Delphi consensus recommendations for a treatment algorithm in pulmonary sarcoidosis

Rationale and design of the SARCoidosis Outcomes in all respiratory Viral Infectious Diseases (SARCOVID) Study

INTRODUCTION

Respiratory infections are ubiquitous. The COVID-19 pandemic has refocused our attention on how morbid and potentially fatal they can be, and how host factors have an impact on the clinical course and outcomes. Due to a range of vulnerabilities, patients with sarcoidosis may be at higher risk of poor outcomes from respiratory infections. The objective of the SARCoidosis Outcomes in all respiratory Viral Infectious Diseases (SARCOVID) Study is to determine the short-term and long-term impacts of respiratory viral illnesses (COVID-19 and non-COVID-19) in sarcoidosis.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Up to 20 clinical sites across the USA are participating in the recruitment of 2000 patients for this observational, prospective study. To ensure that the study cohort is representative of the general population with sarcoidosis, participating sites include those dedicated to reaching under-represented minorities or patients from non-urban areas. Baseline data on demographic features, comorbidities, sarcoidosis characteristics and pre-enrolment lung function will be captured at study entry. During this 3-year study, all acute respiratory infectious events (from SARS-CoV-2 and any other respiratory pathogen) will be assessed and recorded at quarterly intervals. The level of required medical care and survival outcomes determine infection severity, and the impact of infection on quality of life measures will be recorded. Post-infection lung function and imaging results will measure the long-term impact on the trajectory of sarcoidosis. Patients will be analysed according to the clinical phenotypes of cardiac and fibrotic pulmonary sarcoidosis. Control groups include non-infected patients with sarcoidosis and patients with non-sarcoidosis interstitial lung disease.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Each site received local institutional review board approval prior to enrolling patients, with the consent process determined by local institution standards. Data will be published in a timely manner (goal <12 months) at the conclusion of the 3-year follow-up period and will be made available upon request.

Inhibition of type 1 immunity with tofacitinib is associated with marked improvement in longstanding sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is an idiopathic inflammatory disorder that is commonly treated with glucocorticoids. An imprecise understanding of the immunologic changes underlying sarcoidosis has limited therapeutic progress. Here in this open-label trial (NCT03910543), 10 patients with cutaneous sarcoidosis are treated with tofacitinib, a Janus kinase inhibitor. The primary outcome is the change in the cutaneous sarcoidosis activity and morphology instrument (CSAMI) activity score after 6 months of treatment. Secondary outcomes included change in internal organ involvement, molecular parameters, and safety. All patients experience improvement in their skin with 6 patients showing a complete response. Improvement in internal organ involvement is also observed. CD4⁺ T cell-derived IFN-γ is identified as a central cytokine mediator of macrophage activation in sarcoidosis. Additional type 1 cytokines produced by distinct cell types, including IL-6, IL-12, IL-15 and GM-CSF, also associate with pathogenesis. Suppression of the activity of these cytokines, especially IFN-γ, correlates with clinical improvement. Our results thus show that tofacitinib treatment is associated with improved sarcoidosis symptoms, and predominantly acts by inhibiting type 1 immunity.

Clinical, imaging and functional determinants of sarcoidosis phenotypes in a Greek population

Background

The aim of the present study was the application of the latest phenotype recommendations in Greek patients, in order to identify specific clinical, imaging and spirometric characteristics, at initial diagnosis of sarcoidosis, related to disease phenotypes.

Methods

Our cohort included 147 patients coming from Northern Greece, recruited from the Outpatient Sarcoidosis Clinic, of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The observation period was 5 years. The Scadding staging system and the World Association of Sarcoidosis and other Granulomatous Disorders (WASOG) Clinical Outcome Status instrument were used. Phenotypes were defined by the latest DELPHI consensus recommendations.

Results

The following clinical phenotypes were identified: asymptomatic 59%, acute 14.3%, chronic 12.9% and advanced 33.3%. The observed phenotypes were not related to Scadding stages. Lung function decline was in line with phenotype severity. The presence of fibrosis to any extent upon diagnosis differed among phenotypes (asymptomatic 13.8%, acute 38.1%, chronic 57.9%, advanced 61.2%, P<0.001) and was common for relapsing patients (P<0.001). In spontaneously remitting patients, fibrosis upon diagnosis was found less often than in non-remitting patients (P<0.001). Renal involvement was more frequently found in the advanced phenotype (P=0.032). Skin involvement was more common for patients with acute onset (P<0.001) and spontaneous remission (P=0.012). Ocular involvement was mainly found in relapsing patients (P<0.001).

