F De Benedetti

Updated consensus statement on biological agents for the treatment of rheumatic diseases, 2009

As in previous years, the consensus group to consider the use of biological agents in the treatment of rheumatic diseases met during the 13th Annual Workshop on Advances in Targeted Therapies in April, 2011. The group consisted of rheumatologists from a number of universities among the continents of Europe, North America, South America, Australia and Asia. Pharmaceutical industry support was obtained from a number of companies for the annual workshop itself, but these companies had no part in the decisions about the specific programme or about the academic participants at this conference. Representatives of the supporting sponsors participated in the initial working groups to supply factual information. The sponsors did not participate in the drafting of the consensus statement. This consensus was prepared from the perspective of the treating physician. In view of the new data for abatacept, B cell-specific agents, interleukin 1 (IL-1) antagonists, tocilizumab (TCZ) and tumour necrosis factor α blocking agents (TNF inhibitors), an update of the previous consensus statement is appropriate. To allow ease of updating, the 2010 (data from March 2009 to January 2010) updates are incorporated into the body of the article, while 2011 updates (February 2010–January 2011) are separated and highlighted. The consensus statement is annotated to document the credibility of the data supporting it as much as possible. This annotation is that of Shekelle et al and is described in appendix 1.1 We have modified the Shekelle annotation by designating all abstracts as ‘category D evidence’, whether they describe well-controlled trials or not, as details of the study were often not available in the abstracts. Further, the number of possible references has become so large that reviews are sometimes included; if they contain category A references, they will be referred to as category A evidence. The rheumatologists and bioscientists who attended …

Increased muscle expression of interleukin-17 in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Objectives: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a degenerative muscle wasting disease caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene. Dystrophic muscle is characterized by chronic inflammation, and inflammatory mediators could be promising targets for innovative therapeutic interventions. We analyzed muscle biopsy samples of DMD-affected children to characterize interleukin (IL)-17 and Forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) expression levels and to identify possible correlations with clinical status. Methods: Expression levels of IL-17, Foxp3, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), IL-6, and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) were analyzed by real-time PCR in muscle biopsy samples from patients with DMD (n = 27) and juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) (n = 8). Motor outcome of patients with DMD was evaluated by North Star Ambulatory Assessment score. Results: In DMD, we found higher levels of IL-17 and lower levels of Foxp3 mRNA compared with those for a typical inflammatory myopathy, JDM. Moreover, the IL-17/Foxp3 ratio was higher in DMD than in JDM biopsy samples. IL-17 mRNA levels appeared to be related to the expression levels of other proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and MCP-1) and significantly associated with clinical outcome of patients. Conclusions: The association of IL-17 expression with levels of other inflammatory cytokines and with the clinical course of DMD suggests a possible pathogenic role of IL-17.

FRI0488 A Phase Iii Pivotal Umbrella Trial of Canakinumab in Patients with Autoinflammatory Periodic Fever Syndromes (Colchicine Resistant FMF, HIDS/MKD and TRAPS)

