Role of etanercept in the treatment of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome: personal experience and review of the literature

Monitoring of Adverse Events and Safety in Autoinflammatory Diseases: Real-Life Data from the Eurofever Registry

OBJECTIVES

The study is aimed to evaluate the impact of safety events in the Eurofever registry for Autoinflammatory diseases.

METHODS

This was a retrospective and longitudinal observational multicentre study. Data were retrieved from the international registry Eurofever, starting patients' enrolment since 2009. All moderate, severe, or very severe AEs reported by treating physician in Eurofever were analyzed regardless of a possible suspected causal relationship to any therapies and according to the latest release of the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities.

RESULTS

Complete information on safety were available in 2464 patients enrolled in the registry. In 1499 of them retrospective data encompassing the period from disease onset to enrolment were available, whereas 965 consecutive patients entered in the longitudinal part of the study. A total of 479 AEs have been reported in 275 patients. Eighty-two AEs were reported as serious and 99 were drug-related according to the physicians. Infections or infestations (94; 19.6%), gastrointestinal disorders (66; 13.8%), nervous system disorders (41; 8.6%) and systemic disorders or administration site reactions (35; 7.3%) were the most frequent reported events. The highest absolute number of drug-related AEs were related to biologic DMARDs (40/99 reports, 40,4%) and colchicine (31/99 reports, 31.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

Present study shows the importance of a longitudinal and homogeneous registration of the AEs in rare conditions, with a particular focus on the safety profile of the treatments used in these conditions.

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated cycle syndrome: a case report and literature review

Recurring episodes of fever characterize tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) which is autosomal dominant. The primary symptoms of patients with TRAPS include prolonged fever, abdominal pain, muscle pain, and skin rashes. The prevalence of TRAPS appeared higher in Western countries than in Asian countries. Herein, we present the case of a 13-year-old girl who experienced intermittent fever for 8 years, with episodes that occur every 2 years. The patient demonstrated periodic fever, headache, vomiting, rash, and elevated inflammatory marker levels during the disease course. A heterozygous C55Y mutation was identified via a direct DNA sequencing of her genomic DNA. This mutation is located in exon 4 of TNFRSF1A. Genetic studies of her sister and mother revealed that they possessed the C55Y heterozygous mutation without demonstrating any clinical signs, while the father did not. Further, we conducted a thorough assessment of the literature and compiled the information from the eight TRAPS case series.

The Clinical Chameleon of Autoinflammatory Diseases in Children

The very first line of defense in humans is innate immunity, serving as a critical strongpoint in the regulation of inflammation. Abnormalities of the innate immunity machinery make up a motley group of rare diseases, named ‘autoinflammatory’, which are caused by mutations in genes involved in different immune pathways. Self-limited inflammatory bouts involving skin, serosal membranes, joints, gut and other districts of the human body burst and recur with variable periodicity in most autoinflammatory diseases (ADs), often leading to secondary amyloidosis as a long-term complication. Dysregulated inflammasome activity, overproduction of interleukin (IL)-1 or other IL-1-related cytokines and delayed shutdown of inflammation are pivotal keys in the majority of ADs. The recent progress of cellular biology has clarified many molecular mechanisms behind monogenic ADs, such as familial Mediterranean fever, tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (or ‘autosomal dominant familial periodic fever’), cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome, mevalonate kinase deficiency, hereditary pyogenic diseases, idiopathic granulomatous diseases and defects of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. A long-lasting history of recurrent fevers should require the ruling out of chronic infections and malignancies before considering ADs in children. Little is known about the potential origin of polygenic ADs, in which sterile cytokine-mediated inflammation results from the activation of the innate immunity network, without familial recurrency, such as periodic fever/aphthous stomatitis/pharyngitis/cervical adenopathy (PFAPA) syndrome. The puzzle of febrile attacks recurring over time with chameleonic multi-inflammatory symptoms in children demands the inspection of the mixture of clinical data, inflammation parameters in the different disease phases, assessment of therapeutic efficacy of a handful of drugs such as corticosteroids, colchicine or IL-1 antagonists, and genotype analysis to exclude or confirm a monogenic origin.

Anakinra and canakinumab for patients with R92Q-associated autoinflammatory syndrome: a multicenter observational study from the AIDA Network

Background:

This study aims at describing the therapeutic outcome of patients carrying the R92Q variant in the TNFRSF1A gene treated with anakinra (ANA) or canakinumab (CAN) and identifying any factors predictive of complete response to IL-1 inhibition.

Methods:

Clinical data of patients treated with ANA or CAN for recurrent inflammatory attacks due to the presence of the R92Q variant were retrospectively collected and analysed.