Conclusions

In our cohort, sarcoidosis clinical phenotypes have certain clinical, imaging and functional characteristics, at initial diagnosis of the disease, which could be assessed in everyday practice.

Establishment of a no-notice drill mode evaluation system for public health emergencies

OBJECTIVE

At present, there are some no-notice drill mode evaluation systems for public health emergencies in Chinese hospitals, which are the subjects of assessment in this study. However, there is a lack of CDC. This study builds a set of no-notice drill mode evaluation systems for public health emergencies that involve the CDC.

METHODS

The indexes for these systems were based on the performance of two no-notice drills for public health emergencies in Guangdong Province. Twenty experts were invited to screen the indicators during two rounds of the Delphi method to determine the weight of first- and second-level indexes through the analytic hierarchy process, and the weight of the third-level index was calculated using the percentage method.

RESULTS

After two rounds of expert consultation, we obtained four first-level indicators, twenty-six second-level indicators and eighty-six third-level indicators. According to the weight calculated by analytic hierarchy process, the weights of the first-level indicators are emergency preparation (0.2775), verification and consultation regarding an epidemic situation (0.165), field investigation and control (0.3925) and summary report (0.165). Sensitivity analysis shows that the stability of the index is good.

CONCLUSION

The no-notice drill mode evaluation system for public health emergencies constructed in this study can be applied to public health departments such as the CDC. Through promotion, it can provide a scientific basis for epidemiological investigation assessment.

Repository Corticotropin Injection for the Treatment of Pulmonary Sarcoidosis: A Narrative Review

Although corticosteroids are the standard first-line therapy for pulmonary sarcoidosis, long-term and high-dose use of these drugs are associated with increased risk of adverse events and high healthcare utilization costs. Treatment guidelines for pulmonary sarcoidosis indicate that off-label immunomodulators and biologics may be warranted for severe disease. Repository corticotropin injection (RCI, Acthar^® Gel), a complex mixture of adrenocorticotropic hormone analogs and other pituitary peptides, is one of only two therapies approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for symptomatic pulmonary sarcoidosis and is recommended by current European Respiratory Society treatment guidelines for use on a case-by-case basis. With its unique anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory mechanism of action through activation of melanocortin receptors in various cell types, RCI has demonstrated steroid-sparing properties. RCI has a long history of use in autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, with proven safety and efficacy for pulmonary sarcoidosis. In this narrative review, we present the clinical evidence for the safety and efficacy of RCI in the treatment of pulmonary sarcoidosis, identify where RCI falls within the current treatment guidelines, and describe the unique mechanism of action of RCI for promoting anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects.

Sarcoidosis-related mortality and the impact of corticosteroid treatment: A population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The aims of this national cohort study were: (1) to evaluate mortality in patients with sarcoidosis, stratified by gender, age and systemic corticosteroid (SC) treatment and (2) to characterize comorbidities in this cohort.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with sarcoidosis from 2001 to 2015 were identified in the Danish National Patient Registry. Subgroup analyses were performed on cases treated/not treated with SCs within 3 years of the initial sarcoidosis diagnosis (as a proxy for disease severity). The Deyo-Charlson Comorbidity Index was used to evaluate pre-diagnostic comorbidity. Cases were matched (1:4) with controls from the general population.

RESULTS

We identified 9795 cases with sarcoidosis. Mean age was 46.5 ± 15.9 years and 55% were male. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for death was 1.48 (95% CI 1.31-1.68). Mortality was higher than for controls in all age groups and in both genders. HR for death for cases treated with SCs was 1.78 (95% CI 1.49-2.13) and, for cases receiving no treatment, 1.24 (95% CI 1.04-1.48). Sarcoidosis was the most commonly registered cause of death (13.3%).

CONCLUSION

Patients with sarcoidosis have an increased mortality compared with matched controls. Mortality is particularly high in patients treated with SCs.

Potential therapeutic targets to prevent organ damage in chronic pulmonary sarcoidosis

INTRODUCTION

Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous inflammatory disease with high chances of reduced quality of life, irreversible organ damage, and reduced life expectancy when vital organs are involved. Any organ system can be affected, and the lungs are most often affected. There is no preventive strategy as the exact etiology is unknown, and complex immunogenetic and environmental factors determine disease susceptibility and phenotype. Present-day treatment options originated from clinical practice and are effective in many patients. However, a substantial percentage of patients suffer from unacceptable side effects or still develop refractory, threatening pulmonary or extrapulmonary disease.

