1
|
Atzeni F, Alciati A, Gozza F, Masala IF, Siragusano C, Pipitone N. Interstitial lung disease in rheumatic diseases: an update of the 2018 review. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2025; 21:209-226. [PMID: 39302018 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2024.2407536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 09/18/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a potential severe complication of various rheumatic diseases, typically connective tissue diseases (CTD), associated with significant morbidity and mortality. ILD may occur during the course of the disease but may also be its first manifestation. Several cell types are involved in ILD's pathogenesis, and if not controlled, pulmonary inflammation may lead to pulmonary fibrosis. AREAS COVERED We searched PubMed, Medline, and the Cochrane Library for papers published between 1995 and February 2017 in the first version, and between 2017 and April 2023 using combinations of words. The most frequent systemic rheumatic diseases associated with ILD are systemic sclerosis (SSc), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and idiopathic inflammatory myositis. Treatment and monitoring guidelines are still lacking, and current treatment strategies have been extrapolated from the literature on SSc and established treatments for non-pulmonary systemic rheumatic manifestations. EXPERT OPINION Given the complexity of diagnosis and the paucity of treatment trials, managing CTD patients with ILD is challenging. It requires the skills of multidisciplinary CTD-ILD clinics including at least rheumatologists and lung specialists.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola Atzeni
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Experimental and Internal Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Alessandra Alciati
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Villa S. Benedetto Menni, Albese, Como, Italy
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Francesco Gozza
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Experimental and Internal Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Cesare Siragusano
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Experimental and Internal Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Nicolò Pipitone
- Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Conticini E, Cameli P, Grazzini S, d'Alessandro M, Bergantini L, Porcelli B, Mazzei MA, Cantarini L, Bargagli E, Frediani B. Efficacy and safety of a step-down regimen of low dosage of glucocorticoids combined with early administration of synthetic or biologic immunosuppressants in anti-synthetase syndrome: A pilot study. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2024; 69:152560. [PMID: 39342896 DOI: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2024.152560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2024] [Revised: 08/14/2024] [Accepted: 09/23/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Anti-synthetase syndrome (ASS) is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by the presence of anti-aminoacyl-transfer-RNA synthetase antibodies (ARS) and the involvement of muscles, skin, joints, and lungs. Despite increasing interest and evidence, optimal clinical management remains unclear due to a lack of randomized control trials. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a treatment regimen involving early co-administration of glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants, with rapid prednisone tapering. MATERIALS AND METHODS We prospectively enrolled patients referred to our multidisciplinary "Myositis Clinic" with a diagnosis of ASS. Clinical, serological, instrumental and medications data were collected at baseline and at 6 and 12 months follow-up. According to treatment protocol, patients were treated with traditional synthetic immunosuppressants or rituximab (RTX) depending on clinical manifestations. Prednisone (PDN) was gradually tapered and eventually discontinued within 6 or 12 months. RESULTS A total of twenty-seven subjects were enrolled: arthritis, myositis and ILD were assessed in 9, 16 and 18 patients, respectively, and all of them had an active disease. RTX was administered after methotrexate (MTX) in 4 cases of refractory joint involvement and co-administration of a second immunosuppressant was necessary in 2 patients. When muscle involvement was present, first-line therapy was MTX, followed by mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or RTX, which allowed to achieve low disease activity or remission, respectively. Eight ILD-patients were treated with MMF and switched to RTX in 5 cases of inefficacy, but all patients were in clinical remission at the end of follow-up. At 12 months, 12 patients discontinued PDN. CONCLUSIONS This study is the first to prospectively report on the efficacy and safety of a stepwise, steroid-sparing treatment ASS encompassing various domains. MTX, as well as other synthetic immunosuppressants, showed limited efficacy in ASS-related arthritis, while RTX emerged as a promising option. This study recommends early RTX use in case of arthritis, suggesting it as a pivotal treatment for ILD too, and raises questions regarding maintenance therapy and treatment-free remission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Conticini
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Paolo Cameli
- Respiratory Diseases Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Italy.