Results:

Data about 20 treatment courses with IL-1 inhibitors (16 with ANA and 4 with CAN) from 19 patients were collected. Mean age at disease onset was 20.2 ± 14.8 years. In 5 cases (26%) the R92Q variant was found in a family member affected by recurrent fever. The therapeutic response was complete in 13(68%) and partial in 2 patients (11%); treatment failure was observed in 4 cases (21%). Median AIDAI decreased from 10 (interquartile range [IQR] = 28) to 0 (IQR = 1) at the 12-month follow-up visit (p < 0.001). Mean ESR and median CRP dropped respectively from 40.8 ± 24.8 to 9.1 ± 4.5 mm/h (p < 0.001) and from 3.0 (IQR = 1.9) to 0.3 (IQR = 0.3) mg/dl (p < 0.001) after 12 months of treatment. A steroid-sparing effect was observed from the third month of treatment (p < 0.01). Thirteen patients (65%) were still on treatment at the last follow-up visit (median duration of treatment 17 (IQR = 38) months). The presence of R92Q mutation in a symptomatic relative (p = 0.022), the relapsing remitting disease course (p < 0.001) and the presence of migratory erythematous skin rashes during fever attacks (p = 0.005) were associated with complete efficacy of IL-1 inhibitors.

Conclusions:

R92Q patients showed a favourable response to ANA and CAN, particularly when the mutation segregated in a family member and when a relapsing-remitting disease course or TNF-α receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) typical skin rash were observed. In the subgroup of patients not taking advantage of IL-1 blockage different molecular mechanisms underlying the autoinflammatory picture are likely to exist.

Clinical Features at Onset and Genetic Characterization of Pediatric and Adult Patients with TNF-α Receptor-Associated Periodic Syndrome (TRAPS): A Series of 80 Cases from the AIDA Network

This study explores demographic, clinical, and therapeutic features of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) in a cohort of 80 patients recruited from 19 Italian referral Centers. Patients' data were collected retrospectively and then analyzed according to age groups (disease onset before or after 16 years) and genotype (high penetrance (HP) and low penetrance (LP) TNFRSF1A gene variants). Pediatric- and adult-onset were reported, respectively, in 44 and 36 patients; HP and LP variants were found, respectively, in 32 and 44 cases. A positive family history for recurrent fever was reported more frequently in the pediatric group than in the adult group (p < 0.05). With reference to clinical features during attacks, pericarditis and myalgia were reported more frequently in the context of adult-onset disease than in the pediatric age (with p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively), while abdominal pain was present in 84% of children and in 25% of adults (p < 0.01). Abdominal pain was significantly associated also to the presence of HP mutations (p < 0.01), while oral aphthosis was more frequently found in the LP variant group (p < 0.05). Systemic amyloidosis occurred in 25% of subjects carrying HP variants. As concerns laboratory features, HP mutations were significantly associated to higher ESR values (p < 0.01) and to the persistence of steadily elevated inflammatory markers during asymptomatic periods (p < 0.05). The presence of mutations involving a cysteine residue, abdominal pain, and lymphadenopathy during flares significantly correlated with the risk of developing amyloidosis and renal impairment. Conversely, the administration of colchicine negatively correlated to the development of pathologic proteinuria (p < 0.05). Both NSAIDs and colchicine were used as monotherapy more frequently in the LP group compared to the HP group (p < 0.01). Biologic agents were prescribed to 49 (61%) patients; R92Q subjects were more frequently on NSAIDs monotherapy than other patients (p < 0.01); nevertheless, they required biologic therapy in 53.1% of cases. At disease onset, the latest classification criteria for TRAPS were fulfilled by 64/80 (80%) patients (clinical plus genetic items) and 46/80 (57.5%) patients (clinical items only). No statistically significant differences were found in the sensitivity of the classification criteria according to age at onset and according to genotype (p < 0.05). This study describes one of the widest cohorts of TRAPS patients in the literature, suggesting that the clinical expression of this syndrome is more influenced by the penetrance of the mutation rather than by the age at onset itself. Given the high phenotypic heterogeneity of the disease, a definite diagnosis should rely on both accurate working clinical assessment and complementary genotype.

Phenotype variability of autoinflammatory disorders in the pediatric patient: A pictorial overview

Disruption of innate immunity leading to systemic inflammation and multi-organ dysfunction is the basilar footprint of autoinflammatory disorders (AIDs), ranging from rare hereditary monogenic diseases to a large number of common chronic inflammatory conditions in which there is a simultaneous participation of multiple genetic components and environmental factors, sometimes combined with autoimmune phenomena and immunodeficiency. Whatever their molecular mechanism, hereditary AIDs are caused by mutations in regulatory molecules or sensors proteins leading to dysregulated production of proinflammatory cytokines or cytokine-inducing transcription factors, fever, elevation of acute phase reactants, and a portfolio of manifold inflammatory signs which might occur in a stereotyped manner, mostly with overactivity or misactivation of different inflammasomes. Symptoms might overlap in the pediatric patient, obscuring the final diagnosis of AIDs and delaying the most appropriate treatment. Actually, the fast-paced evolution of scientific knowledge has led to recognize or reclassify an overgrowing number of multifactorial diseases, which share the basic pathogenetic mechanisms with AIDs. The wide framework of classic hereditary periodic fevers, AIDs with prominent skin involvement, disorders of the ubiquitin-proteasome system, defects of actin cytoskeleton dynamics, and also idiopathic nonhereditary febrile syndromes occurring in children is herein presented. Interleukin-1 dependence of these diseases or involvement of other predominating molecules is also discussed.