AREAS COVERED

As non-caseating granulomas, the pathological hallmark of disease, are assigned to divergent activation and regulation of the immune system, targets in relation to the possible triggers of granuloma formation and their sequelae were searched and reviewed.

EXPERT OPINION

:The immunopathogenesis underlying sarcoidosis has been a dynamic field of study. Several recent new insights give way to promising new therapeutic targets, such as certain antigenic triggers (e.g. from Aspergillus nidulans), mTOR, JAK-STAT and PPARγ pathways, the NRP2 receptor and MMP-12, which await further exploration. Clinical and trigger related phenotyping, and molecular endotyping in sarcoidosis will likely hold the key for precision medicine in the future.

The Role of Diverse Immune Cells in Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a systemic inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology characterized by tissue infiltration with macrophages and lymphocytes and associated non-caseating granuloma formation. The disease primarily affects the lungs. Patients suffering from sarcoidosis show a wide range of clinical symptoms, natural history and disease outcomes. Originally described as a Th1-driven disease, sarcoidosis involves a complex interplay among diverse immune cells. This review highlights recent advances in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis, with emphasis on the role of different immune cells. Accumulative evidence suggests Th17 cells, IFN-γ-producing Th17 cells or Th17.1 cells, and regulatory T (Treg) cells play a critical role. However, their specific actions, whether protective or pathogenic, remain to be clarified. Macrophages are also involved in granuloma formation, and M2 polarization may be predictive of fibrosis. Previously neglected cells including B cells, dendritic cells (DCs), natural killer (NK) cells and natural killer T (NKT) cells were studied more recently for their contribution to sarcoid granuloma formation. Despite these advances, the pathogenesis remains incompletely understood, indicating an urgent need for further research to reveal the distinct immunological events in this process, with hope to open up new therapeutic avenues and if possible, to develop preventive measures.

A Comprehensive Review of Sarcoidosis Diagnosis and Monitoring for the Pulmonologist

Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease with heterogenous clinical manifestations. Here we review the diagnosis of sarcoidosis and propose a clinically feasible diagnostic work-up and monitoring protocol. As sarcoidosis is a systemic disease, a multidisciplinary approach is recommended for best outcomes. However, since the lungs are frequently involved, the pulmonologist is often the referral physician for diagnosis and management. When sarcoidosis is suspected, diagnosis needs to be confirmed and organ involvement/impairment assessed. This process is also required to establish whether the patient is likely to benefit from treatment, as many cases of sarcoidosis are self-limited and remit spontaneously. Whether or not treatment is started, effective regular follow-up is necessary to monitor changes in the disease, including extension, progression, remissions, flare-ups, and complications.

Management of Advanced Pulmonary Sarcoidosis

The term "advanced sarcoidosis" is used for forms of sarcoidosis with a significant risk of loss of organ function or death. Advanced sarcoidosis often involves the lung and is described as "Advanced Pulmonary Sarcoidosis" (APS) which includes advanced pulmonary fibrosis, associated complications such as bronchiectasis and infections, and pulmonary hypertension. While APS affects a small proportion of patients with sarcoidosis, it is the leading cause of poor outcomes including death. Herein we review the major patterns of APS with a focus on the current management as well as potential approaches for improved outcomes for this most serious sarcoidosis phenotype.

Rituximab plus methotrexate combination as a salvage therapy in persistently active granulomatosis with polyangiitis

OBJECTIVE

To describe the efficacy and safety of rituximab and methotrexate (RTX/MTX) combination therapy in ANCA-associated vasculitides (AAV).

METHODS

A retrospective French nationwide study was conducted in patients with AAV who received RTX/MTX combination therapy for persistently active disease.

RESULTS

Seventeen patients were included. All patients had granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), with positive ANCA in 76% mainly with PR3-ANCA specificity. Sixteen (94%) were still active after rituximab and 11 (65%) after cyclophosphamide (oral and/or intravenous). Patients had experienced a median of 3 (2-4) flares. Manifestations requiring RTX/MTX combination therapy were subglottic or bronchial stenosis in 6 patients (35%), orbital mass in 6 (35%), disabling ENT involvement in 2 (12%), and epiduritis and pachymeningitis in 1 case each (6%). Median follow-up with combination was 11 months (11-26 months). At 6 months, global response was achieved in 15 patients (88%), including partial response in 11 (65%) and complete response in 4 (24%). At last evaluation, global response was achieved in 16 patients (94%). Seven patients (41%) experienced severe adverse events (grade 3 or 4), including infections in 4 (24%) and hepatitis in 2 (12%). Combination therapy was withdrawn in 4 patients (24%) but never for safety concerns. In contrast, MTX dose was decreased in 2 patients (12%) because of adverse events. One patient died of an unknown cause.