Background Periodic fever syndromes (PFS) are a group of rare auto-inflammatory conditions, which includes, among others, cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS), familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), hyper-IgD syndrome/mevalonate kinase deficiency (HIDS/MKD), TNF-receptor associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS). Canakinumab (CAN), a fully human, highly specific anti-IL-1β neutralising monoclonal antibody, is effective in CAPS.1 IL-1β has been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of FMF, HIDS/MKD and TRAPS, for whom no approved treatment exists. A series of small open label studies suggested efficacy of CAN in colchicine resistant/intolerant FMF (crFMF), HIDS/MKD and TRAPS.2,3 We report the efficacy and safety of CAN from the randomised treatment epoch of a phase III trial in patients (pts) with crFMF, HIDS/MKD or TRAPS. Objectives Primary objective of this phase III pivotal trial was to demonstrate that CAN 150 mg (or 2 mg/kg for pts ≤40 kg) sc q4w is superior to placebo (PBO) in achieving a clinically meaningful response defined as resolution of the index flare at Day 15 and no new disease flares over 16 wks of treatment. Secondary objectives were: % pts who achieved a physician global assessment of disease activity (PGA) <2 (minimal/none); % pts with C-reactive protein (CRP) ≤10 mg/L; serum amyloid A level (SAA) ≤10 mg/L at Wk 16. Methods The trial (NCT02059291) consists of 3 disease cohorts (crFMF, HIDS/MKD and TRAPS) and 4 study epochs (E1–4): a screening epoch (E1) of up to 12 wks, a randomised treatment epoch (E2) of 16 wks, a randomised withdrawal epoch (E3) of 24 wks and an open-label treatment epoch (E4) of 72 wks. Pts (age ≥2 years) with crFMF, HIDS/MKD or TRAPS with a flare during E1 were randomised (1:1) in E2 to receive CAN or PBO. Safety assessments included adverse events (AEs). Results Of 181 pts (crFMF, n=63; HIDS/MKD, n=72; TRAPS, n=46) randomised in E2, 6 pts discontinued (5 PBO; 1 CAN). In all 3 disease cohorts, the proportion of pts who were responders for the primary outcome at Wk 16 was significantly higher with CAN vs PBO (Table). At Wk 16, a significantly higher proportion of pts achieved PGA score <2, CRP ≤10 mg/L and SAA ≤10 mg/L in the CAN group vs PBO in all 3 cohorts (Table). No new safety findings were reported in the CAN-treated pts through E2 (Table). Conclusions These results demonstrated superior efficacy of canakinumab at dose level of 150 mg q4w after a 16 weeks treatment period compared to placebo. The overall safety profile was not distinct from previous controlled studies and expectations in an auto-inflammatory patient population. Disclosure of Interest F. De Benedetti Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Abbvie, Roche, Novartis, Novimmune, BMS, J. Anton Grant/research support from: Novartis, Pfizer, Abbvie, Roche, SOBI, Consultant for: Novartis, M. Gattorno Grant/research support from: Novartis, SOBI, Consultant for: Novartis, SOBI, Speakers bureau: Novartis, SOBI, H. Lachmann Consultant for: Novartis, SOBI, Takeda, GSK, Speakers bureau: Novartis, SOBI, I. Kone-Paut Grant/research support from: SOBI, Roche, Novartis, Consultant for: Novartis, SOBI, Pfizer, Abbvie, Chugai, S. Ozen Consultant for: Novartis, Speakers bureau: SOBI, J. Frenkel Grant/research support from: Novartis, SOBI, A. Simon Grant/research support from: CSL Behring, Novartis, Xoma/Servier, A. Zeft: None declared, E. Ben-Chetrit Consultant for: Novartis, H. Hoffman Grant/research support from: BMS, Consultant for: Novartis, SOBI, Regeneron, Speakers bureau: Novartis, Y. Joubert Employee of: Novartis, K. Lheritier Shareholder of: Novartis, Employee of: Novartis, A. Speziale Employee of: Novartis, G. Junge Employee of: Novartis

Decreased fibrinolytic activity in juvenile chronic arthritis.

The basal fibrinolytic activity in 17 children with active juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA) was investigated. It was found that patients with JCA, and particularly those with the systemic form, show decreased plasma fibrinolytic activity and a marked increase in plasminogen activator inhibitor. Additionally, it was found that patients with systemic JCA, but not those with the polyarticular or pauciarticular form, have increased circulating levels of tissue-type plasminogen activator, and endothelial cell protein, suggesting possible endothelial cell participation in systemic JCA.

An experimental therapy to improve skeletal growth and prevent bone loss in a mouse model overexpressing IL-6.

SummaryPremature osteoporosis and stunted growth are common complications of childhood chronic inflammatory disease. Presently, no treatment regimens are available for these defects in juvenile diseases. We identified the sequential Fc-OPG/hPTH treatment as an experimental therapy that improves the skeletal growth and prevents the bone loss in a mouse model overexpressing IL-6.IntroductionPremature osteoporosis and stunted growth are common complications of childhood chronic inflammatory diseases and have a significant impact on patients’ quality of life. Presently, no treatment regimens are available for these defects in juvenile diseases. To test a new therapeutic approach, we used growing mice overexpressing the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 (TG), which show a generalized bone loss and stunted growth.MethodsSince TG mice present increased bone resorption and impaired bone formation, we tested a combined therapy with the antiresorptive modified osteoprotegerin, Fc-OPG, and the anabolic PTH. We injected TG mice with Fc-OPG once at the 4th day of life and with hPTH(1–34) everyday from the 16th to the 30th day of age.ResultsA complete prevention of growth and bone defects was observed in treated mice due to normalization of osteoclast and osteoblast parameters. Re-establishment of normal bone turnover was confirmed by RT-PCR analysis and by in vitro experiments that revealed the full rescue of osteoclast and osteoblast functions. The phenotypic recovery of TG mice was due to the sequential treatment, because TG mice treated with Fc-OPG or hPTH alone showed an increase of body weight, tibia length, and bone volume to intermediate levels between those observed in vehicle-treated WT and TG mice.ConclusionsOur results identified the sequential Fc-OPG/hPTH treatment as an experimental therapy that improves the skeletal growth and prevents the bone loss in IL-6 overexpressing mice, thus providing the proof of principle for a therapeutic approach to correct these defects in juvenile inflammatory diseases.