Systematic literature review of efficacy/effectiveness and safety of current therapies for the treatment of cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome, hyperimmunoglobulin D syndrome and tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome

OBJECTIVES

Several therapies are used for the treatment of rareautoinflammatory conditions like cryopyrin-associated periodic fever syndromes (CAPS), hyperimmunoglobulin Dsyndrome (HIDS)/mevalonate kinase deficiency (MKD) and tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS). However, reviews reporting on treatment outcomes of these therapies are lacking.

METHODS

A systematic literature review was conducted using Embase, MEDLINE, MEDLINE-In Process and Cochrane databases to identify the randomised/non-randomised controlled trials (RCTs/non-RCTs) and real-world observational studies of CAPS, HIDS/MKD and TRAPS published as full-texts (January 2000-September 2017) or conference abstracts (January 2014-September 2017). Studies with data for ≥1 biologic were included. Studies with <5 patients were excluded.

RESULTS

Of the 3 342 retrieved publications, 72 studies were included (CAPS, n=43; HIDS/MKD, n=9; TRAPS, n=7; studies with ≥2 cohorts, n=13). Most studies were full-text (n=56), published after 2010 (n=56) and real-world observational studies (n=58). Among included studies, four were RCTs (canakinumab, n=2 (CAPS, n=1; HIDS/MKD and TRAPS, n=1); rilonacept, n=1 (in CAPS); simvastatin, n=1 (in HIDS/MKD)). Canakinumab and anakinra were the most commonly used therapies for CAPS and HIDS/MKD, whereas etanercept, canakinumab and anakinra were the most common for TRAPS. The available evidence suggested the efficacy or effectiveness of canakinumab and anakinra in CAPS, HIDS/MKD and TRAPS, and of etanercept in TRAPS; asingle RCT demonstrated the efficacy of rilonacept in CAPS.

CONCLUSIONS

Canakinumab, anakinra, etanercept and rilonacept were reported to be well tolerated; however, injection-site reactions were observed frequently with anakinra, rilonacept and etanercept. Data on the use of tocilizumab, infliximab and adalimumab in these conditions were limited; thus, further research is warranted.

Revisiting TNF Receptor-Associated Periodic Syndrome (TRAPS): Current Perspectives

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) is an autosomal dominant autoinflammatory syndrome characterized by prolonged and recurrent episodes of fever, abdominal and/or chest pain, arthralgia, myalgia, and erythematous rash. TRAPS is associated with heterozygous variants in the TNFRSF1A gene, which encodes the TNFR1 (tumor necrosis factor receptor 1) receptor. Disease-causing variants are found exclusively in the extracellular domain of TNFR1 and affect receptor structure and binding to the TNF ligand. The precise mechanism of the disease is still unclear, but it is thought that intracellular accumulation of misfolded mutant protein leads to endoplasmic reticulum stress and enhanced inflammatory responses through constitutive activation of various immune pathways. Other possible mechanisms contributing to the disease pathogenesis include defective receptor shedding, TNF-induced cell death, production of reactive oxygen species, and autophagy impairment. Patients' leucocytes are hyperresponsive to stimulation and produce elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines. Systemic autoimmune (AA) amyloidosis is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in TRAPS. Over the last two decades, new therapies have changed the progression and outcome of the disease. In this review, we summarize clinical data from 209 patients with validated pathogenic variants reported in the literature and discuss TRAPS diagnosis, pathogenesis, and treatment options.

The TNF Family of Ligands and Receptors: Communication Modules in the Immune System and Beyond

The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and TNF receptor (TNFR) superfamilies (TNFSF/TNFRSF) include 19 ligands and 29 receptors that play important roles in the modulation of cellular functions. The communication pathways mediated by TNFSF/TNFRSF are essential for numerous developmental, homeostatic, and stimulus-responsive processes in vivo. TNFSF/TNFRSF members regulate cellular differentiation, survival, and programmed death, but their most critical functions pertain to the immune system. Both innate and adaptive immune cells are controlled by TNFSF/TNFRSF members in a manner that is crucial for the coordination of various mechanisms driving either co-stimulation or co-inhibition of the immune response. Dysregulation of these same signaling pathways has been implicated in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, highlighting the importance of their tight regulation. Investigation of the control of TNFSF/TNFRSF activities has led to the development of therapeutics with the potential to reduce chronic inflammation or promote anti-tumor immunity. The study of TNFSF/TNFRSF proteins has exploded over the last 30 yr, but there remains a need to better understand the fundamental mechanisms underlying the molecular pathways they mediate to design more effective anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer therapies.