CONCLUSION

RTX/MTX combination therapy could be an effective salvage therapy to treat persistently active GPA with granulomatous manifestations, with an acceptable safety profile.

The impact of demographic disparities in the presentation of sarcoidosis: A multicenter prospective study

OBJECTIVE

To study how demographic differences impact disease manifestation of sarcoidosis using the WASOG tool in a large multicentric study.

METHODS

Clinical data regarding 1445 patients with sarcoidosis from 14 clinical sites in 10 countries were prospectively reviewed from Feb 1, 2020 to Sep 30, 2020. Organ involvement was evaluated for the whole group and for subgroups differentiated by sex, race, and age.

RESULTS

The median age of the patients at diagnosis was 46 years old; 60.8% of the patients were female. The most commonly involved organ was lung (96%), followed by skin (24%) and eye (22%). Black patients had more multiple organ involvement than White patients (OR = 3.227, 95% CI: 2.243-4.643) and females had more multiple organ involvement than males (OR = 1.238, 95% CI: 1.083-1.415). Black patients had more frequent involvement of neurologic, skin, eye, extra thoracic lymph node, liver and spleen than White and Asian patients. Women were more likely to have eye (OR = 1.522, 95%CI: 1.259-1.838) or skin involvement (OR = 1.369, 95%CI: 1.152-1.628). Men were more likely to have cardiac involvement (OR = 1.326, 95%CI: 1.096-1.605). A total of 262 (18.1%) patients did not receive systemic treatment for sarcoidosis. Therapy was more common in Black patients than in other races.

CONCLUSION

The initial presentation and treatment of sarcoidosis was related to sex, race, and age. Black and female individuals are found to have multiple organ involvement more frequently. Age at diagnosis<45, Black patients and multiple organ involvement were independent predictors of treatment.

Patient reported side-effects of prednisone and methotrexate in a real-world sarcoidosis population

Currently prednisone is the first-line pharmacological treatment option for pulmonary sarcoidosis. Methotrexate is used as second-line therapy and seems to have fewer side-effects. No prospective comparative studies of first-line treatment with methotrexate exist. In this study, we evaluated patient reported presence and bothersomeness of side-effects of prednisone and methotrexate in a sarcoidosis population to guide the design of a larger prospective study. During a yearly patient information meeting 67 patients completed a questionnaire on medication use; 11 patients never used prednisone or methotrexate and were excluded from further analysis. Of the remaining 56 patients, 89% used prednisone and 70% methotrexate (present or former). Significantly more side-effects were reported for prednisone than for methotrexate, 78% versus 49% (p = 0.006). In conclusion, methotrexate seems to have fewer and less bothersome side-effects than prednisone. These findings need to be confirmed in a prospective study.

Atraumatic forearm swelling in a patient with poorly controlled asthma

We present a case of sarcoidosis presenting as unilateral forearm swelling. A 65-year-old male with a long history of asthma presented with unexplained left forearm and hand swelling. Over many years, chest imaging had been devoid of adenopathy or parenchymal findings suspicious for sarcoid, until after the extremity findings emerged. The patient was diagnosed based on subcutaneous, dermal and mediastinal lymph node histopathology. Sarcoid presenting with isolated extremity findings prior to more typical pulmonary manifestations is rare even for cutaneous or soft tissue sarcoid, highlighting the need to maintain a high index of suspicion for sarcoidosis.

