Resolution of Giant Coronary Aneurisms in a Child With Refractory Kawasaki Disease Treated With Anakinra

Multiresistant Kawasaki Disease in a Young Infant with Giant Aneurysms Growing Fast

BACKGROUND

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a type of vasculitis in which giant coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs) can occur. There are no specific guidelines for managing giant CAAs that develop quickly and are at risk of rupture. Regarding cardiovascular drugs, only beta-blockers are formally recommended in the acute phase of KD.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 6-month-old male patient with multiresistant Kawasaki disease and giant CAAs that continued to enlarge after controlling systemic inflammation was examined. The patient required three doses of intravenous immunoglobulin, methylprednisolone pulses, and anakinra and infliximab to normalize systemic inflammation. Due to the rapid increment of aneurysms' dimensions and the risk of rupture, we introduced anticoagulant therapy and propranolol plus captopril, and titration doses were introduced according to a tolerated decrease in heart rate and arterial pressure. CAAs increment stabilized and slowly reduced their dimensions.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors describe an atypical case of multiresistant KD with giant rapidly increasing CAAs even after controlling systemic inflammation. The introduction of a beta-blocker and an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor was demonstrated to be useful for stabilizing giant CAAs growth and reducing the potential risk of rupture.

Efficacy and safety of infliximab in the treatment of Kawasaki disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Infliximab is a monoclonal antibody specifically binding tumor necrosis factor-alpha and has been approved for the treatment of several inflammatory disorders. However, the efficacy of infliximab in primary treatment of Kawasaki disease (KD) or retreatment of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)-resistant KD in children is controversial. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to compare the efficacy of infliximab alone or in combination with IVIG to IVIG. Eligible randomized and non-randomized trials were retrieved by searching literature databases prior to May 31, 2023. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated for dichotomous variables, and mean difference (MD) with 95% CI was estimated for continuous variables. A total of 14 eligible studies comprising 1257 participants were included. In refractory KD, infliximab alone was associated with a higher effectiveness rate (OR = 4.48, 95% CI 2.67-7.52) and defervescence rate (OR = 5.01, 95% CI 2.99-8.37) and resulted in a 1.08-day-shorter duration of fever (95% CI 0.61-1.55, P < 0.001) and 1.36-day-shorter length of hospital stay (95% CI 0.65-2.08) compared with IVIG. Incidences of coronary artery lesions (CALs), newly developing CALs, and CAL regression did not differ between both groups. For initial treatment of KD, infliximab in addition to IVIG led to a nominally significant higher effectiveness rate (OR = 2.26, 95% CI 1.02-5.01) and a larger reduction of right coronary artery Z score (MD = -0.24, 95% CI -0.27 to -0.21) but did not show additional efficacy in improving other outcomes. The safety profile was similar between both groups.   Conclusion: The meta-analysis demonstrates that infliximab alone is a well-tolerated and effective treatment for IVIG-resistant KD. The additional efficacy of infliximab to IVIG for initial treatment of KD is limited. More large and high-quality trials are needed to confirm the efficacy of infliximab, especially for intensification of primary treatment for KD. What is Known: • Infliximab is a novel monoclonal antibody specifically blocking tumor necrosis factor-alpha and is approved for treatment of several immune-mediated inflammatory disorders. • The efficacy of infliximab in treating children with Kawasaki disease is controversial. What is New: • Infliximab is an effective and safe treatment for children with refractory Kawasaki disease but adds limited efficacy to intravenous immunoglobulin for initial treatment of Kawasaki disease.

Surgical treatment of coronary artery lesions in children with Kawasaki disease

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to explore the efficacy of different surgical treatment for coronary artery lesions (CALs) caused by Kawasaki disease (KD) in children.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the records of children with KD who presented with CALs to our hospital between 2015 and 2022. The patients were aged 126 ± 44.3 months (range: 84-180 months), and their body weight was 37.1 ± 18.6 kg (range: 17-60 kg). All patients were diagnosed with KD and were treated with standard medications. The patients had CALs for an average of 78 months (range: 24-156 months). All children underwent surgical treatment. In addition, one patient underwent cardiac defibrillator implantation, two underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and one underwent heart bypass transplantation. The internal thoracic artery was used as the source of the left anterior descending branch bridge tube. The no-touch technique was used to obtain the free right thigh great saphenous vein as the bridge tube of the right coronary artery.

RESULTS

All four patients had good postoperative recovery and the cardiac ultrasonography showed improved cardiac function and smooth coronary artery blood flow. The preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction was 44 ± 23.4%, which was significantly improved to 61.4 ± 14.0% postoperatively (p > .05). The preoperative left ventricle size was 5.6 ± 1.6 cm, which was significantly improved to 4.0 ± 0.6 cm postoperatively (p > .05). The two patients who underwent CABG received oral aspirin (5 mg/kg) and clopidogrel (1 mg/kg) antiplatelet therapy. The patients received oral tacrolimus antirejection drugs after the heart transplantation. The postoperative cardiac function was above grade II, and there were no symptoms of cardiac insufficiency, such as syncope, chest tightness, and orthopnea.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with CALs due to KD should be treated in a timely manner. The selection of an appropriate surgical treatment leads to prolonged survival and improved quality of life of patients.

