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Bensalem A, Cartron G, Specks U, Mulleman D, Gyan E, Cornec D, Desvignes C, Casasnovas O, Lamy T, Leprêtre S, Paintaud G, Ternant D. The Influence of Underlying Disease on Rituximab Pharmacokinetics May be Explained by Target-Mediated Drug Disposition. Clin Pharmacokinet 2021; 61:423-437. [PMID: 34773607 DOI: 10.1007/s40262-021-01081-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Rituximab is an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody approved in several diseases, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), follicular lymphoma (FL), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV). The influence of underlying disease on rituximab pharmacokinetics has never been investigated for several cancer and non-cancer diseases simultaneously. This study aimed at assessing this influence using an integrated semi-mechanistic model accounting for target-mediated elimination of rituximab. METHODS Rituximab concentration-time data from five studies previously published in patients with CLL, DLBCL, FL, RA, and AAV were described using a two-compartment model with irreversible binding of rituximab to its target antigen. Both underlying disease and target antigen measurements were assessed as covariates. RESULTS Central volume of distribution was [95% confidence interval] 1.7-fold [1.6-1.9] higher in DLBCL than in RA, FL, and CLL, and it was 1.8-fold [1.6-2.1] higher in RA, FL, and CLL than in AAV. First-order elimination rate constants were 1.8-fold [1.7-2.0] and 1.3-fold [1.2-1.5] higher in RA, DLBCL, and FL than in CLL and AAV, respectively. Baseline latent antigen level (L0) was 54-fold [30-94], 20-fold [11-36], and 29-fold [14-64] higher in CLL, DLBCL, and FL, respectively, than in RA and AAV. In lymphoma, L0 increased with baseline total metabolic tumor volume (p = 6.10-7). In CLL, the second-order target-mediated elimination rate constant (kdeg) increased with baseline CD20 count on circulating B cells (CD20cir, p = 0.0081). CONCLUSIONS Our results show for the first time that rituximab pharmacokinetics is strongly influenced by underlying disease and disease activity. Notably, neoplasms are associated with higher antigen amounts that result in decreased exposure to rituximab compared to inflammatory diseases. Our model might be used to estimate unbound target amounts in upcoming studies.
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MESH Headings
- Antigens, CD20/metabolism
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy
- Humans
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/metabolism
- Lymphoma, Follicular/drug therapy
- Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/drug therapy
- Rituximab/pharmacokinetics
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Guillaume Cartron
- CNRS UMR 5235, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Department of Hematology, CHRU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Ulrich Specks
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Denis Mulleman
- Université de Tours, EA 7501 GICC, Tours, France
- Department of Rheumatology, CHRU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Emmanuel Gyan
- Department of Hematology and Cell Therapy, Clinical Investigations Center INSERM U1415, CHU Tours, Tours, France
| | - Divi Cornec
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Rheumatology Department, Brest University Hospital, and INSERM U1227, Brest, France
| | - Celine Desvignes
- Université de Tours, EA 4245 T2I, Tours, France
- Service de Pharmacologie Médicale, CHU Bretonneau, 2 Boulevard Tonnellé, 37044, Tours, France
| | - Olivier Casasnovas
- Department of Clinical Hematology, CHU Dijon, Dijon, France
- INSERM Lipids, Nutrition, Cancer (LNC) UMR 866, Dijon, France
| | - Thierry Lamy
- Department of Clinical Hematology, CHU Rennes, U917, Rennes, France
| | | | - Gilles Paintaud
- Université de Tours, EA 4245 T2I, Tours, France
- Service de Pharmacologie Médicale, CHU Bretonneau, 2 Boulevard Tonnellé, 37044, Tours, France
| | - David Ternant
- Université de Tours, EA 4245 T2I, Tours, France.
- Service de Pharmacologie Médicale, CHU Bretonneau, 2 Boulevard Tonnellé, 37044, Tours, France.
