Cyclophosphamide versus mycophenolate mofetil in scleroderma interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) as induction therapy: a single-centre, retrospective analysis

Therapeutic management of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis patients - an analysis from the Swiss EUSTAR cohort

OBJECTIVES

Systemic sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune connective tissue disease leading to microvascular and fibrotic manifestations in multiple organs. Several treatment options and recommendations from different European countries are available. In this study, for which the ambit is Switzerland specifically, we aim to describe the treatment patterns of systemic sclerosis patients with fibrotic manifestations.

METHODS

Systemic sclerosis patients were selected from six Swiss tertiary centres recorded in the multicentre, prospective European Scleroderma Trials and Research (EUSTAR) registry. Patients fulfilling the 2013 ACR/EULAR systemic sclerosis classification criteria at baseline were included. To determine the differences in treatment of varying degrees of fibrosis, four groups were identified: (1) patients with a modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) >0; (2) those with mRSS ≥7; (3) those with interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD), diagnosed by either chest X-Ray or high-resolution computed tomography; and (4) patients fulfilling one of the additional criteria for extensive interstitial lung disease, defined as interstitial lung disease involvement of >20% in high-resolution computed tomography, dyspnea NYHA-stage 3/4, or a predicted forced vital capacity (FVC) of <70%.

RESULTS

A total of 590 patients with systemic sclerosis fulfilled the inclusion criteria. In this cohort, 421 (71.4%) had mRSS >0, of whom 195 (33.1%) had mRSS ≥7; interstitial lung disease was diagnosed in 198 of 456 (43.4%), of whom 106 (18.0 %) showed extensive interstitial lung disease. Regarding non-biologic disease-modifying medications (DMARDs), the most frequently prescribed was methotrexate, followed by hydroxychloroquine and mycophenolate mofetil. Rituximab and tocilizumab were most frequently used among the biologic DMARDs. Specifically, 148/372 (39.8%) of treated patients with skin fibrosis received methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil or rituximab, and 80/177 (45.2%) with interstitial lung disease received cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil, tocilizumab or rituximab. Most patients received a proton-pump inhibitor, and few patients underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

CONCLUSION

Overall, in Switzerland, a wide range of medications is prescribed for systemic sclerosis patients. This includes modern, targeted treatments for which randomised controlled clinical trial have been recently reported.

Treatment of Systemic Sclerosis-associated Interstitial Lung Disease: Evidence-based Recommendations. An Official American Thoracic Society Clinical Practice Guideline

Background: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). To date, clinical practice guidelines regarding treatment for patients with SSc-ILD are primarily consensus based. Methods: An international expert guideline committee composed of 24 individuals with expertise in rheumatology, SSc, pulmonology, ILD, or methodology, and with personal experience with SSc-ILD, discussed systematic reviews of the published evidence assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. Predetermined conflict-of-interest management strategies were applied, and recommendations were made for or against specific treatment interventions exclusively by the nonconflicted panelists. The confidence in effect estimates, importance of outcomes studied, balance of desirable and undesirable consequences of treatment, cost, feasibility, acceptability of the intervention, and implications for health equity were all considered in making the recommendations. This was in accordance with the American Thoracic Society guideline development process, which is in compliance with the Institute of Medicine standards for trustworthy guidelines. Results: For treatment of patients with SSc-ILD, the committee: 1) recommends the use of mycophenolate; 2) recommends further research into the safety and efficacy of (a) pirfenidone and (b) the combination of pirfenidone plus mycophenolate; and 3) suggests the use of (a) cyclophosphamide, (b) rituximab, (c) tocilizumab, (d) nintedanib, and (e) the combination of nintedanib plus mycophenolate. Conclusions: The recommendations herein provide an evidence-based clinical practice guideline for the treatment of patients with SSc-ILD and are intended to serve as the basis for informed and shared decision making by clinicians and patients.

