Adalimumab-Induced Rhupus Syndrome in a Female Patient Affected with Anti-Citrullinated Protein Antibody (ACPA)-Positive Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): A Case Report and Review of Literature

We report a 38-year-old female patient affected with anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA)-positive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who developed mild hemolytic anemia (Hb = 10.5 vs. >12 gr/dL), indolent oral ulceration, ANA (1:1280, homogeneous pattern), and anti-dsDNA antibody positivity following 8 months of therapy with an adalimumab biosimilar (GP2017). Rhupus syndrome was diagnosed. Replacing GP2017 with infliximab, anemia, oral ulcer, and anti-dsDNA antibodies quickly disappeared, while low-titers (1:80) ANA are still present after more than a year. The possibility that the patient suffered from rhupus rather than drug-induced lupus erythematosus associated to anti-ACPA positivity RA was discussed. To date, after a 14-month follow-up, no manifestations of LE have reappeared. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of adalimumab-induced rhupus.

Nephritis, cerebritis, and myositis after adalimumab therapy in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis: a case report

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that mainly affects the joints, therefore, may cause deformities and disability if untreated. The first line of treatment is disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). When the patient fails to respond to DMARDs, mainly methotrexate, then second-line therapy is required. Tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of RA; however, the treatment with anti-TNFα medications is challenging. It may trigger the autoimmune system and result in producing antibodies that induce symptoms and signs mimic to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and in rare situations can affect vital organs with severe and life-threatening complications. We report on a 38-year-old Saudi woman with longstanding erosive RA, who was diagnosed based on the 1987 classification criteria. She developed life-threatening SLE, and seroconversion of antinuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-double-stranded DNA, with severe systemic involvement (cerebritis, nephritis, myositis, and polyneuropathy), shortly after treatment with adalimumab. Adalimumab was started as anti TNFa therapy (after the failure of traditional therapy), SLE and other autoimmune diseases were ruled out by clinical history, examination, and laboratory investigations, including negative ANAs and anti-double-stranded DNA. When both tests turned out persistently positive even after stopping adalimumab, specific diagnostic and therapeutic modalities were required during her acute illness.

Cutaneous side-effects of biologics in immune-mediated disorders: A histopathological perspective

Advances in understanding molecular mechanisms and targets in immune regulation have led to the widespread use of biologic targeted therapies, and, as such, reformed the course of many disabling diseases. However, with their expanded use, various side-effects, including cutaneous, have emerged. Many times a clear-cut relationship exists between the drug and the clinical manifestations; however, when a biopsy is warranted, various histopathological patterns may be observed and may cause confusion to the dermatopathologist. The aim of this review is to shed light on the different histopathological patterns observed as a manifestation secondary to biologics.

Drug-induced lupus with leukocytoclastic vasculitis: a rare expression associated with adalimumab

TNF alpha antagonist-induced lupus-like syndrome is a rare condition which predominantly affects women (4:1). The average age of onset is 46-51 years. It occurs after exposure to TNF alpha antagonist and disappears after discontinuation of such agents. The pathogenic mechanism for development of the TNF alpha antagonist-induced lupus-like syndrome is not fully defined. It is believed that the medication induces apoptosis, leading to an accumulation of nucleosomal antigens of apoptotic cells. This would cause autoantibodies to be produced by susceptible individuals. The most common cutaneous manifestations include maculopapular exanthem, malar rash, alopecia, photosensitivity and, more rarely, vasculitis. Extracutaneous manifestations include: fever, weight loss, arthritis or arthralgia, myositis and hematological abnormalities. Antinuclear antibody may be positive in 80% of cases and anti-histone antibody is considered a disease marker for TNF alpha antagonist-induced lupus-like syndrome. Treatment corresponds to drug discontinuation. We report a rare case of sub-acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus with leukocytoclastic vasculitis induced by adalimumab in a 42-year-old patient.