A Comprehensive Review of Sarcoidosis Treatment for Pulmonologists

Due to frequent lung involvement, the pulmonologist is often the reference physician for management of sarcoidosis, a systemic granulomatous disease with a heterogeneous course. Treatment of sarcoidosis raises some issues. The first challenge is to select patients who are likely to benefit from treatment, as sarcoidosis may be self-limiting and remit spontaneously, in which case treatment can be postponed and possibly avoided without any significant impact on quality of life, organ damage or prognosis. Systemic glucocorticosteroids (GCs) are the drug of first choice for sarcoidosis. When GCs are started, there is a > 50% chance of long-term treatment. Prolonged use of prednisone at > 10 mg/day or equivalent is often associated with severe side effects. In these and refractory cases, steroid-sparing options are advised. Antimetabolites, such as methotrexate, are the second-choice therapy. Biologics, such as anti-TNF and especially infliximab, are third-choice drugs. The three treatments can be used concomitantly. Regardless of whether treatment is started, the clinician needs to organize regular follow-up to monitor remissions, flares, progression, complications, toxicity and relapses in order to promptly adjust the drugs used.

ERS clinical practice guidelines on treatment of sarcoidosis

BACKGROUND

The major reasons to treat sarcoidosis are to lower the morbidity and mortality risk or to improve quality of life (QoL). The indication for treatment varies depending on which manifestation is the cause of symptoms: lungs, heart, brain, skin, or other manifestations. While glucocorticoids (GC) remain the first choice for initial treatment of symptomatic disease, prolonged use is associated with significant toxicity. GC-sparing alternatives are available. The presented treatment guideline aims to provide guidance to physicians treating the very heterogenous sarcoidosis manifestations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A European Respiratory Society Task Force (TF) committee composed of clinicians, methodologists, and patients with experience in sarcoidosis developed recommendations based on the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations) methodology. The committee developed eight PICO (Patients, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes) questions and these were used to make specific evidence-based recommendations.

RESULTS

The TF committee delivered twelve recommendations for seven PICOs. These included treatment of pulmonary, cutaneous, cardiac, and neurologic disease as well as fatigue. One PICO question regarding small fiber neuropathy had insufficient evidence to support a recommendation. In addition to the recommendations, the committee provided information on how they use alternative treatments, when there was insufficient evidence to support a recommendation.

CONCLUSIONS

There are many treatments available to treat sarcoidosis. Given the diverse nature of the disease, treatment decisions require an assessment of organ involvement, risk for significant morbidity, and impact on QoL of the disease and treatment.

MESSAGE

An evidence based guideline for treatment of sarcoidosis is presented. The panel used the GRADE approach and specific recommendations are made. A major factor in treating patients is the risk of loss of organ function or impairment of quality of life.

Delphi consensus recommendations on how to provide cardiovascular rehabilitation in the COVID-19 era

This Delphi consensus by 28 experts from the European Association of Preventive Cardiology (EAPC) provides initial recommendations on how cardiovascular rehabilitation (CR) facilities should modulate their activities in view of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. A total number of 150 statements were selected and graded by Likert scale [from -5 (strongly disagree) to +5 (strongly agree)], starting from six open-ended questions on (i) referral criteria, (ii) optimal timing and setting, (iii) core components, (iv) structure-based metrics, (v) process-based metrics, and (vi) quality indicators. Consensus was reached on 58 (39%) statements, 48 'for' and 10 'against' respectively, mainly in the field of referral, core components, and structure of CR activities, in a comprehensive way suitable for managing cardiac COVID-19 patients. Panelists oriented consensus towards maintaining usual activities on traditional patient groups referred to CR, without significant downgrading of intervention in case of COVID-19 as a comorbidity. Moreover, it has been suggested to consider COVID-19 patients as a referral group to CR per se when the viral disease is complicated by acute cardiovascular (CV) events; in these patients, the potential development of COVID-related CV sequelae, as well as of pulmonary arterial hypertension, needs to be focused. This framework might be used to orient organization and operational of CR programmes during the COVID-19 crisis.

A Pilot Randomized Trial of Transdermal Nicotine for Pulmonary Sarcoidosis

BACKGROUND

Tobacco smoking is associated with a reduced risk of developing sarcoidosis, and we previously reported that nicotine normalizes immune responses to environmental antigens in patients with active pulmonary sarcoidosis. The effects of nicotine on the progression of pulmonary sarcoidosis are unknown.

RESEARCH QUESTION

Is nicotine treatment well tolerated, and will it improve lung function in patients with active pulmonary sarcoidosis?

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

With local institutional review board approval, a randomized, double-blind, controlled pilot trial was conducted of daily nicotine transdermal patch treatment (21 mg daily) or placebo patch use for 24 weeks. The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Cleveland Clinic enrolled 50 consecutive adult subjects aged ≥ 18 years with active pulmonary sarcoidosis, based on symptoms (ie, dyspnea, cough) and objective radiographic evidence of infiltrates consistent with nonfibrotic lung disease. Each study group was compared at 26 weeks based on repeated measures of FVC, FEV₁, quantitative lung texture score based on CT texture analysis, Fatigue Assessment Score (FAS), St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), and the Sarcoidosis Assessment Tool.