Mycophenolate in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis-associated Interstitial Lung Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Rationale: The American Thoracic Society convened an international, multidisciplinary panel to develop clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD). Objective: To conduct a systematic review and evaluate the literature to determine whether patients with SSc-ILD should be treated with mycophenolate. Methods: A literature search was conducted across the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases through June 2022 for studies using mycophenolate to treat patients with SSc-ILD. Mortality, disease progression, quality of life, and adverse event data were extracted, and meta-analyses were performed when possible. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) Working Group method was used to assess the quality of evidence. Results: The literature review resulted in seven studies fitting the inclusion criteria. The systematic review and meta-analyses revealed changes in forced vital capacity % predicted (mean difference [MD], 5.4%; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 3.3%, 7.5%), diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide % predicted (MD, 4.64%; 95% CI: 0.54%, 8.74%), and breathlessness score (MD, 1.99; 95% CI: 0.36, 3.62) favored mycophenolate over placebo. The risk of anemia (relative risk [RR], 2.3; 95% CI: 1.2, 71.4) was higher with mycophenolate. There were no significant differences between mycophenolate and cyclophosphamide, except risk of premature discontinuation (RR, 0.6; 95% CI: 0.4, 0.9), and leukopenia (RR, 0.1; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.4) favored mycophenolate. The quality of evidence was moderate to very low per GRADE. Conclusions: Mycophenolate use in patients with SSc-ILD is associated with statistically significant improvements in disease progression and quality-of-life measures compared with placebo. There were no differences in mortality, disease progression, or quality of life compared with cyclophosphamide, but there were fewer adverse events. The quality of evidence is very low.

Cyclophosphamide in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis-associated Interstitial Lung Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: The American Thoracic Society convened an international, multidisciplinary panel to develop clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD). Objective: To conduct a systematic review and evaluate the literature to determine whether patients with SSc-ILD should be treated with cyclophosphamide. Data Sources: A literature search was conducted across the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases through June 2022 for studies using cyclophosphamide to treat patients with SSc-ILD. Data Extraction: Mortality, disease progression, quality of life, and adverse event data were extracted, and meta-analyses were performed when possible. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation Working Group method was used to assess the quality of evidence. Synthesis: Five studies were included; two randomized controlled trials compared cyclophosphamide versus placebo, and one randomized controlled trial and two retrospective case-control studies compared cyclophosphamide versus mycophenolate. Compared with placebo, there was a 2.83% reduction in the decline at 12 months for forced vital capacity (FVC) % predicted using cyclophosphamide (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80-4.87; low evidence). There were improvements in breathlessness (Transition Dyspnea Index mean difference [MD], 2.90; 95% CI, 1.94-3.86; minimum clinically important difference, 1; moderate evidence) and disability (Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index MD, -0.16; 95% CI, -0.28 to -0.04; minimum clinically important difference, -0.14; moderate evidence). There were increased risks of leukopenia and constitutional symptoms using cyclophosphamide, but no difference in mortality. When cyclophosphamide was compared with mycophenolate, there were differences in diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide % predicted favoring mycophenolate at 6 months (MD, -3.67%; 95% CI, -6.3% to -1.1% unadjusted; MD, -4.88%; 95% CI, -7.3% to -2.5% adjusted for alveolar volume; moderate evidence), 12 months (MD, -5.90%; 95% CI, -8.4% to -3.4% adjusted for alveolar volume; moderate evidence), and 18 months (MD, -3.26%; 95% CI, -6.1% to -0.4%; moderate evidence), but not at 24 months. There were no differences in FVC % predicted, mortality, or quality-of-life outcomes, but participants were more likely to prematurely discontinue cyclophosphamide compared with mycophenolate (relative risk, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.10-2.63; high-certainty evidence). Conclusions: A review of the published evidence shows that cyclophosphamide is effective in SSc-ILD compared with placebo, with an increased risk of side effects. However, mycophenolate may be equivocal or better than cyclophosphamide. Clinicians and patients should weigh the potential benefits and risks with respect to individual patient circumstances and preferences.