Predictors of sustained clinical response in patients with Behçet's disease-related uveitis treated with infliximab and adalimumab

To identify clinical variables capable of predicting long-term treatment duration of TNF-α inhibition in patients with Behçet's disease (BD)-related uveitis. Demographic, clinical, and therapeutic data were retrospectively collected from BD patients treated with the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α blockers infliximab and adalimumab. Patients still continuing TNF-α inhibitors at 48-month follow-up visits were classified as long-term responders and were statistically compared to patients discontinuing treatment before the 48-month visit. Forty-five patients (75 eyes) were enrolled. Thirty-two patients continued anti-TNF-α treatment for more than 48 months; 13 patients discontinued the treatment after a mean time of 12.3 ± 10.44 months due to lack (61.5%) or loss (38.5%) of efficacy. Baseline value of BD current activity form was the only variable discriminating long- and short-term responsive patients (p = 0.048, OR = 0.656, C.I. 95% 0.433-0.996). Disease activity levels at the start of treatment predict duration of response to monoclonal TNF antagonists in ocular BD.

Monogenic Autoinflammatory Diseases with Mendelian Inheritance: Genes, Mutations, and Genotype/Phenotype Correlations

Autoinflammatory diseases (AIDs) are a genetically heterogeneous group of diseases caused by mutations of genes encoding proteins, which play a pivotal role in the regulation of the inflammatory response. In the pathogenesis of AIDs, the role of the genetic background is triggered by environmental factors through the modulation of the innate immune system. Monogenic AIDs are characterized by Mendelian inheritance and are caused by highly penetrant genetic variants in single genes. During the last years, remarkable progress has been made in the identification of disease-associated genes by using new technologies, such as next-generation sequencing, which has allowed the genetic characterization in undiagnosed patients and in sporadic cases by means of targeted resequencing of a gene panel and whole exome sequencing. In this review, we delineate the genetics of the monogenic AIDs, report the role of the most common gene mutations, and describe the evidences of the most sound genotype/phenotype correlations in AID.

Canakinumab efficacy and long-term tocilizumab administration in tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS)

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) is an autosomal dominantly inherited autoinflammatory disease caused by mutations in the TNFRSF1A gene. Treatment is aimed at preventing acute disease attacks, improving quality of life, and preventing long-term complications such as systemic reactive amyloidosis. Biologic agents have significantly improved TRAPS management. In particular, interleukin 1 (IL-1) inhibition either with the recombinant IL-1 receptor antagonist anakinra or with the human IgG1 anti-IL-1β monoclonal antibody canakinumab has recently shown to induce a prompt and stable disease remission. Conversely, the successful experience with IL-6 inhibition is nowadays limited to a single patient. Anyway, introduction of new treatment options for patients requiring a lifelong therapy is desirable. We describe two TRAPS patients (son and father) successfully treated with canakinumab and tocilizumab, respectively. In particular, we highlight the clinical and laboratory efficacy as well as the good safety profile of tocilizumab during a 42-month follow-up period.

Interleukin-1 as a common denominator from autoinflammatory to autoimmune disorders: premises, perils, and perspectives

A complex web of dynamic relationships between innate and adaptive immunity is now evident for many autoinflammatory and autoimmune disorders, the first deriving from abnormal activation of innate immune system without any conventional danger triggers and the latter from self-/non-self-discrimination loss of tolerance, and systemic inflammation. Due to clinical and pathophysiologic similarities giving a crucial role to the multifunctional cytokine interleukin-1, the concept of autoinflammation has been expanded to include nonhereditary collagen-like diseases, idiopathic inflammatory diseases, and metabolic diseases. As more patients are reported to have clinical features of autoinflammation and autoimmunity, the boundary between these two pathologic ends is becoming blurred. An overview of monogenic autoinflammatory disorders, PFAPA syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, type 2 diabetes mellitus, uveitis, pericarditis, Behçet's disease, gout, Sjögren's syndrome, interstitial lung diseases, and Still's disease is presented to highlight the fundamental points that interleukin-1 displays in the cryptic interplay between innate and adaptive immune systems.