Diagnosis and classification of drug-induced autoimmunity (DIA)

Since sulfadiazine associated lupus-like symptoms were first described in 1945, certain drugs have been reported to interfere with the immune system and induce a series of autoimmune diseases (named drug-induced autoimmunity, DIA), exemplified by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Among the drugs, procainamide and hydralazine are considered to be associated with the highest risk for developing lupus, while quinidine has a moderate risk, and all other drugs have low or very low risk. More recently, drug-induced lupus has been associated with the use of newer biological modulators, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha inhibitors and cytokines. In addition to lupus, other major autoimmune diseases, including vasculitis and arthritis, have also been associated with drugs. Because resolution of symptoms generally occurs after cessation of the offending drugs, early diagnosis is crucial for treatment strategy and improvement of prognosis. Unfortunately, it is difficult to establish standardized criteria for DIA diagnosis. Diagnosis of DIA requires identification of a temporal relationship between drug administration and the onset of symptoms, but the relative risk with respect to dose and duration for each drug has rarely been determined. DIA is affected by multiple genetic and environmental factors, leading to difficulties in establishing a list of global clinical features that are characteristic of most or all DIA patients. Moreover, the distinction between authentic DIA and unmasking of a latent autoimmune disease also poses challenges. In this review, we summarize the highly variable clinical features and laboratory findings of DIA, with an emphasis on the diagnostic criteria.

Cutaneous reactions to novel therapeutics

In the last 2 decades the introduction new biologic agents such as tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors has resulted in potent disease modifying effects in a variety of immune-mediated diseases. In addition, there were major advancements in cancer treatment due to chemotherapeutic agents including granulocyte macrophage-colony-stimulating factor, interferon, epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors, and kinase inhibitors for the treatment of hematologic malignancies as well as solid tumors. However, a variety of toxicities including cutaneous reactions is seen in association with these agents. Awareness of commonly associated skin toxicities and recognition of corresponding histologic features is of importance.

Inflammatory bowel disease and lupus: a systematic review of the literature

Coexistence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) should be considered in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and complex extraintestinal manifestations and the diagnosis of IBD could be established either before or after the diagnosis of SLE. Differential diagnosis of concomitant SLE and IBD is difficult and should always exclude infectious conditions, lupus-like reactions, visceral vasculitis and drug-induced lupus. The underlying mechanism by which 5-ASA/sulphasalazine induces SLE or lupus-like syndromes is not clear and high awareness for possible predictive factors is demanded for early prevention. In most cases the symptoms from drug-induced lupus have been reversible after the discontinuation of the drug and response to steroids is favorable. Treatment of patients co-diagnosed with SLE and IBD may include corticosteroids, immunosupressants and hydroxychloroquine. In severe lupus and IBD patients cyclophosphamide pulse may be of benefit while infliximab may be beneficiary in patients with lupus nephritis. However, the role TNFalpha plays in humans with SLE and IBD is controversial and data on the likely effects of blocking TNFalpha on anti-DNA autoantibody production is always of interest.

Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus and its association with drugs: a population-based matched case-control study of 234 patients in Sweden

BACKGROUND

Numerous case reports about drug-induced (DI) subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) have been published. Various drug types with different latencies has been proposed as triggers for this autoimmune skin disease.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the association between exposure to certain suspected drugs (previously implicated to induce SCLE) and a subsequent diagnosis of SCLE.

METHODS

We performed a population-based matched case-control study in which all incident cases of SCLE (n=34) from 2006 to 2009 were derived from the National Patient Register. The control group was selected from the general population, matched (1:10) for gender, age and county of residence. The data were linked to the Prescribed Drug Register. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for the association between exposures to certain suspected drugs and the development of SCLE.

RESULTS

During the 6 months preceding SCLE diagnosis, 166 (71%) of the patients with SCLE had at least one filled prescription of the suspected drugs. The most increased ORs were found for terbinafine (OR 52.9, 95% CI 6.6-∞), tumour necrosis factor-α inhibitors (OR 8.0, 95% CI 1.6-37.2), antiepileptics (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.9-5.8) and proton pump inhibitors (OR 2.9, 95% CI 2.0-4.0).

CONCLUSIONS

We found an association between drug exposure and SCLE. More than one third of the SCLE cases could be attributed to drug exposure. No significant OR was found for thiazides, which might be due to longer latency and therefore missed with this study design. DI-SCLE is reversible once the drug is discontinued, indicating the importance of screening patients with SCLE for potentially triggering drugs. A causal relationship cannot be established from this study and the underlying pathogenesis remains unclear.