| | - Silvia Grazzini
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Miriana d'Alessandro
- Respiratory Diseases Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Laura Bergantini
- Respiratory Diseases Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Italy
| | | | - Maria Antonietta Mazzei
- Diagnostic Imaging Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Luca Cantarini
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Elena Bargagli
- Respiratory Diseases Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Bruno Frediani
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Campochiaro C, Farina N, De Luca G, Batani V, Trignani G, Vignale D, Palmisano A, Matucci-Cerinic M, Dagna L. Effectiveness and safety of mycophenolate mofetil and rituximab combination therapy for immune idiopathic myopathies. Arthritis Res Ther 2024; 26:79. [PMID: 38570792 PMCID: PMC10988925 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-024-03310-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) represent a rare and heterogenous group diseases, and their treatment is not fully defined yet. According to previous small case series, the combination of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and rituximab (RTX) may be effective in controlling difficult-to-treat patients. Our aim was to further explore the efficacy and safety of this combined approach in patients with IIM. METHODS Patients with IIM treated with the RTX/MMF combination in our Center were retrospectively identified. After the start of combination therapy, the efficacy was evaluated at 12 months (T12) according the 2016 ACR/EULAR response criteria for IIM. Cardiac imaging and pulmonary function tests were used to monitor disease activity in patients with myocarditis and interstitial lung disease, respectively. Adverse events were recorded over the follow-up period. RESULTS Among the 20 patients (median age 61 years; 70% female) included in the study, anti-synthetase syndrome was the most prevalent IIM subgroup (60%). At treatment start, muscle, heart, and lung were the most commonly actively affected organs. After 12 months, a moderate or major response was observed in all patients, and creatine kinase was significantly decreased (p-value = 0.012). Cardiac imaging and enzymes monitoring showed a reduction of heart inflammation, while pulmonary function tests improved in patients with lung involvement. No severe side effects were observed. CONCLUSION Our data show that combination of RTX and MMF is effective and safe in patients with severe and refractory IIM. Therefore, this combined treatment might represent a feasible approach for difficult-to-treat IIM cases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Corrado Campochiaro
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132, Milan, Italy.
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
| | - Nicola Farina
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Giacomo De Luca
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Veronica Batani
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Davide Vignale
- Unit of Radiology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Palmisano
- Unit of Radiology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Dagna
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Manwatkar A, Padiyar S, Nair A, Jha A, Kumar S, Yadav B, Prakash JAJ, Das JK, Mathew J. Clinical profile of anti-NXP-2 antibody-positive inflammatory myositis and outcome in an Indian population. Clin Rheumatol 2023; 42:3289-3297. [PMID: 37801141 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-023-06751-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Myositis-specific antibodies (MSA) play an important role in the clinical presentation and prognosis of patients with idiopathic inflammatory myositis (IIM). Anti-NXP-2 is one of the newly described MSA. OBJECTIVE We aimed to describe various clinical presentations associated with anti-NXP2 antibodies and assess response to treatment. METHODS In this retrospective study, the electronic medical records of all patients who tested positive for anti-NXP2 during June 2019 to April 2022 were screened. Details of demography, clinical presentation, and treatment data were recorded. The anti-NXP2 was tested using the Euro line test kit. Any patient who had an intensity of ≥1+ was considered testing positive. The diagnosis of IIM was reviewed after applying the 2017 European League of Rheumatology (EULAR)/American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria of myositis. RESULTS Among the 660 suspected patients, 470 (71.2%) patients were positive for IIM, and 28 (5.95%) patients were positive for anti-NXP2. From anti-NXP2-antibody positive, 21/470 (4.46%) patients fulfilled criteria for IIM. Among 12 adult (57.14%) patients with IIM, 7 (58.33%) presented as polymyositis (PM) and 5 (41.6%) as dermatomyositis (DM) with median age at presentation of 45 (IQR: 25-58) years. Calcinosis and subcutaneous oedema were observed in 4 (19%) and 2 (9.52%), respectively; myalgia in 6 (28.6%); and distal muscle weakness in 5 (23.8%) patients. Malignancy at the time of diagnosis was observed in two adults with IIM (16.7%), one with DM (intraductal breast cancer), and another with PM (anaplastic large cell lymphoma). Remaining, 9 had juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) with a median age of 4 (IQR: 3-8) years. Seven (77.8%) patients with JDM had skin rash specific for DM (heliotrope rash and Gottron's papule). None of the patients had cardiac and lung involvement, while GI symptoms, especially dysphagia, were present in 5 (23.8%) patients. During a median follow-up of 19 months (IQR: 12-26 months), 19/19 patients reported improvement and were in remission with treatment. CONCLUSION The current study shows that adult DM patients with anti-NXP-2 autoantibodies have a unique clinical phenotype. Its presentation differs between adult and JDM, even in different parts of the world. Muscle weakness is mild and responds to treatment. Dysphagia needs more time and aggressive IS for improvement as compared to other muscle involvement. Key Points • Anti-NXP-2 antibody presentation varied from adult to child, as in different parts of the world. • In Indian adult patients, non-specific skin manifestations were more common, whereas in JDM, specific skin features were common. • There was less likely involvement of the lung and heart. But more risk of GI involvement requiring aggressive management. • Adult with anti-NXP-2 antibody should be screened for malignancy at the time of presentation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abhilasha Manwatkar