Heterogeneity of determining disease severity, clinical course and outcomes in systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease: a systematic literature review

Objective The course of systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) is highly variable and different from continuously progressive idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Most proposed definitions of progressive pulmonary fibrosis or SSc-ILD severity are based on the research data from patients with IPF and are not validated for patients with SSc-ILD. Our study aimed to gather the current evidence for severity, progression and outcomes of SSc-ILD.Methods A systematic literature review to search for definitions of severity, progression and outcomes recorded for SSc-ILD was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines in Medline, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library up to 1 August 2023.Results A total of 9054 papers were reviewed and 342 were finally included. The most frequent tools used for the definition of SSc-ILD progression and severity were combined changes of carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO) and forced vital capacity (FVC), isolated FVC or DLCO changes, high-resolution CT (HRCT) extension and composite algorithms including pulmonary function test, clinical signs and HRCT data. Mortality was the most frequently reported long-term event, both from all causes or ILD related.Conclusions The studies presenting definitions of SSc-ILD 'progression', 'severity' and 'outcome' show a large heterogeneity. These results emphasise the need for developing a standardised, consensus definition of severe SSc-ILD, to link a disease specific definition of progression as a surrogate outcome for clinical trials and clinical practice.PROSPERO registration number CRD42022379254.Cite Now.

The emerging role of mycophenolate mofetil in interstitial lung diseases

INTRODUCTION

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), initially approved to prevent rejection in solid organ allograft, is now being increasingly used for other conditions. Over the last decade, MMF has emerged as a useful therapy for a variety of immune-mediated diseases.

AREAS COVERED

There has been a growing interest in the clinical use of MMF in the treatment of ILDs due to its versatile anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anti-fibrotic and anti-proliferative properties. In this focussed review, we summarize the available literature using the Pubmed, Science Direct and EMBASE databases published until June 2021 on the efficacy and tolerability of MMF in various ILDs.

EXPERT OPINION

Other than idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and its broader category of progressive fibrosing ILD, there have been no drugs approved by relevant regulatory agencies for the treatment of the multiple other forms of ILD. Though results are limited, immunosuppressants such as MMF have shown promise as an effective and well-tolerated steroid-sparing agent, providing hope that the limited treatment armamentarium for ILDs can be expanded.

[Importance of mycophenolate mofetil for treatment of interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis]

Interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis (SSc-ILD) is a frequent organ complication with considerable mortality. Therapeutically, immunosuppressants are primarily used, particularly cyclophosphamide (CYC) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Recently acquired data also showed an efficacy of the biologics rituximab and tocilizumab. The therapeutic options have most recently been expanded by the approval of the antifibrotic drug nintedanib. It is particularly beneficial in progressive fibrosing courses of ILD despite immunosuppression. The data from controlled trials on the efficacy and safety of CYC and MMF compiled in this review argue for a preferential use of MMF; however, the approval of MMF for this indication is still lacking. This is urgently needed for improved and simplified care of patients with SSc-ILD.

Updates in Systemic Sclerosis Treatment and Applicability to Pediatric Scleroderma

Juvenile-onset systemic sclerosis (jSSc) is a complex multisystem inflammatory-driven disease of fibrosis, requiring multifaceted treatment including pharmacologic therapy, supportive care, and lifestyle modification. Most regimens are adapted from adult SSc treatment given the rarity of the disease. Landmark trials over the past decade in adult SSc have led to 2 Food and Drug Administration-approved therapies for SSc-associated interstitial lung disease, and several ongoing trials of other biological agents are underway. Resetting the immune system with autologous stem cell transplant to halt this disease earlier in its course, especially in pediatric onset where disease burden can accumulate, is on the horizon.

Mycophenolate in scleroderma-associated interstitial lung disease: Real-world data from rheumatology and pulmonology clinics in South Asia

INTRODUCTION

There is a paucity of real-world data on mycophenolate mofetil/mycophenolate sodium in systemic sclerosis-related interstitial lung disease.

AIM

To study the efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil/ mycophenolate sodium in systemic sclerosis-related interstitial lung disease.

METHODS

In this single-centre study, clinical, laboratory and imaging details of consecutive patients with systemic sclerosis-related interstitial lung disease receiving mycophenolate mofetil/mycophenolate sodium from rheumatology and pulmonology clinics between January 2008 and March 2017 were retrospectively retrieved. The change in percentage of predicted normal forced vital capacity at last follow-up visit as compared with baseline was studied. In addition, high-resolution computed tomography scans at baseline and 2-year follow-up visit were scored as either stable/improved or worsened by experienced thoracic radiologists blinded to the clinical details of patients.