Autoimmunity and autoinflammation as the yin and yang of idiopathic recurrent acute pericarditis

Autoimmunity and autoinflammation are generally considered as mutually exclusive mechanisms of diseases but may concur to specific syndromes. Idiopathic recurrent acute pericarditis (IRAP) is defined as the recurrence of pericardial symptoms at any point following the prior cessation of acute pericarditis, and the latency is generally 6 weeks. Manifestations of pericarditis such as pericardial friction rub, electrocardiographic changes, and pericardial effusion are less frequent in the subsequent episodes compared to the index attack, and in some cases the only clinical sign is represented by a suggestive chest pain. Several autoimmune diseases may manifest with pericarditis which is often related to viral infections, while postviral pericarditis may in turn display a nonspecific autoimmune background. Similarly, autoinflammatory syndromes such as familial Mediterranean fever and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome are characterized by self-limiting pericardial symptoms. Corticosteroids are generally effective, thus supporting the autoimmune nature of IRAP, but dramatic results are obtained with interleukin-1 blocking agents in corticosteroid-dependent cases, pointing to a pathogenic role for the inflammasome. Based on these observations, we submit that IRAP represents a paradigmatic example of the putative coexistence of autoimmunity and autoinflammation: the main aim of this review is to critically discuss the hypothesis as well as the current understanding of this enigmatic clinical condition.

The hereditary autoinflammatory disorders uncovered

There is a thriving interest in the field of hereditary autoinflammatory disorders (HAID), a gamut of heterogeneous conditions deriving from an aberrant orchestration of innate immunity, unified by the common feature of seemingly unprovoked inflammation, which might be systemic or occur in localized niches of the organism. Recurrent fever and episodic inflammation in the joints, serosal membranes, skin, gut, and other organs are the common denominator of HAID. Mutations in the inflammasome-related genes have been associated with different HAID, showing the intimate link existing between interleukin-1 (IL-1)-structured inflammasome and their pathogenesis. Differential diagnosis of HAID can be challenging, as there are no universally accepted diagnostic protocols, and near half of patients may remain without any genetic abnormality identified. The use of IL-1-antagonists has been associated with beneficial effects in a large number of HAID associated with excessive IL-1 signalling, such as cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes, familial Mediterranean fever, and deficiency of IL-1 receptor antagonist. This review will discuss about the key-clues of HAID which might guide for an early recognition and drive decisions for treatment.

Untangling the web of systemic autoinflammatory diseases

The innate immune system is involved in the pathophysiology of systemic autoinflammatory diseases (SAIDs), an enlarging group of disorders caused by dysregulated production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α, in which autoreactive T-lymphocytes and autoantibodies are indeed absent. A widely deranged innate immunity leads to overactivity of proinflammatory cytokines and subsequent multisite inflammatory symptoms depicting various conditions, such as hereditary periodic fevers, granulomatous disorders, and pyogenic diseases, collectively described in this review. Further research should enhance our understanding of the genetics behind SAIDs, unearth triggers of inflammatory attacks, and result in improvement for their diagnosis and treatment.

The labyrinth of autoinflammatory disorders: a snapshot on the activity of a third-level center in Italy

Autoinflammatory disorders (AIDs) are a novel class of diseases elicited by mutations in genes regulating the homeostasis of innate immune complexes, named inflammasomes, which lead to uncontrolled oversecretion of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β. Protean inflammatory symptoms are variably associated with periodic fever, depicting multiple specific conditions. Childhood is usually the lifetime in which most hereditary AIDs start, though still a relevant number of patients may experience a delayed disease onset and receive a definite diagnosis during adulthood. As a major referral laboratory for patients with recurrent fevers, we have tested samples from 787 patients in the period September 2007-March 2014, with a total of 1,328 AID-related genes evaluated and a gene/patient ratio of 1.69. In this report, we describe our experience in the clinical approach to AIDs, highlight the most striking differences between child and adult-onset AIDs, and shed an eye-opening insight into their diagnostic process.

Key facts and hot spots on tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS), formerly known as familial Hibernian fever, is the most common autosomal dominant autoinflammatory disease, resulting from mutations in the TNFRSF1A gene, encoding the 55-kD tumor necrosis factor receptor. The pathophysiologic mechanism of TRAPS remains ambiguous and only partially explained. The onset age of the syndrome is variable and the clinical scenery is characterized by recurrent episodes of high-grade fever that typically lasts 1-3 weeks, associated with migrating myalgia, pseudocellulitis, diffuse abdominal pain, appendicitis-like findings, ocular inflammatory signs, and risk of long-term amyloidosis. Fever episodes are responsive to high-dose corticosteroids, but different classes of drugs have been reported to be ineffective. The use of etanercept is unable to control systemic inflammation, while interleukin-1 blockade has been shown as effective in the control of disease activity in many patients reported so far.

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome managed with the couple canakinumab-alendronate

Management of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) is puzzling, and therapeutic choices can be complicated, due to both wide genetic heterogeneity and protean clinical phenotype. We report on a 35-year-old female who was diagnosed with TRAPS, after finding the V95M mutation on the TNFRSF1A gene; who was treated in order with etanercept, anakinra, and canakinumab (150 mg/every 8 weeks by subcutaneous injection, then increased to 150 mg every 4 weeks); and who started therapy with oral alendronate (70 mg/weekly) to control her osteoporosis. Alendronate combined with canakinumab led to the optimal clinical control of all TRAPS manifestations and normalization of inflammatory markers. Further studies should be performed to clarify bisphosphonates' role in the scenery of autoinflammatory disorders.