RESULTS

Nicotine treatment was associated with a clinically significant, approximately 2.1% (70 mL) improvement in FVC from baseline to 26 weeks. FVC decreased by a similar amount (2.2%) in the placebo group, with a net increase of 140 mL (95% CI, 10-260) when comparing nicotine vs placebo groups at 26 weeks. FEV₁ and FAS improved marginally in the nicotine-treated group, compared with those on placebo. No improvement was observed in lung texture score, FAS, St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire score, or the Sarcoidosis Assessment Tool. There were no reported serious adverse events or evidence of nicotine addiction.

INTERPRETATION

Nicotine treatment was well tolerated in patients with active pulmonary sarcoidosis, and the preliminary findings of this pilot study suggest that it may reduce disease progression, based on FVC.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT02265874; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Progression in the Management of Non-Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Interstitial Lung Diseases, Where Are We Now and Where We Would Like to Be

A significant proportion of patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) may develop a progressive fibrosing phenotype characterized by worsening of symptoms and pulmonary function, progressive fibrosis on chest computed tomography and increased mortality. The clinical course in these patients mimics the relentless progressiveness of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Common pathophysiological mechanisms such as a shared genetic susceptibility and a common downstream pathway—self-sustaining fibroproliferation—support the concept of a progressive fibrosing phenotype, which is applicable to a broad range of non-IPF ILDs. While antifibrotic drugs became the standard of care in IPF, immunosuppressive agents are still the mainstay of treatment in non-IPF fibrosing ILD (F-ILD). However, recently, randomized placebo-controlled trials have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of antifibrotic treatment in systemic sclerosis-associated F-ILD and a broad range of F-ILDs with a progressive phenotype. This review summarizes the current pharmacological management and highlights the unmet needs in patients with non-IPF ILD.

Biologic and advanced immunomodulating therapeutic options for sarcoidosis: a clinical update

Introduction: Sarcoidosis is a multi-organ disease with a wide range of clinical manifestations and outcomes. A quarter of sarcoidosis patients require long-term treatment for chronic disease. In this group, corticosteroids and cytotoxic agents be insufficient to control diseaseAreas covered: Several biologic agents have been studied for treatment of chronic pulmonary and extra-pulmonary disease. A review of the available literature was performed searching PubMed and an expert opinion regarding specific therapy was developed.Expert opinion: These agents have the potential of treating patients who have progressive disease. Many of these agents have different mechanisms of action, response rates, and toxicity profiles.

Infection risk in sarcoidosis patients treated with methotrexate compared to azathioprine: A retrospective 'target trial' emulated with Swedish real-world data

The 6‐month infection risk was 43% lower in patients with sarcoidosis who initiated methotrexate compared to those who started azathioprine. Our findings suggest that unless contraindications exist, methotrexate should be preferred over azathioprine as the primary steroid‐sparing choice in individuals with sarcoidosis.

Background and objective

No clinical trial has examined the risk of infection associated methotrexate and azathioprine, two advocated treatments for sarcoidosis. We aimed to compare the 6‐month risk of infection after the initiation of methotrexate or azathioprine.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective target trial emulation using Swedish pre‐existing data. We searched for eligible participants who were dispensed methotrexate or azathioprine in the Prescribed Drug Register (PDR) every day between January 2007 and June 2013. Adults were eligible if they had ≥2 ICD‐coded visits for sarcoidosis in the National Patient Register (NPR) and were dispensed ≥1 systemic corticosteroid but no methotrexate or azathioprine in the past 6 months (PDR). Within 6 months of methotrexate or azathioprine initiation, diagnosis of infectious disease was identified (visit in the NPR where infectious disease was the primary diagnosis). We estimated RR and risk differences comparing methotrexate (n = 667) to azathioprine initiations (n = 259) using targeted maximum likelihood estimation (TMLE) adjusting for demographic factors, comorbidity and sarcoidosis severity proxies.

Results

There were 43 infections in the methotrexate group (adjusted 6‐month risk 6.8%) and 29 infections in the azathioprine group (12.0%). The RR for infectious disease at 6 months associated with methotrexate compared to azathioprine initiation was 0.57 (95% CI: 0.39, 0.82) and the risk difference was −5.2% (95% CI: −8.5%, −1.8%). The RR at 9 months was attenuated to 0.77 (95% CI: 0.52, 1.14).