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2
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Bensalem A, Mulleman D, Paintaud G, Azzopardi N, Gouilleux-Gruart V, Cornec D, Specks U, Ternant D. Non-Linear Rituximab Pharmacokinetics and Complex Relationship between Rituximab Concentrations and Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies (ANCA) in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis: The RAVE Trial Revisited. Clin Pharmacokinet 2021; 59:519-530. [PMID: 31586310 DOI: 10.1007/s40262-019-00826-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Rituximab is approved in patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) and leads to a decrease of ANCA levels. The objectives of this study were to investigate the non-linear pharmacokinetics of rituximab and the relationship between its concentrations and ANCA levels in AAV patients. METHODS Ninety-two AAV patients from the RAVE (Rituximab in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis) trial were assessed. Both ANCA anti-myeloperoxidase (MPO-ANCA) and anti-proteinase 3 (PR3-ANCA) levels were used as biomarkers. The pharmacokinetics of rituximab were described using a semi-mechanistic two-compartment model that included a latent target antigen turnover and allowed the estimation of specific target-mediated elimination in addition to its non-specific elimination of rituximab. The effect of rituximab on the ANCA level was described using a semi-mechanistic compartment model with a negative feedback (Friberg) model with no transit compartment. A population modeling approach was used. RESULTS Our pharmacokinetic and pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) models satisfactorily described both concentration-time and concentration-effect relationship data. The mean (inter-individual standard deviation) estimated non-specific clearance was 0.15 L/day (0.30%) and the target-mediated elimination rate constant was 2.4 × 10-5 nmol/day. The elimination half-lives for MPO-ANCA and PR3-ANCA were 24 and 18 days, respectively. CONCLUSIONS A non-linear target-mediated elimination of rituximab was detected in AAV patients. Our PK-PD model allowed quantification of the association between rituximab concentrations and ANCA levels. This decrease was deep but delayed, and more sustained in patients with MPO-ANCA than in those with PR3-ANCA. Our results suggest that repeating courses of rituximab might improve the clinical response to rituximab.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Denis Mulleman
- Université de Tours, EA 7501 GICC, Tours, France.,Department of Rheumatology, CHRU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Gilles Paintaud
- Université de Tours, EA 7501 GICC, Tours, France.,Department of Medical Pharmacology, CHRU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Nicolas Azzopardi
- Université de Tours, EA 7501 GICC, Tours, France.,CNRS, ERL 7001, Tours, France
| | - Valérie Gouilleux-Gruart
- Université de Tours, EA 7501 GICC, Tours, France.,Laboratory of Immunology, CHRU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Divi Cornec
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.,Rheumatology Department, Brest University Hospital, Brest, France.,INSERM U1227, Brest, France
| | - Ulrich Specks
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - David Ternant
- Université de Tours, EA 7501 GICC, Tours, France. .,Department of Medical Pharmacology, CHRU de Tours, Tours, France. .,Laboratoire de Pharmacologie-toxicologie, CHRU de Tours, 2 Boulevard Tonnellé, 37044, Tours Cedex, France.