RESULTS

Altogether, 88 patients (85.2% females) with mean age (SD) of 33.8 years (± 11.3) and median (interquartile range) duration of disease since non-Raynaud's symptoms of 36 months (13.5-60) were studied. Diffuse systemic sclerosis comprised 85.2% of them. The mean baseline forced vital capacity was 61.2 ± 17.9% and median scores for ground glass opacities and fibrosis in high-resolution computed tomography were 0.5 (0-1.3) and 1 (0-1.3), respectively. At a median follow-up duration of 30 months (interquartile range = 16.5-49), the percentage of forced vital capacity improved by 1.8% (-3.82 to 9.07) as compared with baseline visit (p = 0.02). In the 2-year follow-up, the ground glass opacity and fibrosis scores in high-resolution computed tomography improved in 17.3% and 7.7% of patients and stabilized in 63.5% and 78.8% patients, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Mycophenolate mofetil/mycophenolate sodium was efficacious in improving /stabilizing forced vital capacity irrespective of the baseline high-resolution computed tomography lung scores in our patients with systemic sclerosis-related interstitial lung disease during the ⩾ 2-year follow-up period.

Efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil versus cyclophosphamide in systemic sclerosis-related interstitial lung disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

This study systematically compares the efficacy and adverse events of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and cyclophosphamide (CYC) in patients with systemic sclerosis-related interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD).

METHODS

The EMBASE and PubMed databases were systematically searched to find all relevant studies. Quality assessment, study selection, and data extraction were independently conducted by two reviewers. The mean changes in forced vital capacity (FVC)% and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco)% of the patients were selected to be primary outcome measures. Stata software was used for the pooled analysis.

RESULTS

Among 284 titles screened from multiple databases, six studies met the inclusion criteria (one randomized controlled trial, three prospective observational studies, and two retrospective observational studies). The summary weighted mean difference (WMD) of FVC change in the MMF group compared with the CYC group was - 1.17 (95% CI: - 2.713, 0.373; P = 0.137), and the summary WMD of DLco change in the MMF group compared with the CYC group was 2.245 (95% CI: 0.258, 4.232; P = 0.027). Studies enrolled showed that adverse events were less common in the MMF group.

CONCLUSIONS

The efficacy of MMF with respect to FVC and DLco improvement is comparable to that of CYC, and MMF is preferred on the basis of the occurrence of adverse events. Key Points • A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to compare the efficacy and adverse events of mycophenolate mofetil and cyclophosphamide in patients with systemic sclerosis-related interstitial lung disease. • The efficacy of MMF with respect to FVC and DLco improvement is comparable to that of CYC, and MMF is preferred on the basis of the occurrence of adverse events.

Patient and Physician Perspectives on Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease

Systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease is challenging to diagnose and treat. Patients and physicians can perceive the disease differently and have different views on its management. Communication issues between them can lead to suboptimal disease management. Despite a clear need for improvement in the speed and accuracy of the diagnostic workup, the heterogeneity of clinical symptoms renders the process long and challenging. When considering treatment options, physicians may be more focused on the evidence supporting a particular treatment or on a patient's pulmonary function test results, as opposed to the realities of the patient's difficulties with symptoms or the psychosocial effects of systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease. Disease management plans should be determined by the patient's own preferences and goals as well as the objective clinical situation. Health care providers must consider their patients as partners on a journey in which treatment decisions are reached jointly. This review will focus on the perspectives of physicians and patients in relation to the diagnosis and management of systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease. Similarities and differences in these perspectives will be identified, and strategies for achieving optimal disease management will be proposed.

The future of treatment in systemic sclerosis: can we design better trials?