Conclusion

Methotrexate appears to be associated with a lower risk of infection in sarcoidosis than azathioprine, but randomized trials should confirm this finding.

Design of a randomized controlled trial to evaluate effectiveness of methotrexate versus prednisone as first-line treatment for pulmonary sarcoidosis: the PREDMETH study

BACKGROUND

Treatment of pulmonary sarcoidosis is recommended in case of significant symptoms, impaired or deteriorating lung function. Evidence-based treatment recommendations are limited and largely based on expert opinion. Prednisone is currently the first-choice therapy and leads to short-term improvement of lung function. Unfortunately, prednisone often has side-effects and may be associated with impaired quality of life. Methotrexate is presently considered second-line therapy, and appears to have fewer side-effects.

OBJECTIVE

The primary objective of this trial is to investigate the effectiveness and tolerability of methotrexate as first-line therapy in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis compared with prednisone. The primary endpoint of this study will be the change in hospital-measured Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) between baseline and 24 weeks. Secondary objectives are to gain more insights in response to therapy in individual patients by home spirometry and patient-reported outcomes. Blood biomarkers will be examined to find predictors of response to therapy, disease progression and chronicity, and to improve our understanding of the underlying disease mechanism.

METHODS/DESIGN

In this prospective, randomized, non-blinded, multi-center, non-inferiority trial, we plan to randomize 138 treatment-naïve patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis who are about to start treatment. Patients will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either prednisone or methotrexate in a predefined schedule for 24 weeks, after which they will be followed up in regular care for up to 2 years. Regular hospital visits will include pulmonary function assessment, completion of patient-reported outcomes, and blood withdrawal. Additionally, patients will be asked to perform weekly home spirometry, and record symptoms and side-effects via a home monitoring application for 24 weeks.

DISCUSSION

This study will be the first randomized controlled trial comparing first-line treatment of prednisone and methotrexate and provide valuable data on efficacy, safety, quality of life and biomarkers. If this study confirms the hypothesis that methotrexate is as effective as prednisone as first-line treatment for sarcoidosis but with fewer side-effects, this will lead to improvement in care and initiate a change in practice. Furthermore, insights into the immunological mechanisms underlying sarcoidosis pathology might reveal new therapeutic targets.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study was registered on the 19th of March 2020 in the International Clinical Trial Registry, www.clinicaltrials.gov; ID NCT04314193 .

Methotrexate in sarcoidosis: hematologic and hepatic toxicity encountered in a large cohort over a six year period

BACKGROUND

Methotrexate (MTX) is a second line agent for treatment of sarcoidosis. Its long term safety and efficacy in sarcoidosis remains unclear.

METHODS

This was a retrospective review of patients seen at the University of Cincinnati Sarcoidosis Clinic over a six year period. For each visit, complete blood count, liver function testing, and dosing and outcome of MTX was noted. For efficacy, we compared the outcome of therapy of a matching subgroup of patients treated with either MTX or infliximab for one year and results scored as improved, stable, or worse based on response of the target organ.

RESULTS

Over six years, 1606 sarcoidosis patients were seen with a total of 13,576 clinical visits. During the study period, 607 patients (38% of total) were receiving MTX and had available blood work. Moderate elevation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (>3 times upper limit normal) was seen in nine (1.6%) patients. White blood count of <1500 cells per cu mm was seen in one patient. At six months, over half of the 44 patients initiated on infliximab and with at least six months of follow-up were better, while only 23% of the 44 of a matched subset of MTX treated patients were better (Chi square=10.566, p=0.0143). At the 12 month assessment, the infliximab treated patients were still more likely to be better than those treated with MTX (Chi square=10.033, p=0.0183). Only 23% of those treated with MTX were worse at twelve months.

CONCLUSION

In our study, MTX therapy was associated with very few hepatic or hematologic complications. MTX was less likely than infliximab to improve clinical status. However, only 20% were worse after one year of MTX. (Sarcoidosis Vasc Diffuse Lung Dis 2020; 37 (3): e2020001).