Kawasaki Disease and Coronary Artery Involvement: A Narrative Review

Kawasaki disease is a systemic vasculitis with a risk of developing coronary artery lesions if left untreated. Kawasaki disease can be diagnosed clinically with classical symptoms (conjunctivitis, rash, lymphadenopathy, mucositis, edema of hands and feet), but predicting the risk of developing coronary artery aneurysm remains challenging. The coronary sequelae of Kawasaki disease have significant morbidity and mortality and are the second most common cause of acquired cardiac disease in children. Several genetic and immune factors are involved in the inflammation of coronary artery lesions in Kawasaki disease. Inositol trisphosphate 3-Kinase (ITPKC), Foxp3+, circular RNAs, mannose-binding lectin 2 (MBL2), complement factor H (CFH), kininogen 1 (KNG1), serpin family C member 1 (SERPINC1) and fibronectin 1 (FN1) are the essential genes identified in the pathogenesis of coronary artery lesions in Kawasaki disease. The addition of methylprednisolone to a combination of aspirin and intravenous immunoglobulins and biological agents like anakinra, etanercept, infliximab, and immunosuppressants like cyclosporine prevents the occurrence of coronary artery aneurysms in Kawasaki disease. Since the coronary artery lesions form the second most common cause of acquired cardiac disease in children and the incidence of myocardial infarction is a late complication, the risk stratification for coronary artery aneurysms and follow-up protocols for the prevention of cardiac thrombosis were proposed by the American Heart Association in 2017.

Anakinra Treatment in Patients with Acute Kawasaki Disease with Coronary Artery Aneurysms: A Phase I/IIa Trial

OBJECTIVES

To determine the safety, pharmacokinetics, and immunomodulatory effects of 2-6 weeks of anakinra therapy in patients with acute Kawasaki disease with a coronary artery aneurysm (CAA).

STUDY DESIGN

We performed a Phase I/IIa dose-escalation study of anakinra (2-11 mg/kg/day) in 22 patients with acute Kawasaki disease with CAA. We measured interleukin (IL)-1RA concentrations after the first dose and trough levels up to study week 6. Markers of inflammation and coronary artery z-scores were assessed pretreatment and at 48 hours, 2 weeks, and 6 weeks after initiation of therapy.

RESULTS

Up to 6 weeks of anakinra (up to 11 mg/kg/day) was safe and well tolerated by the 22 participants (median age, 1.1 years), with no serious adverse events attributable to the study drug. All participants were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and 20 also received infliximab (10 mg/kg) before initiation of anakinra. Serum levels of IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor α decreased similarly in patients with Kawasaki disease treated with IVIG, infliximab, and anakinra compared with age- and sex-matched patients with Kawasaki disease treated only with IVIG and infliximab. Anakinra clearance increased with illness day at diagnosis. Simulations demonstrated that more frequent intravenous (IV) dosing may result in more sustained concentrations without significantly increasing the peak concentration compared with subcutaneous (SC) dosing.

CONCLUSIONS

Both IV and SC anakinra are safe in infants and children with acute Kawasaki disease and CAA. IV dosing every 8-12 hours during the acute hospitalization of patients with Kawasaki disease may result in a sustained concentration while avoiding frequent SC injections. The efficacy of a short course of IV therapy during hospitalization should be studied. TRIAL REGISTRATION CLINICALTRIALS.GOV: NCT02179853.

Anakinra in Paediatric Rheumatology and Periodic Fever Clinics: Is the Higher Dose Safe?

OBJECTIVE

Anakinra has been increasingly used in off-label indications as well as dosing and mode of administration in a variety of inflammatory conditions. We aimed to review our clinical practice and compare treatment outcomes with published data.

METHODS

Clinical data from electronic records were retrospectively reviewed for patients treated with anakinra over the past 6 years for autoinflammatory diseases (AID).

RESULTS

From 47 eligible patients (27 female patients), 32 were children. Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) was the indication for anakinra therapy in 42.6% of patients. Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) was the most common underlying diagnosis (19/47) followed by the spectrum of AID. Off-label use was noted in 38.3% patients. Recommended dose was exceeded in 21 children (mean induction dose 5.1, highest dose 29.4 mg/kg/day) and two adults; five patients were treated intravenously. The mean treatment duration for SJIA was 1.4 years, that for AID was 2.2 years, and that for patients with higher anakinra dose was 9.7 (19.3) months. The mean follow-up duration was 2.7 (1.7) years. Treatment was effective in the majority of SJIA and cryopyrinopathy patients as well as those with MAS. Anakinra was well-tolerated without any major adverse effects even in patients with long-term administration of higher than recommended doses including two infants treated with a dose of over 20 mg/kg/day.

CONCLUSION

Our results support early use of anakinra in the individually tailored dosing. In patients with hyperinflammation, anakinra may be lifesaving and may even allow for corticosteroid avoidance. Further studies are needed in order to set up generally accepted response parameters and define condition-specific optimal dosing regimen.