Strides have been made in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension and interstitial lung disease in patients with systemic sclerosis, with successful trials of combination therapies in pulmonary arterial hypertension and of new drugs that slow the decline of lung function in interstitial lung disease. However, many trials in patients with early diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis have been negative, including trials of tocilizumab, abatacept, and riociguat, despite improvements in skin scores and other endpoints that approached statistical significance. Trials of macitentan for digital ulcers in these patients have also been disappointing. Trials that do not meet their primary endpoint do not necessarily signify ineffective therapies, as there are many other possible reasons for negative trial results, including features of trial design, insufficient trial duration, or insufficient power to detect differences between groups. In this Series paper, I discuss some of these reasons and what the research community can learn from negative trials to inform future trial design going forward.

Treatment of the Connective Tissue Disease-Related Interstitial Lung Diseases: A Narrative Review

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a frequent complication of patients with connective tissue disease (CTD) and significantly affects morbidity and mortality. Disease course may vary from stable or mildly progressive to more severe, with rapid loss of lung function. We conducted a search of PubMed (National Library of Medicine) and the Web of Science Core Collection using the key words lung, pulmonary, pneumonia, pneumonitis, and alveolar and subtypes of CTD. All clinical studies from January 1, 1980, through September 1, 2018, were reviewed for descriptions of specific therapies and their efficacy or safety and were categorized as controlled interventional trials, observational prospective or retrospective cohort studies, case series (>5 patients), and case reports (<5 patients). Low-quality reports (<5 patients) before 2000, reviews, editorials, popular science papers, and letters to the editor without complete descriptions of the therapies used or their outcomes were excluded. Directed therapy for CTD-ILD is dominated by empirical use of immunosuppressive agents, with the decision to treat, treatment choice, and treatment duration limited to cases and cohort observations. Only a few higher-level controlled studies were available specifically in scleroderma-related ILD. We summarize herein for the clinician the published treatment scope and experience, highlighted clinical response, and common adverse reactions for the management of CTD-ILD.

The identification and management of interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis: evidence-based European consensus statements

BACKGROUND

Systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) carries a high mortality risk; expert guidance is required to aid early recognition and treatment. We aimed to develop the first expert consensus and define an algorithm for the identification and management of the condition through application of well established methods.

METHODS

Evidence-based consensus statements for systemic sclerosis-associated ILD management were established for six domains (ie, risk factors, screening, diagnosis and severity assessment, treatment initiation and options, disease progression, and treatment escalation) using a modified Delphi process based on a systematic literature analysis. A panel of 27 Europe-based pulmonologists, rheumatologists, and internists with expertise in systemic sclerosis-associated ILD participated in three rounds of online surveys, a face-to-face discussion, and a WebEx meeting, followed by two supplemental Delphi rounds, to establish consensus and define a management algorithm. Consensus was considered achieved if at least 80% of panellists indicated agreement or disagreement.

FINDINGS

Between July 1, 2018, and Aug 27, 2019, consensus agreement was reached for 52 primary statements and six supplemental statements across six domains of management, and an algorithm was defined for clinical practice use. The agreed statements most important for clinical use included: all patients with systemic sclerosis should be screened for systemic sclerosis-associated ILD using high-resolution CT; high-resolution CT is the primary tool for diagnosing ILD in systemic sclerosis; pulmonary function tests support screening and diagnosis; systemic sclerosis-associated ILD severity should be measured with more than one indicator; it is appropriate to treat all severe cases; no pharmacological treatment is an option for some patients; follow-up assessments enable identification of disease progression; progression pace, alongside disease severity, drives decisions to escalate treatment.

INTERPRETATION

Through a robust modified Delphi process developed by a diverse panel of experts, the first evidence-based consensus statements were established on guidance for the identification and medical management of systemic sclerosis-associated ILD.

FUNDING

An unrestricted grant from Boehringer Ingelheim International.

Exosomes in Systemic Sclerosis: Messengers Between Immune, Vascular and Fibrotic Components?