Canakinumab for the Treatment of Autoinflammatory Recurrent Fever Syndromes

Background Familial Mediterranean fever, mevalonate kinase deficiency (also known as the hyperimmunoglobulinemia D syndrome), and the tumor necrosis factor receptor–associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) are monogenic autoinflammatory diseases characterized by recurrent fever flares. Methods We randomly assigned patients with genetically confirmed colchicine‐resistant familial Mediterranean fever, mevalonate kinase deficiency, or TRAPS at the time of a flare to receive 150 mg of canakinumab subcutaneously or placebo every 4 weeks. Patients who did not have a resolution of their flare received an add‐on injection of 150 mg of canakinumab. The primary outcome was complete response (resolution of flare and no flare until week 16). In the subsequent phase up to week 40, patients who had a complete response underwent a second randomization to receive canakinumab or placebo every 8 weeks. Patients who underwent a second randomization and had a subsequent flare and all other patients received open‐label canakinumab. Results At week 16, significantly more patients receiving canakinumab had a complete response than those receiving placebo: 61% vs. 6% of patients with colchicine‐resistant familial Mediterranean fever (P<0.001), 35% versus 6% of those with mevalonate kinase deficiency (P=0.003), and 45% versus 8% of those with TRAPS (P=0.006). The inclusion of patients whose dose was increased to 300 mg every 4 weeks yielded a complete response in 71% of those with colchicine‐resistant familial Mediterranean fever, 57% of those with mevalonate kinase deficiency, and 73% of those with TRAPS. After week 16, an extended dosing regimen (every 8 weeks) maintained disease control in 46% of patients with colchicine‐resistant familial Mediterranean fever, 23% of those with mevalonate kinase deficiency, and 53% of those with TRAPS. Among patients who received canakinumab, the most frequently reported adverse events were infections (173.3, 313.5, and 148.0 per 100 patient‐years among patients with colchicine‐resistant familial Mediterranean fever, those with mevalonate kinase deficiency, and those with TRAPS, respectively), with a few being serious infections (6.6, 13.7, and 0.0 per 100 patient‐years). Conclusions In this trial, canakinumab was effective in controlling and preventing flares in patients with colchicine‐resistant familial Mediterranean fever, mevalonate kinase deficiency, and TRAPS. (Funded by Novartis; CLUSTER ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02059291.)

Anti interferon-gamma (IFNγ) monoclonal antibody treatment in a patient carrying an NLRC4 mutation and severe hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis

Background A growing body of evidence, in animals and humans, suggest that IFNg plays a pathogenic role in primary HLH (pHLH) and in secondary HLH, including macrophage activation syndrome. A pilot study in pHLH with NI-0501, an anti-IFNg monoclonal antibody, is ongoing. Mutations in NLRC4 have been recently reported to cause recurrent MAS and an increased production of IL-18, a cytokine known to induce IFNg.

Whole-Body MRI versus bone scintigraphy: which is the best diagnostic tool in patients with chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO)?

Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) is an autoinflammatory bone disorder of unknown etiology with a wide range of clinical manifestations. Since CRMO is a systemic disorder that can affect multiple skeletal sites, whole-body imaging techniques (whole body bone scintigraphy -WBBS- or whole body magnetic risonance -WBMRI-) provide major contribution to the initial diagnostic approach, as well as during follow-up.

The phenotypic variability of PAPA syndrome: evidence from the Eurofever Registry

8th International Congress of Familial Mediterranean Fever and Systemic Autoinflammatory Diseases

A controlled trial of intra-articular corticosteroids with or without methotrexate in oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis

In contrast with the numerous controlled trials conducted in polyarticular or systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), little evidence-based information is available for oligoarticular JIA. As a result, the management of children with this subtype, which is the most prevalent in Western countries, is largely empiric. Intra-articular corticosteroid (IAC) injection is the therapy of first choice for oligoarthritis in many pediatric rheumatology centers. However, although IAC injections are usually highly efficacious, relapses of synovitis are common and sometimes occur only a few months after the procedure. It is still unclear whether concomitant administration of methotrexate (MTX) may increase and prolong the effectiveness of IAC injections.