Monogenic autoinflammatory syndromes: state of the art on genetic, clinical, and therapeutic issues

Monogenic autoinflammatory syndromes (MAISs) are caused by innate immune system dysregulation leading to aberrant inflammasome activation and episodes of fever and involvement of skin, serous membranes, eyes, joints, gastrointestinal tract, and nervous system, predominantly with a childhood onset. To date, there are twelve known MAISs: familial Mediterranean fever, tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome, familial cold urticaria syndrome, Muckle-Wells syndrome, CINCA syndrome, mevalonate kinase deficiency, NLRP12-associated autoinflammatory disorder, Blau syndrome, early-onset sarcoidosis, PAPA syndrome, Majeed syndrome, and deficiency of the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist. Each of these conditions may manifest itself with more or less severe inflammatory symptoms of variable duration and frequency, associated with findings of increased inflammatory parameters in laboratory investigation. The purpose of this paper is to describe the main genetic, clinical, and therapeutic aspects of MAISs and their most recent classification with the ultimate goal of increasing awareness of autoinflammation among various internal medicine specialists.

Working the endless puzzle of hereditary autoinflammatory disorders

Hereditary autoinflammatory disorders encompass manifold dysfunctions of innate immunity caused by mutations in genes coding for the main characters of the inflammatory scene: most of these conditions have an early onset, ranging from the first days of life to the first decades, and include hereditary periodic fevers, NLRP-related diseases, granulomatous and pyogenic syndromes, which are basically characterized by upturned inflammasome activity and overproduction of bioactive interleukin (IL)-1β and other proinflammatory cytokines. The discovery of a causative link between autoinflammation and IL-1β release has improved our understanding of the intimate mechanisms of innate immunity, and has likewise led to the identification of extraordinary treatments for many of these disorders.

From the Mediterranean to the sea of Japan: the transcontinental odyssey of autoinflammatory diseases

Autoinflammatory diseases are comprehensively caused by aberrant production of proinflammatory cytokines and are revealed by cyclically and spontaneously occurring inflammatory events. Over the last decade, there has been a revolution in the understanding of periodic fever syndromes, cryopyrinopathies, and skin disorders with pyogenic, granulomatous, or dystrophic features, which have been recognized across different countries spanning from the Mediterranean basin to the Japanese archipelago. Many children and adults with autoinflammatory diseases continue to elude diagnosis, and the diagnostic delay of many years puts these patients at risk of long-term severe complications, such as amyloidosis. Any hint of suspicion of autoinflammatory disease thus needs to be highlighted in various medical specialties, and this review examines their frequencies around the world, trying to match them with geographic location, ethnic and genetic data, in an attempt to realize a geoepidemiologic map for most of these conditions.

Biological treatments: new weapons in the management of monogenic autoinflammatory disorders

Treatment of monogenic autoinflammatory disorders, an expanding group of hereditary diseases characterized by apparently unprovoked recurrent episodes of inflammation, without high-titre autoantibodies or antigen-specific T cells, has been revolutionized by the discovery that several of these conditions are caused by mutations in proteins involved in the mechanisms of innate immune response, including components of the inflammasome, cytokine receptors, receptor antagonists, and oversecretion of a network of proinflammatory molecules. Aim of this review is to synthesize the current experience and the most recent evidences about the therapeutic approach with biologic drugs in pediatric and adult patients with monogenic autoinflammatory disorders.

Role of autoimmunity and autoinflammation in the pathogenesis of idiopathic recurrent pericarditis

Idiopathic recurrent pericarditis is the most common and troublesome complication of acute pericarditis affecting about one third of such patients. The pericardium may be involved in different systemic autoimmune diseases (i.e., systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, progressive systemic sclerosis, mixed connective tissue disease, Sjogren's Syndrome, polyarteritis, giant cell arteritis, other systemic vasculitides) either in a symptomatic form (usually during the active phase of the disease) or as asymptomatic pericardial effusion. Moreover, idiopathic recurrent pericarditis mimicks hereditary periodic fever syndromes (HPFSs). HPFSs are a group of disorders characterized by primary dysfunction of the innate immune system mostly caused by mutations of genes involved in the regulation or activation of the inflammatory response, without any apparent involvement of antigen-specific T cells or significant production of autoantibodies. These disorders usually manifest in the pediatric population, with onset ranging from the first hours to the first decade of life, however a limited number of patients experience disease onset during adulthood.

Periorbital edema: a puzzle no more?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Periorbital edema is a common problem that deserves scrutiny. Although a variety of healthcare providers may see this clinical entity, ophthalmologists are often consulted along the way toward diagnosis. It can challenge even the most astute clinicians. A diagnosis may reveal merely a bothersome issue or potentially a sight-threatening or life-threatening problem.