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare autoimmune disease, characterized by vasculopathy and fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. This disease is still considered incurable and is associated with a high risk of mortality, which is related to fibrotic events. An early diagnosis is useful for preventing complications, and targeted therapies reduce disease progression and ameliorate patients’ quality of life. Nevertheless, there are no validated biomarkers for early diagnosis with predictive prognostic value. Exosomes are membrane vesicles, transporting proteins and nucleic acids that may be delivered to target cells, which influences cellular behavior. They play important roles in cell–cell communication, both in physiological and pathological conditions, and may be useful as circulating biomarkers. Recent evidences suggest a role for these microvesicles in the three main aspects related to the pathogenesis of SSc (immunity, vascular damage, and fibrosis). Moreover, exosomes are of particular interest in the field of nano-delivery and are used as biological carriers. In this review, we report the latest information concerning SSc pathogenesis, clinical aspects of SSc, and current approaches to the treatment of SSc. Furthermore, we indicate a possible role of exosomes in SSc pathogenesis and suggest their potential use as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, as well as therapeutic tools.

Thoracic Manifestations of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is commonly associated with pulmonary disease that can affect any anatomic compartment of the thorax. The most common intrathoracic manifestations of RA include interstitial lung disease, airway disease, pleural disease, rheumatoid nodules, and drug-induced toxicity. Patients with RA with thoracic involvement often present with nonspecific respiratory symptoms, although many are asymptomatic. Therefore, clinicians should routinely consider pulmonary disease when evaluating any patient with RA, particularly one with known risk factors. The optimal screening, diagnostic, and treatment strategies for RA-associated pulmonary disease remain uncertain and are the focus of ongoing investigation.

Cyclophosphamide pulse therapy as treatment for severe interstitial lung diseases

Introduction

Besides invasive or non-invasive ventilation, treatment of severe forms of interstitial lung diseases (ILD) includes immunosuppressive medication. In case of refractory organ- or life-threatening courses of disease, cyclophosphamide pulse therapy can serve as a rescue treatment option.

Objectives

To investigate therapeutic and prognostic effects of cyclophosphamide for the treatment of severe forms of ILD on intensive care unit (ICU) we performed this analysis.

Methods

Between 2009 and 2017 we identified 14 patients, who were treated on intensive care unit (ICU) with severe forms of ILD. Retrospectively, clinical, radiologic and prognostic data were collected and evaluated.

Results

Our analysis demonstrated a prognostic impact of cyclophosphamide on the ILD in general. Whereas pulmonary manifestations of both systemic sclerosis (SSc) and ANCA-associated vasculitis had an improved outcome, a reduced overall survival was found for Goodpasture syndrome (GPS), dermatomyositis (DM), cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS; p=0.040, logrank test). Besides, additional plasmapheresis and initiation of cyclophosphamide within ten days following initial diagnosis of ILD were associated with improved prognosis.

Conclusion

Positive prognostic effects of cyclophosphamide pulse therapy in ICU treated patients suffering from severe respiratory failure due to pulmonary manifestations of both SSc and ANCA-associated-vasculitis were observed. Further prognostic and therapeutic data are needed for cyclophosphamide for this indication in order to prevent patients from its toxic side-effects, who most likely will not benefit from its application.

Interstitial Lung Diseases in Developing Countries

More than 100 different conditions are grouped under the term interstitial lung disease (ILD). A diagnosis of an ILD primarily relies on a combination of clinical, radiological, and pathological criteria, which should be evaluated by a multidisciplinary team of specialists. Multiple factors, such as environmental and occupational exposures, infections, drugs, radiation, and genetic predisposition have been implicated in the pathogenesis of these conditions. Asbestosis and other pneumoconiosis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), chronic beryllium disease, and smoking-related ILD are specifically linked to inhalational exposure of environmental agents. The recent Global Burden of Disease Study reported that ILD rank 40th in relation to global years of life lost in 2013, which represents an increase of 86% compared to 1990. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the prototype of fibrotic ILD. A recent study from the United States reported that the incidence and prevalence of IPF are 14.6 per 100,000 person-years and 58.7 per 100,000 persons, respectively. These data suggests that, in large populated areas such as Brazil, Russia, India, and China (the BRIC region), there may be approximately 2 million people living with IPF. However, studies from South America found much lower rates (0.4–1.2 cases per 100,000 per year). Limited access to high-resolution computed tomography and spirometry or to multidisciplinary teams for accurate diagnosis and optimal treatment are common challenges to the management of ILD in developing countries.