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Christian Medical College Vellore, Vellore, India
| | - Shivraj Padiyar
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Aswin Nair
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Christian Medical College Vellore, Vellore, India
| | - Avanish Jha
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Christian Medical College Vellore, Vellore, India
| | - Sathish Kumar
- Department of Paediatrics, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | - Bijesh Yadav
- Department of Biostatistics, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | | | - John Kumar Das
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Christian Medical College Vellore, Vellore, India
| | - John Mathew
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Christian Medical College Vellore, Vellore, India.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Bhat R, Tonutti A, Timilsina S, Selmi C, Gershwin ME. Perspectives on Mycophenolate Mofetil in the Management of Autoimmunity. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2023:10.1007/s12016-023-08963-3. [PMID: 37338709 DOI: 10.1007/s12016-023-08963-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Before becoming a cornerstone in the treatment of numerous immune-mediated diseases, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) was first introduced as an immunosuppressive agent in transplant immunology and later received the attention of rheumatologists and clinicians involved in the management of autoimmune diseases. MMF is now a widespread immunosuppressive drug for the treatment of several conditions, including lupus nephritis, interstitial lung disease associated with systemic sclerosis, and anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis while being efficacious also as rescue therapy in various orphan diseases, including dermatomyositis and IgA-associated nephropathy. Similarly, case reports or series support a possible use of MMF in other rare autoimmune diseases. Beyond modulating lymphocyte activation, MMF acts on other immune and non-immune cells and these effects may explain the therapeutic profile of this medication. The effects of MMF are broadly characterized by the impact on the immune system and the antiproliferative and antifibrotic changes induced. In this latter case, mechanistic data on fibroblasts may in the future allow to reevaluate the use of MMF in selected patients with inflammatory arthritis or systemic sclerosis. Attention must be paid towards the possible occurrence of adverse events, such as gastrointestinal complaints and teratogenicity, while the risk of infections and cancer related to MMF needs to be further investigated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rithika Bhat
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - Antonio Tonutti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Suraj Timilsina
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - Carlo Selmi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy.
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.
| | - M Eric Gershwin
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Davis, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Das S, Goswami RP, Sinha D, Shobhana A, Purkayastha S, Datta A. Mycophenolate mofetil as induction and maintenance immunosuppressive therapy in adult primary central nervous system vasculitis: A prospective observational study. Clin Rheumatol 2023:10.1007/s10067-023-06602-y. [PMID: 37069367 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-023-06602-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
To observe the clinical and angiographic effectiveness of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) as induction and maintenance immunosuppressive therapy in primary central nervous system vasculitis (PCNSV). In this open-label prospective study done at a tertiary care neurology centre, adult patients with PCNSV, diagnosed by Calabrese's criteria, were recruited from 2017 to 2021 and treated with glucocorticoids, MMF and standard of care. Patients were followed-up and clinical and angiographic changes were recorded. Total 26 patients were recruited with median age 39 years (34-49) with a slight female predilection (61.5%). Angiographic diagnoses were: small vessels disease 11.5%; large vessels disease 42.3% and both in 46.2%. Median duration of follow-up was 24.5 months (14.25-38). Proportion of patients with severe disability (modified Rankin Score (mRS) 4-6) at baseline was 73.08% (19/26) which reduced to 7.69% (2/26) (p < 0.001). At the last follow-up mRS = 0 was achieved in 38.5% (10/26) and mRS of ≤ 1 was achieved in 69.2% (18/26). Median time to achieve a mRS ≤ 1 was 12 months (95% CI: 6.8-17.2). Angiography was repeated in 16 patients after a median duration of 13 months (10.5-19.7), out of which 10 (62.5%) showed improvement and 5 (31.2%) showed non-progression of lesions. MMF may be an effective immunosuppressive therapy in adult PCNSV as both induction and maintenance. Serial DSA of brain may be useful to monitor the effect of treatment. Key Points • Mycophenolate mofetil is effective as induction and maintenance immunosuppressive therapy in PCNSV. • Repeat angiogram may be useful to monitor treatment response in PCNSV.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shyamashis Das
- Department of Rheumatology, Institute of Neurosciences Kolkata (I-NK), 185, Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Rd, Elgin, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700017, India.
| | - Rudra Prosad Goswami
- Department of Rheumatology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Sri Aurobindo Marg, Ansari Nagar, Ansari Nagar East, Delhi, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Debanjali Sinha
- Department of Rheumatology, Institute of Neurosciences Kolkata (I-NK), 185, Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Rd, Elgin, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700017, India
| | - A Shobhana
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neurosciences Kolkata (I-NK), 185, Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Rd, Elgin, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700017, India
| | - Sukalyan Purkayastha
- Department of Interventional Neuro-Radiology, Institute of Neurosciences Kolkata (I-NK), 185, Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Rd, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700017, India
| | - Ashis Datta
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neurosciences Kolkata (I-NK), 185, Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Rd, Elgin, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700017, India
| |
Collapse
|