RECENT FINDINGS

Comprehensive reviews on this topic are scarce. Textbooks are brief. There are, however, many studies in the scientific literature of notable cases of periorbital edema. The causes generally fall into the categories of infectious, inflammatory or tumors, medication related, and postsurgical or trauma.

SUMMARY

This article synthesizes the current literature on the topic with a case series from our institution. It aims to provide a thorough resource for all practitioners to make the prospect of triaging, diagnosing, and treating periorbital edema less daunting.

Recurrent fevers

An 11-year-old girl had four episodes of fever in a year, lasting 7-10 days and associated with headache and neck stiffness. She had a long history of recurrent urticaria, usually preceding the fevers. There was also a history of vague pains in her knees and in the small joints of her hands. Her serum C-reactive protein was moderately raised at 41 g/L (normal <8). Her rheumatologist felt the association of recurrent fevers that lasted 7 or more days with headaches, arthralgia and recurrent urticaria suggested one of the periodic fever syndromes. Genetic testing confirmed she had a gene mutation consistent with one of tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome.

Clinical and biochemical landmarks in systemic autoinflammatory diseases

Systemic autoinflammatory diseases are a group of inherited disorders of the innate immune system characterized by seemingly unprovoked inflammation recurring at variable intervals and involving skin, serosal membranes, joints, and gastrointestinal apparatus, with reactive amyloidosis as a possible severe long-term complication. Recent advances in genetics and molecular biology have improved our understanding of the pathogenesis of these diseases, including familial Mediterranean fever, mevalonate kinase deficiency syndrome, tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome, cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes, and hereditary pyogenic and granulomatous disorders: the vast majority of these conditions are related to the activation of the interleukin-1 pathway, which results in (or from?) a common unifying pathogenetic mechanism. Their diagnostic identification derives from the combination of clinical data, evaluation of acute phase reactants, clinical efficacy in response to specific drugs, and recognition of specific mutations in the relevant genes, although genetic tests may be unconstructive in some cases. This review will discuss clinical and laboratory clues useful for a diagnostic approach to systemic autoinflammatory diseases.

Successful treatment of a patient with tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome using a half-dose of etanercept

TNF receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) is caused by mutations of TNFRSF1A gene and characterized by recurrent febrile episodes of prolonged duration and initial good response to steroids. Etanercept, a TNF blocker, has been used as a putative molecular-targeted agent for TRAPS, with some patients showing limited efficacy. Here, we report a patient with TRAPS who recovered from steroid dependency by etanercept and kept remission with a reduced dose of etanercept. The pathophysiology of TRAPS still remains to be elucidated and several hypotheses have been proposed. In the most recent hypothesis, the concerted action of wild-type and mutant TNF receptors plays an important role in provoking enhanced inflammation in TRAPS. The excellent response to etanercept in our patient suggested that there is heterogeneity in TRAPS patients in terms of the contribution of normal TNF signaling to autoinflammation.

Setting up TRAPS

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) is a dominantly inherited autoinflammatory disease caused by heterozygous mutations in the TNFRSF1A gene encoding for the TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1). TRAPS is a multi-faceted and heterogeneous disease which commonly manifests as recurrent episodes of high fever accompanied by abdominal pain, pleurisy, migratory rash, and myalgia. Disease attacks occur spontaneously or may be elicited by minor triggers. Because of a vigorous and sustained acute-phase response it may be complicated by systemic AA amyloidosis. Therapeutically interleukin-1 blockade seems even more promising than TNF blockade. Studies on the pathogenesis of TRAPS have shown TNFα-dependent cellular signalling to be defective, an enigmatic finding considering the hyperinflammatory phenotype of the disease. Several studies indicate that most mutated receptors never reach the cell surface but are misfolded and trapped in the endoplasmic reticulum, where they may elicit an intracellular inflammatory response, and thus lead to constitutional expression of proinflammatory cytokines. The aim of this review is to describe the current understanding of the pathogenesis of TRAPS by integrating recent clinical and laboratory data.

Clues to detect tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) among patients with idiopathic recurrent acute pericarditis: results of a multicentre study

BACKGROUND

The potential clinical expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS), in the form of idiopathic recurrent acute pericarditis (IRAP) has not been explored in the medical literature. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of TRAPS mutations in patients with recurrent pericarditis and identify possible clues to TRAPS diagnosis.

METHODS

Therefore, 131 consecutive Caucasian IRAP patients were investigated for mutations of the TRAPS gene and prospectively evaluated.

RESULTS

Out of 131 patients, 8 (6.1%) carried a mutation in the TNFRSF1A gene. Compared with those without genetic mutations, patients with TRAPS mutations had more frequently a positive family history for pericarditis and periodic fever syndromes (p < 0.001), a higher mean number of recurrences after the first year (p < 0.001), on colchicine treatment (p < 0.001), and a higher need of immunosuppressive therapies (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

TRAPS is a cause of recurrent pericarditis in 6% of unselected cases with recurrent pericarditis. A positive family history for pericarditis or periodic fever syndromes, a poor response to colchicine, recurrences after the first year from the index attack or on colchicine treatment, as well as the need of immunosuppressive agents are clues of the possible presence of TNFRSF1A gene mutations in patients with recurrent pericarditis.

