onset head or jaw claudication. An immediate ophthalmological examination with slit lamp, ophthalmoscopy, and visual field, as well as color duplex ultrasound of the temporal artery should be performed. If there is sufficient clinical suspicion of GCA, corticosteroid therapy should be initiated immediately, with prompt referral to a rheumatologist/internist and, if necessary, temporal artery biopsy should be arranged. Numerous developments in modern imaging with colour duplex ultrasonography, MRI, and PET-CT have the potential to compete with the classical, well-established biopsy of a temporal artery. Early determination of ESR and CRP may support RZA diagnosis. Therapeutically, steroid-sparing immunosuppression with IL-6 blockade or methotrexate can be considered. These developments have led to a revision of both the classification criteria and the diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations of the American College of Rheumatologists and the European League against Rheumatism, which are summarised here for ophthalmology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Ness
- Klinik für Augenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Deutschland
- Medizinische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Deutschland
| | - Bernhard Nölle
- Klinik für Ophthalmologie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Deutschland
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Quick V, Benson F, Mackie SL. Life after tocilizumab given for giant cell arteritis: a patient survey and argument for re-treatment. Rheumatol Adv Pract 2024; 8:rkae054. [PMID: 38725437 PMCID: PMC11079613 DOI: 10.1093/rap/rkae054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Quick
- Rheumatology Department, Luton and Dunstable University Hospital, Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bedford, UK
- PMRGCAuk Society, London, UK
| | | | - Sarah L Mackie
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
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Unizony S, Matza MA, Jarvie A, O'Dea D, Fernandes AD, Stone JH. Treatment for giant cell arteritis with 8 weeks of prednisone in combination with tocilizumab: a single-arm, open-label, proof-of-concept study. THE LANCET. RHEUMATOLOGY 2023; 5:e736-e742. [PMID: 38251564 DOI: 10.1016/s2665-9913(23)00265-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Even after the approval of tocilizumab, substantial glucocorticoid exposure (usually ≥6 months) and toxicity continue to be important problems for patients with giant cell arteritis. We aimed to assess the outcomes of a group of patients with giant cell arteritis treated with tocilizumab in combination with 8 weeks of prednisone. METHODS This prospective, single arm, proof-of-concept study was conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, MA, USA). Individuals aged 50 years or older who had new-onset or relapsing giant cell arteritis with active disease were eligible for inclusion. Participants received 12 months of tocilizumab 162 mg weekly subcutaneously in combination with 8 weeks of prednisone. The primary endpoint was sustained prednisone-free remission at week 52. Adverse events were also evaluated. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03726749), and is complete. FINDINGS Between Nov 28, 2018, and Nov 2, 2020, we enrolled 30 patients (mean age 73·7 years [SD 8·1], 18 [60%] women and 12 [40%] men, 30 [100%] White race, 15 [50%] new-onset disease, 23 [77%] temporal artery biopsy-proven, 14 [47%] imaging-proven). The initial prednisone doses were 60 mg (n=7), 50 mg (n=1), 40 mg (n=7), 30 mg (n=6), and 20 mg (n=9). All patients entered remission within 4 weeks from baseline. 23 (77%) of 30 patients were in sustained prednisone-free remission at week 52 and seven (23%) patients relapsed, with a mean time to relapse of 15·8 weeks (SD 14·7). Overall, four (13%) participants developed a serious adverse event, including one related or probably related to prednisone exclusively, two related or probably related to tocilizumab exclusively, and one related or probably related to prednisone, tocilizumab, or both. Two of the non-responder patients stopped tocilizumab and withdrew from the study prematurely after having a second disease relapse. No cases of giant cell arteritis-related permanent vision loss occurred during the study. INTERPRETATION These results suggest that 12 months of tocilizumab in combination with 8 weeks of prednisone could induce and maintain remission in patients with giant cell arteritis. Confirmation of these findings in a randomised controlled trial is required. FUNDING Genentech.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Unizony
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Mark A Matza
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Adam Jarvie
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - David O'Dea
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ana D Fernandes
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John H Stone