Early anti IL-1 treatment replaces steroids in refractory Kawasaki disease: clinical experience from two case reports

Refractory Kawasaki disease (KD) is related to a major risk of coronary arteries abnormalities and its treatment is not standardized. In this regard, anakinra (ANA), an interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist, represents an emerging therapeutic option. We report two cases of children, diagnosed with KD, nonresponsive to two doses of intravenous immunoglobulins, successfully treated with ANA, without a prior use of steroids. Patient 2 developed a coronary dilatation, that improved significantly after ANA therapy. Our experience highlights IL-1 blockade effectiveness in reducing KD inflammation and suggests ANA adoption as second-line therapy, with a timesaving and steroid-sparing strategy. Our results, combined with the evidence of the IL-1 key role in KD and coronary arteritis pathogenesis and to the recent clinical evidence reported by the KAWAKINRA trial, encourage an earlier recourse to ANA in patients with refractory KD, in order to fight inflammation, and to treat and prevent the development of coronary artery aneurysms. Further studies are needed to better define the place of IL-1 blockade in KD step-up treatment.

Interleukin 1α: a comprehensive review on the role of IL-1α in the pathogenesis and treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases

The interleukin (IL)-1 family member IL-1α is a ubiquitous and pivotal pro-inflammatory cytokine. The IL-1α precursor is constitutively present in nearly all cell types in health, but is released upon necrotic cell death as a bioactive mediator. IL-1α is also expressed by infiltrating myeloid cells within injured tissues. The cytokine binds the IL-1 receptor 1 (IL-1R1), as does IL-1β, and induces the same pro-inflammatory effects. Being a bioactive precursor released upon tissue damage and necrotic cell death, IL-1α is central to the pathogenesis of numerous conditions characterized by organ or tissue inflammation. These include conditions affecting the lung and respiratory tract, dermatoses and inflammatory skin disorders, systemic sclerosis, myocarditis, pericarditis, myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, inflammatory thrombosis, as well as complex multifactorial conditions such as COVID-19, vasculitis and Kawasaki disease, Behcet's syndrome, Sjogren Syndrome, and cancer. This review illustrates the clinical relevance of IL-1α to the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases, as well as the rationale for the targeted inhibition of this cytokine for treatment of these conditions. Three biologics are available to reduce the activities of IL-1α; the monoclonal antibody bermekimab, the IL-1 soluble receptor rilonacept, and the IL-1 receptor antagonist anakinra. These advances in mechanistic understanding and therapeutic management make it incumbent on physicians to be aware of IL-1α and of the opportunity for therapeutic inhibition of this cytokine in a broad spectrum of diseases.

Case Report: Kawasaki Shock Syndrome With Polycyclic Eruption: A Peculiar Brain Imaging

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a childhood vasculitis of unknown etiology. The present study describes a case of KD shock syndrome that occurred in an infant (age, 16 months) following 7 days of high fever and persistent rash characterized by target-like and purpuric skin lesions. The child developed neurological manifestations such as altered consciousness and irritability. Consequently, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed, revealing an inflammatory involvement of the anterior perforated substance and the hypothalamus. Cerebral involvement on brain MRI is rarely described in KD but when reported is characterized mostly by cerebral vasculitis. We illustrate for the first time in KD an inflammation in the brain not related to vasculitis, reporting peculiar neuroradiological findings. This last aspect has fascinated us in light of recent evidence about the immunological spectrum of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) and Kawasaki-like syndrome in the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak.

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome Associated With COVID-19 With Neurologic Manifestations in a Child: A Brief Report

Although first considered a benign infection, recent studies have disclosed severe and potentially lethal inflammatory manifestations of COVID-19 in children. We report the case of a 4-year-old child with a post-infectious multisystem inflammatory syndrome associated with COVID-19, with a Kawasaki-like shock and prominent neurologic features, for whom a cytokine storm and reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor were well documented.

Anakinra for Treatment-Resistant Kawasaki Disease: Evidence from a Literature Review

Kawasaki disease (KD) is one of the most common vasculitides of childhood and the main cause of acquired heart disease in developed countries. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in association with aspirin represents the main treatment for KD. However, 10-20% of patients fail to respond to standard treatment and have an increased risk of cardiac complications. There is currently no accepted protocol for treatment of resistant cases. Several authors highlighted the role of interleukin-1 (IL-1) as a mediator of inflammation in KD and suggested the possibility of using IL-1 or its receptor as a target of therapy. The use of IL-1 inhibitors in patients with KD has been reported in the scientific literature, but data are largely limited to individual case reports and small case series. We summarized the scientific literature related to the use of anakinra, analyzing preclinical and clinical data. Thirty-eight patients have been described so far, most of them with KD-related complications. Twenty-two were described in case reports and case series, while 16 were patients from the completed KAWAKINRA phase IIa study. Almost all patients received clinical benefit, and no relevant side effects were noted. Based on this evidence, in our opinion, anakinra may be considered as an option after the failure of the first IVIG infusion, especially in patients with coronary involvement.