Interstitial Lung Disease and Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Practical Approach for General Medicine Physicians with Focus on the Medical History

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) and pulmonary fibrosis comprise a wide array of inflammatory and fibrotic lung diseases which are often confusing to general medicine and pulmonary physicians alike. In addition to the myriad of clinical and radiologic nomenclature used in ILD, histopathologic descriptors may be particularly confusing, and are often extrapolated to radiologic imaging patterns which may further add to the confusion. We propose that rather than focusing on precise histologic findings, focus should be on identifying an accurate etiology of ILD through a comprehensive and detailed medical history. Histopathologic patterns from lung biopsy should not be dismissed, but are often nonspecific, and overall treatment strategy and prognosis are likely to be determined more by the specific etiology of ILD rather than any particular histologic pattern. In this review, we outline a practical approach to common ILDs, highlight important aspects in obtaining an exposure history, clarify terminology and nomenclature, and discuss six common subgroups of ILD likely to be encountered by general medicine physicians in the inpatient or outpatient setting: Smoking-related, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, connective tissue disease-related, occupation-related, medication-induced, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Accurate diagnosis of these forms of ILD does require supplementing the medical history with results of the physical examination, autoimmune serologic testing, and chest radiographic imaging, but the importance of a comprehensive environmental, avocational, occupational, and medication-use history cannot be overstated and is likely the single most important factor responsible for achieving the best possible outcomes for patients.

Rheumatology science and practice in India

The practice of rheumatology in a country like India presents its own unique challenges, including the need to manage patients in a cost-constrained setting, where the lack of uniform government funding for healthcare merits the need to optimize the use of cheaper medicines, as well as devise innovative strategies to minimize the use of costlier drugs such as biologic disease-modifying agents. Use of immunosuppressive agents is also associated with increased risks of infectious complications, such as the reactivation of tuberculosis. In this narrative review, we provide a flavor of such challenges unique to Rheumatology practice in India, and review the published literature on the management of common rheumatic diseases from India. In addition, we critically review existing guidelines for the management of rheumatic diseases from this part of the world. We also discuss infectious etiologies of rheumatic complaints, such as leprosy, tuberculosis, and Chikungunya arthritis, which are often encountered here, and pose a diagnostic as well as therapeutic challenge for clinicians. There remains a need to identify and test more cost-effective strategies for Indian patients with rheumatic diseases, as well as the requirement for more government participation to enhance scant facilities for the treatment of such diseases as well as foster the development of healthcare services such as specialist nurses, occupational therapists and physiotherapists to enable better management of these conditions.

Immunotherapy of systemic sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic systemic disease characterized by microvasculopathy, immune activation, and extensive collagen deposition. Microvasculopathy and immune activation occur very early in the disease process. Evidence from animal models and in vitro studies indicate that T-cells and B-cells activate fibroblasts to produce collagen. Traditional immunosuppressants, cyclophosphamide(CyP), methotrexate(MTX), and more recently mycophenolate mofetil(MMF), may prove more effective if used very early in the disease course. These drugs showed some benefit in skin (MTX, CyP, MMF) and lung function (CyP, MMF). Biologicals, such as intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), belimumab(Beli), tocilizumab(TCZ), abatacept(Aba), rituximab(RTX) and fresolimumab(Fresu) appear promising as they exhibited some benefit in skin (IVIg, Beli, TCZ, Aba, RTX, Fresu), hand function (IVIg), and joints (IVIg, TCZ, Aba). Autologous stem cell transplantation showed the best therapeutic efficacy on skin and internal organs, and looks very promising, as modification of transplantation immunosuppression is decreasing the early high mortality.

Pulmonary function tests as outcomes for systemic sclerosis interstitial lung disease

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in systemic sclerosis (SSc). We performed a systematic review to characterise the use and validation of pulmonary function tests (PFTs) as surrogate markers for systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) progression.Five electronic databases were searched to identify all relevant studies. Included studies either used at least one PFT measure as a longitudinal outcome for SSc-ILD progression (i.e. outcome studies) and/or reported at least one classical measure of validity for the PFTs in SSc-ILD (i.e. validation studies).This systematic review included 169 outcome studies and 50 validation studies. Diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) was cumulatively the most commonly used outcome until 2010 when it was surpassed by forced vital capacity (FVC). FVC (% predicted) was the primary endpoint in 70.4% of studies, compared to 11.3% for % predicted DLCO Only five studies specifically aimed to validate the PFTs: two concluded that DLCO was the best measure of SSc-ILD extent, while the others did not favour any PFT. These studies also showed respectable validity measures for total lung capacity (TLC).Despite the current preference for FVC, available evidence suggests that DLCO and TLC should not yet be discounted as potential surrogate markers for SSc-ILD progression.