The fresco of autoinflammatory diseases from the pediatric perspective

Autoinflammatory diseases are genetic or acquired clinical entities globally caused by the aberrant release of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 and mostly characterized by recurrent spontaneous inflammatory events which do not produce antigen-specific T cells or autoantibodies. Within the past decade, the list of autoinflammatory diseases has included cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes, familial Mediterranean fever, mevalonate kinase deficiency, tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome, hereditary pyogenic disorders, pediatric granulomatous autoinflammatory diseases, idiopathic febrile syndromes, complement dysregulation syndromes and Behçet's disease. Most of these conditions interact with the inflammasomes, intracellular molecular complexes coordinating the phylogenetically ancient response of the innate immune system. The pathogenetic mechanisms of these diseases have shown the evidence of disrupted interleukin-1 signaling for most of them and allowed to locate interleukin-1 as an attractive therapeutic target. The whole fresco of autoinflammatory diseases in pediatrics will be discussed in this review with the aim of establishing both diagnostic clues and treatments for each condition.

Cholesterol: An Inflammatory Compound

Obesity is one of the main rising causes of health problems in modern society and is correlated to type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disease and atherosclerosis. Bacterial products, endogenous substances such as oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) and heat shock proteins mediate activation of Toll-like receptors and reinforce the view that the innate immune system plays a key role in the genesis of atherosclerosis. In addition, natural killer T (NKT) cells respond to lipids presented via CD1d on APCs, and may also be able to affect atherosclerosis. All the main cell types involved in atherosclerosis such as endothelial cells, macrophages, T cells, smooth muscle cells and platelets express proinflammatory cytokines. In addition, CD4 ligation triggers the expression of adhesion molecules, cytokines and matrix metalloprotinease. IL-6 cytokines travels to the liver where it elicits acute phase response resolving in the release of serum amyloid-A C-reactive protein, fibrogen and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. Therefore increasing body fat mass is associated with high levels of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1 and TNF. In this study we revisit the interrelationship between fat and inflammation.

Inflammatory Markers: Serum Amyloid A, Fibrinogen and C-Reactive Protein — A Revisited Study

The acute phase response is the part of the innate defence system of an animal against trauma, inflammation or infection. During this response, there is increased production and release of certain plasma proteins known as acute phase proteins, which include C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA) and fibrinogen (Fg). CRP consists of five identical subunits of 206 amino acids with a molecular weight of approximately 23 kDa. There is strong evidence from numerous studies that CRP is a predictor of inflammation. The acute-phase protein serum amyloid A (SAA) is a clinically useful marker of inflammation. SAA plays not only an important role in the development of AA amyloidosis (an important complication of rheumatoid arthritis) but also interacts with events closely involved in the metabolic syndrome as a high- and low-grade inflammatory modulator. Fibrinogen (Fg) is a high molecular weight plasma adhesion protein and is a biomarker of inflammation. It is synthesized and assembled in hepatocytes and fibroblasts and when secreted into the circulation, its plasma half-life ranges from 3 to 4 days. Several cytokines, are involved in the induction of acute phase protein synthesis, but the mutual importance of these cytokines seems to be cell-type specific and to vary in various experimental settings. Here we revisited the classic acute phase proteins SAA, C-Reactive protein and fibrinogen in their role in inflammation and their interrelationship with some cytokines.

Monogenic autoinflammatory syndromes at a dermatological level

Autoinflammatory syndromes include an expanding list of diseases characterized by unprovoked recurrent attacks of systemic inflammation with lack of autoantibodies or autoreactive T-cells. This group of conditions encompasses monogenic diseases with Mendelian inheritance which are caused by specific mutations of different genes regulating the innate immunity: familial Mediterranean fever, mevalonate kinase deficiency syndrome, tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome, cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes, pyogenic disorders and deficiency of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist: all these diseases can present with dermatological manifestations, which often represent the prominent clinical features or, in some cases, the presenting sign. The purpose of this review is to increase the recognition among clinicians and mostly dermatologists of the monogenic autoinflammatory syndromes, highlighting the cutaneous signs of these conditions, in consideration of the possibility to prevent irreversible damages when their diagnosis and treatment are precociously established.

Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha and Mast Cells: Revisited Study

Mast cells reside in connective tissues and are widely recognized as effector cells important in innate and acquired immunity. These cells are the only ones capable of storing preformed TNFα in their cytoplasmatic granules and release upon activation. TNF-alpha is a potent multifunctional cytokine involved in autoimmune diseases, cancer, allergy, and acute and chronic inflammation. In this study, we revisit the interrelationship between TNFα and mast cells.