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Quick V, Abusalameh M, Ahmed S, Alkoky H, Bukhari M, Carter S, Coath FL, Davidson B, Doddamani P, Dubey S, Ducker G, Griffiths B, Gullick N, Heaney J, Holloway A, Htut EEP, Hughes M, Irvine H, Kinder A, Kurshid A, Lim J, Ludwig DR, Malik M, Mercer L, Mulhearn B, Nair JR, Patel R, Robson J, Saha P, Tansley S, Mackie SL. Relapse after cessation of weekly tocilizumab for giant cell arteritis: a multicentre service evaluation in England. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2023:kead604. [PMID: 37952183 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead604] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The National Health Service in England funds 12 months of weekly subcutaneous tocilizumab (qwTCZ) for patients with relapsing or refractory giant cell arteritis (GCA). During the COVID-19 pandemic, some patients were allowed longer treatment. We sought to describe what happened to patients after cessation of qwTCZ. METHODS Multicentre service evaluation of relapse after stopping qwTCZ for GCA. The log-rank test was used to identify significant differences in time to relapse. RESULTS 336 GCA patients were analysed from 40 centres, treated with qwTCZ for a median (interquartile range, IQR) of 12 (12-17) months. At time of stopping qwTCZ, median (IQR) prednisolone dose was 2 (0-5) mg/day. By 6, 12 and 24 months after stopping qwTCZ, 21.4%, 35.4% and 48.6% respectively had relapsed, requiring an increase in prednisolone dose to a median (IQR) of 20 (10-40) mg/day. 33.6% of relapsers had a major relapse as defined by EULAR. Time to relapse was shorter in those that had previously also relapsed during qwTCZ treatment (P = 0.0017); in those not in remission at qwTCZ cessation (P = 0.0036); and in those with large vessel involvement on imaging (P = 0.0296). Age ≥65, gender, GCA-related sight loss, qwTCZ treatment duration, TCZ taper, prednisolone dosing, and conventional synthetic DMARD use were not associated with time to relapse. CONCLUSION Up to half our patients with GCA relapsed after stopping qwTCZ, often requiring a substantial increase in prednisolone dose. One third of relapsers had a major relapse. Extended use of TCZ or repeat treatment for relapse should be considered for these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Quick
- Rheumatology Department, Luton, Dunstable University Hospital, Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bedford, UKand
| | - Mahdi Abusalameh
- Rheumatology Department, Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Devon, UK
| | - Sajeel Ahmed
- Rheumatology Department, The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle, UK
| | - Hoda Alkoky
- Rheumatology Department, Luton, Dunstable University Hospital, Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bedford, UKand
| | - Marwan Bukhari
- Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
- Rheumatology Department, Royal Lancaster Infirmary, Lancaster, UK
| | - Stuart Carter
- Rheumatology Department, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | - Fiona L Coath
- Rheumatology Department, Southend University Hospital NHS Trust, Southend, UK
| | - Brian Davidson
- Rheumatology Department, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Parveen Doddamani
- Rheumatology Department, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
| | - Shirish Dubey
- Department of Rheumatology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
- Nuffield Dept of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Georgina Ducker
- Rheumatology Department, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Norwich, UK
| | - Bridget Griffiths
- Rheumatology Department, The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle, UK
| | - Nicola Gullick
- Rheumatology Department, University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, UK
- Rheumatology Department, Coventry & Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Warwick, UK
| | - Jonathan Heaney
- Rheumatology Department, The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle, UK
| | - Amelia Holloway
- Rheumatology Department, Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Ei Ei Phyu Htut
- Department of Rheumatology, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK
| | - Mark Hughes
- Rheumatology Department, Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, Cornwall, UK
| | - Hannah Irvine
- Department of Rheumatology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Alison Kinder
- Rheumatology Department, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
| | - Asim Kurshid
- Rheumatology Department, University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust, Poole, UK
| | - Joyce Lim
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Dalia R Ludwig
- Rheumatology Department University College London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Mariam Malik
- Rheumatology Department, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Louise Mercer
- Rheumatology Department, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, Stockport, UK
| | - Ben Mulhearn
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Bath, UK
- Royal United Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Royal United Hospitals Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Jagdish R Nair
- Rheumatology Department, Liverpool University Hospitals (Aintree), Liverpool, UK
- The National Behcet's Centre of Excellence, Liverpool, UK
| | - Rikesh Patel
- Rheumatology Department, Manchester University Foundation NHS Trust, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, UK
| | - Joanna Robson
- Centre for Health and Clinical Research, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK
- Department of Rheumatology, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Pratyasha Saha
- Rheumatology Department, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Norwich, UK
| | - Sarah Tansley
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Bath, UK
- Royal United Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Royal United Hospitals Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Sarah L Mackie
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
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