Effect of ultraviolet irradiation on free radical scavenging activity of immunosuppressants used in lung transplantation and comparative electron paramagnetic resonance study of kinetics of their interactions with model free radicals

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

The immunosuppressive drugs used in solid organ transplantation or autoimmunological processes were studied by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy to estimate their free radical scavenging activity. The interactions of immunosuppressants with free radicals were examined by an X-band (9.3 GHz) EPR spectroscopy and a model of DPPH free radicals.

METHODS

The EPR spectra of DPPH and DPPH interacting with individual drugs were compared. Kinetic studies were performed, and the effect of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation on the free radical scavenging activity of the tested drugs was determined.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The free radical scavenging activity of non-irradiated drugs decreased in the order: rapamycin > mycophenolate mofetil > ciclosporin > tacrolimus. UV irradiation increased the free radical scavenging activity of all the tested immunosuppressive drugs, and the effect was highest for tacrolimus. For the non-irradiated samples, the speed of free radical interactions decreased in the order: ciclosporin > tacrolimus > mycophenolate mofetil > rapamycin. UV irradiation only slightly affected the speed of interactions of the immunosuppressive drugs with the model DPPH free radicals.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy is useful for obtaining information on interactions of immunosuppressive drugs with free radicals. We hypothesized that the long-term immunosuppressive effects of these drugs after transplantation or during autoimmune disorders may be mediated by anti-inflammatory action in addition to the known receptor/cell cycle inhibition.

Mycophenolate mofetil as a therapeutic agent for interstitial lung diseases in systemic sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an intractable disease that causes fibrosis in all organs. Approximately 40% of patients with SSc have some degree of interstitial lung disease (ILD). One third of patients with SSc and ILD, approximately 15% of all patients, have pulmonary lesions, which slowly progress to respiratory failure resistant to corticosteroid and other treatments. A randomized controlled trial conducted in the United States indicated that one year of treatment with oral cyclophosphamide in patients with SSc-ILD had a significant but modest beneficial effect on lung function, dyspnea, thickening of the skin, and health-related quality of life. However, all the effects, except for a sustained impact on dyspnea, disappeared approximately one year after stopping oral administration of cyclophosphamide. A randomized controlled trial using cyclophosphamide and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) was then held in the United States for 142 patients with SSc-ILD. Treatment of SSc-ILD with MMF for two years or cyclophosphamide for one year both resulted in significant improvements in lung function over the 2-year course of the study. Leukopenia and thrombocytopenia occurred less often in patients administered MMF than in those administered cyclophosphamide. MMF is currently not approved for the treatment of SSc-ILD in Japan. Both MMF and cyclophosphamide were effective against ILD associated with SSc and, in particular, MMF was useful in terms of tolerability. When MMF is approved, it should be positioned as one of the first treatment options for SSc-ILD, which will further enhance the treatment of this disease in Japan.

Management of the Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient with Interstitial Lung Disease

The treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has undergone considerable changes over the last 15–20 years. With an expansion in the armamentarium of therapies available for RA comes a wider choice in selecting the best treatment in terms of comparative safety in the presence of comorbidities. Clinicians frequently encounter patients with RA-associated interstitial lung disease with uncontrolled joint disease and have to make decisions about the safest treatments in this context with the eventual goal of joint remission. In this chapter, available evidence is reviewed on the comparative pulmonary safety of non-biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (nbDMARDs), biologic DMARDs, biosimilars and targeted synthetic DMARDs in RA-ILD. In addition, the potential role for additional immunosuppression in RA-ILD is reviewed as well as overarching recommendations proposed for patient assessment to guide treatment decisions and management.