Coexistence of Crohn's disease in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

The concurrence of inflammatory bowel disease with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is rare. The concomitant diagnosis of Crohn's disease and SLE is even more rare. The patient, a 40-year-old woman, was admitted to our hospital because of relapsing episodes of abdominal pain, diarrheas upper and lower extremities arthralgias, Raynaud's phenomenon with positive antinuclear antibodies, and fever for the last 2 years. The patient was diagnosed elsewhere with SLE and treated with hydroxychloroquine. Her medical history also included tonsillectomy and total hip replacement after a car accident. Family history was unremarkable. Physical examination was unremarkable except of very mild pain at lower left abdominal quadrant. Laboratory tests showed erythrocyte sedimentation rate at 32 mm/h, C-reactive protein at 36 mg/dl, positive rheumatoid factor, and increased C3, C4, positive antinuclear antibodies with the presence of anti-Sm and anti-RNP antibodies. Ileocolonoscopy revealed colonic inflammation with ulcers and pseudopolyps. Subsequent biopsies were diagnostic of Crohn's disease. Patient was diagnosed with Crohn's colitis concomitant to systemic lupus erythematosus and was started on therapy with azathioprine 2 mg/Kg, methylprednisolone 16 mg/d with slow tapering, mesalazine 1.5 g/day, and hydroxychloroquine. Patient is in excellent health status on the six-month follow-up.

Tumor necrosis factor biologics beyond psoriasis in dermatology

INTRODUCTION

TNF-α is a cytokine essential for immune response and its receptors has been shown to be dysregulated in a variety of diseases including psoriasis vulgaris. There are a number of TNF-α inhibitors approved for psoriasis, however there is a growing body of literature supporting their use in a wide variety of dermatological conditions.

AREAS COVERED

The use of biologic TNF-α antagonists in conditions for which they have not yet been approved by the FDA ('off-label' uses) and the literature that supports the most appropriate agents and conditions for use. A PubMed/MEDLINE search was performed with the keywords 'TNFα antagonist', 'biologic therapy', 'off-label' and 'unapproved'. The list of references and citing articles of the articles retrieved were also used as sources. This complete list was evaluated for inclusion, based on relevance to the proposed goal of this review.

EXPERT OPINION

There are a large number of conditions for which biologic antagonists of TNFα are effective, beyond those already approved by the FDA. The various agents vary in their efficacy in treatment, with infliximab consistently the most effective, particularly in granulomatous diseases. Although effectiveness varies among these conditions, biologic antagonists of TNF-α are promising for the treatment of these diseases.

Episcleritis Related to Drug-Induced Lupus Erythematosus following Infliximab Therapy: A Case Report

Drug-induced lupus erythematosus is defined as a lupus-like syndrome temporally related to continuous drug exposure which resolves after discontinuation of the offending drug. Herein, we describe a patient with distinct clinical manifestations of anti-TNF-associated DILE related to infliximab therapy. The patient exhibited clinical and laboratory findings of lupus-like illnesses as well as ocular disorders, such as episcleritis. The main message is that the symptoms of DILE should not be overlooked, although sometimes other systematic conditions may underlie them. As a result, it is very important for the clinicians to evaluate the symptoms of DILE and manage appropriately these cases.

Drug-induced subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus

Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) is a subset of cutaneous lupus erythematosus with unique immunologic and clinical features. The first description dates back to 1985 when a series of five patients were found to have hydrochlorothiazide-induced SCLE. Since that time, at least 40 other drugs have been implicated in the induction of SCLE.

Anti-TNF-α agents in the treatment of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases: mechanisms of action and pitfalls

TNF-α is a potent inducer of the inflammatory response, a key regulator of innate immunity and plays an important role in the regulation of Th1 immune responses against intracellular bacteria and certain viral infections. However, dysregulated TNF can also contribute to numerous pathological situations. These include immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) including rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, ulcerative colitis and severe chronic plaque psoriasis. Animal and human studies concerning the role of TNF-α in IMIDs have led to the development of a therapy based on TNF blockage. This article focuses first on the potential mechanisms by which the three currently licensed agents, adalimumab, etarnecept and infliximab, decrease the inflammatory activity of patients with different IMIDs. Second, it focuses on the risks, precautions and complications of the use of TNF-α inhibitors in these patients.