Safety and efficacy of abatacept in patients with treatment-resistant SARCoidosis (ABASARC) - protocol for a multi-center, single-arm phase IIa trial

INTRODUCTION

Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous systemic disease that becomes chronic in approximately one third of affected patients resulting in quality of life and functional impairment. Immunosuppressive drugs other than steroids represent alternative therapeutic options, but side effects like liver and bone marrow toxicity or increased susceptibility to infections limit their use. Pathophysiological studies in sarcoidosis patients demonstrate altered regulatory T-cell functions with a reduced expression of CTLA-4 (CD152) and prolonged inflammation. Therefore, interfering with CTLA-4 using abatacept might be a therapeutic option in sarcoidosis similar to rheumatoid arthritis therapy.

METHODS/DESIGN

This is a multicenter prospective open-labeled single arm phase II study addressing the safety of abatacept in sarcoidosis patients. 30 patients with chronic sarcoidosis requiring immunosuppressive therapy beyond 5 mg prednisolone equivalent will be treated with abatacept in combination with corticosteroids for one year in two centers.The primary endpoint is the number and characterization of severe infectious complications under treatment with abatacept.Secondary endpoints are the rate of all infections, patient-related outcomes (assessed by questionnaires), lung function and immunological parameters including alveolar inflammation assessed by bronchoaveolar lavage.

DISCUSSION

This is the first trial of abatacept in patients with sarcoidosis. It is hypothesized that administration of abatacept is safe in patients with chronic sarcoidosis and can limit ongoing inflammation. Patients' wellbeing is assessed by established questionnaires. Immunological work-up will highlight the effect of abatacept on inflammatory pathways in sarcoidosis.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial has been registered at the German Clinical Trial Registry (Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien, DRKS) with the identity number DRKS00011660.

Management of repository corticotrophin injection therapy for pulmonary sarcoidosis: a Delphi study

In patients treated with repository corticotrophin injection (RCI) for pulmonary sarcoidosis, effective management of adverse events may improve adherence. However, management of adverse events may be challenging due to limitations in real-world clinical experience with RCI and available published guidelines.

We surveyed 12 physicians with a modified Delphi process using three questionnaires. Questionnaire 1 consisted of open-ended questions. Panellists' answers were developed into a series of statements for Questionnaires 2 and 3. In these, physicians rated their agreement with the statements using a Likert scale.

Key consensus recommendations included a starting dose of 40 units twice a week for patients with less severe disease, continued at a maintenance dose for patients who responded, particularly those with chronic refractory sarcoidosis. Panellists reached consensus that concomitant steroids should be quickly tapered in patients receiving RCI, but that concomitant use of immunosuppressive medications should be continued. Panellists developed consensus recommendations for adverse event management, and reached consensus that RCI should be down-titrated or discontinued if other interventions for the adverse effects fail or if the adverse effect is severe.

In the absence of clinical evidence, our Delphi consensus opinions may provide practical guidance to physicians on the management of RCI to treat pulmonary sarcoidosis.

In this paper, a modified Delphi method was used to develop an expert consensus on the use of repository corticotrophin injection therapy for pulmonary sarcoidosis, including dosing, concomitant medications, contraindications and adverse event management.http://bit.ly/2TyauZp

Clinical phenotyping: role in treatment decisions in sarcoidosis

A variety of phenotypic categorisations have been developed for sarcoidosis. Phenotyping has been used for genetics studies and to guide treatment selection. The authors participated in a Delphi expert consensus panel to develop a proposed phenotype categorisation and treatment recommendations for pulmonary sarcoidosis patients. Panellists reached consensus that asymptomatic patients with normal pulmonary function and adenopathy alone or normal chest imaging do not require therapy, while symptomatic patients with impaired pulmonary function or infiltrates should be treated. The panel did not reach consensus on asymptomatic patients with abnormal chest imaging or reduced pulmonary function, or symptomatic patients with normal chest imaging and pulmonary function. The proposed phenotype categories and associated treatment recommendations are asymptomatic (no therapy), acute (disease duration <1–2 years, apparently self-limited, corticosteroids), chronic (antimetabolites and other second-line therapies) and advanced (biologics). Some clinical settings, such as dyspnoea/hypoxaemia at rest, severely impaired or rapidly decreasing pulmonary function tests, and severe cardiac, neurologic, ocular or renal involvement warrant immediate therapy.

Expert Delphi consensus recommendations on clinical phenotyping to guide therapy for pulmonary sarcoidosis – asymptomatic: no therapy; acute: corticosteroids; chronic: cytotoxics plus other second line; advanced: biologics plus other third line.http://bit.ly/38Lio7U