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Casal Moura M, Irazabal MV, Eirin A, Zand L, Sethi S, Borah BJ, Winters JL, Moriarty JP, Cartin-Ceba R, Berti A, Baqir M, Thompson GE, Makol A, Warrington KJ, Thao V, Specks U, Fervenza FC. Efficacy of Rituximab and Plasma Exchange in Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis with Severe Kidney Disease. J Am Soc Nephrol 2020; 31:2688-2704. [PMID: 32826324 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2019111197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treatment of patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) and severe renal involvement is not established. We describe outcomes in response to rituximab (RTX) versus cyclophosphamide (CYC) and plasma exchange (PLEX). METHODS A retrospective cohort study of MPO- or PR3-ANCA-positive patients with AAV (MPA and GPA) and severe kidney disease (eGFR <30 ml/min per 1.73 m2). Remission, relapse, ESKD and death after remission-induction with CYC or RTX, with or without the use of PLEX, were compared. RESULTS Of 467 patients with active renal involvement, 251 had severe kidney disease. Patients received CYC (n=161) or RTX (n=64) for remission-induction, and 51 were also treated with PLEX. Predictors for ESKD and/or death at 18 months were eGFR <15 ml/min per 1.73 m2 at diagnosis (IRR 3.09 [95% CI 1.49 to 6.40], P=0.002), renal recovery (IRR 0.27 [95% CI 0.12 to 0.64], P=0.003) and renal remission at 6 months (IRR 0.40 [95% CI 0.18 to 0.90], P=0.027). RTX was comparable to CYC in remission-induction (BVAS/WG=0) at 6 months (IRR 1.37 [95% CI 0.91 to 2.08], P=0.132). Addition of PLEX showed no benefit on remission-induction at 6 months (IRR 0.73 [95% CI 0.44 to 1.22], P=0.230), the rate of ESKD and/or death at 18 months (IRR 1.05 [95% CI 0.51 to 2.18], P=0.891), progression to ESKD (IRR 1.06 [95% CI 0.50 to 2.25], P=0.887), and survival at 24 months (IRR 0.54 [95% CI 0.16 to 1.85], P=0.330). CONCLUSIONS The apparent benefits and risks of using CYC or RTX for the treatment of patients with AAV and severe kidney disease are balanced. The addition of PLEX to standard remission-induction therapy showed no benefit in our cohort. A randomized controlled trial is the only satisfactory means to evaluate efficacy of remission-induction treatments in AAV with severe renal involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Casal Moura
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Maria V Irazabal
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Alfonso Eirin
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Ladan Zand
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Sanjeev Sethi
- Division of Anatomic Pathology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Bijan J Borah
- Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.,Division of Health Care Policy and Research, Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Jeffrey L Winters
- Division of Transfusion Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - James P Moriarty
- Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.,Division of Health Care Policy and Research, Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Rodrigo Cartin-Ceba
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Alvise Berti
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Misbah Baqir
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Gwen E Thompson
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Ashima Makol
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Kenneth J Warrington
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Viengneesee Thao
- Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.,Division of Health Care Policy and Research, Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Ulrich Specks
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Fernando C Fervenza
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota
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4
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Renal vasculitis presents as rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis and comprises of a group of conditions characterised by acute kidney injury (AKI), haematuria and proteinuria. Treatment of these conditions involve the use of steroid and non-steroid agents in combination with plasma exchange. Although immunosuppression overall has been very successful in treatment of these conditions, many questions remain unanswered in terms of dose and duration of therapy, the use of plasma exchange and the role of new therapies. This 2019 publication is an update of a review first published in 2008 and updated in 2015. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the benefits and harms of any intervention used for the treatment of renal vasculitis in adults. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Kidney and Transplant Register of Studies up to 21 November 2019 through contact with the Information Specialist using search terms relevant to this review. Studies in the Register are identified through searches of CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE, conference proceedings, the International Clinical Trials Register (ICTRP) Search Portal and ClinicalTrials.gov. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised controlled trials investigating any intervention for the treatment of renal vasculitis in adults. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two authors independently assessed study quality and extracted data. Statistical analyses were performed using a random effects model and results expressed as risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for dichotomous outcomes or mean difference (MD) for continuous outcomes. MAIN RESULTS Forty studies (3764 patients) were included. Studies conducted earlier tended to have a higher risk of bias due to poor (or poorly reported) study design, broad inclusion criteria, less well developed disease definitions and low patient numbers. Later studies tend to have improved in all areas of quality, aided by the development of large international study groups. Induction therapy: Plasma exchange as adjunctive therapy may reduce the need for dialysis at three (2 studies: RR 0.43, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.78; I2 = 0%) and 12 months (6 studies: RR 0.45, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.72; I2 = 0%) (low certainty evidence). Plasma exchange may make little or no difference to death, serum creatinine (SCr), sustained remission or to serious or the total number of adverse events. Plasma exchange may increase the number of serious infections (5 studies: RR 1.26, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.54; I2 = 0%; low certainty evidence). Remission rates for pulse versus continuous cyclophosphamide (CPA) were equivalent but pulse treatment may increase the risk of relapse (4 studies: RR 1.79, 95% CI 1.11 to 2.87; I2 = 0%) (low certainty evidence) compared with continuous cyclophosphamide. Pulse CPA may make little or no difference to death at final follow-up, or SCr at any time point. More patients required dialysis in the pulse CPA group. Leukopenia was less common with pulse treatment; however, nausea was more common. Rituximab compared to CPA probably makes little or no difference to death, remission, relapse, severe adverse events, serious infections, or severe adverse events. Kidney function and dialysis were not reported. A single study reported no difference in the number of deaths, need for dialysis, or adverse events between mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and CPA. Remission was reported to improve with MMF however more patients relapsed. A lower dose of steroids was probably as effective as high dose and may be safer, causing fewer infections; kidney function and relapse were not reported. There was little of no difference in death or remission between six and 12 pulses of CPA. There is low certainty evidence that there were less relapses with 12 pulses (2 studies: RR 1.57, 95% CI 0.96 to 2.56; I2 = 0%), but more infections (2 studies: RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.36 to 1.72; I2 = 45%). One study reported severe adverse events were less in patients receiving six compared to 12 pulses of CPA. Kidney function and dialysis were not reported. There is limited evidence from single studies about the effectiveness of intravenous immunoglobulin, avacopan, methotrexate, immunoadsorption, lymphocytapheresis, or etanercept. Maintenance therapy: Azathioprine (AZA) has equivalent efficacy as a maintenance agent to CPA with fewer episodes of leucopenia. MMF resulted in a higher relapse rate when tested against azathioprine in remission maintenance. Rituximab is an effective remission induction and maintenance agent. Oral co-trimoxazole did not reduce relapses in granulomatosis with polyangiitis. There were fewer relapses but more serious adverse events with leflunomide compared to methotrexate. There is limited evidence from single studies about the effectiveness of methotrexate versus CPA or AZA, cyclosporin versus CPA, extended versus standard AZA, and belimumab. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Plasma exchange was effective in patients with severe AKI secondary to vasculitis. Pulse cyclophosphamide may result in an increased risk of relapse when compared to continuous oral use but a reduced total dose. Whilst CPA is standard induction treatment, rituximab and MMF were also effective. AZA, methotrexate and leflunomide were effective as maintenance therapy. Further studies are required to more clearly delineate the appropriate place of newer agents within an evidence-based therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giles D Walters
- The Canberra HospitalDepartment of Renal MedicineYamba DriveCanberraACTAustralia2605
| | - Narelle S Willis
- The University of SydneySydney School of Public HealthSydneyNSWAustralia2006
- The Children's Hospital at WestmeadCochrane Kidney and Transplant, Centre for Kidney ResearchLocked Bag 4001WestmeadNSWAustralia2145
| | - Tess E Cooper
- The Children's Hospital at WestmeadCochrane Kidney and Transplant, Centre for Kidney ResearchLocked Bag 4001WestmeadNSWAustralia2145
| | - Jonathan C Craig
- The Children's Hospital at WestmeadCochrane Kidney and Transplant, Centre for Kidney ResearchLocked Bag 4001WestmeadNSWAustralia2145
- Flinders UniversityCollege of Medicine and Public HealthAdelaideSAAustralia5001
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5
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Miloslavsky EM, Lu N, Unizony S, Choi HK, Merkel PA, Seo P, Spiera R, Langford CA, Hoffman GS, Kallenberg CGM, St Clair EW, Tchao NK, Fervenza F, Monach PA, Specks U, Stone JH. Myeloperoxidase-Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (ANCA)-Positive and ANCA-Negative Patients With Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis (Wegener's): Distinct Patient Subsets. Arthritis Rheumatol 2017; 68:2945-2952. [PMID: 27428559 DOI: 10.1002/art.39812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 07/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) type and ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) diagnosis with demographic features, disease manifestations, and clinical outcomes. We focused on patients who account for the differences between ANCA type and disease type classifications: anti-myeloperoxidase (MPO)-ANCA-positive and ANCA-negative patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's) (GPA). METHODS We performed a pooled analysis of the Wegener's Granulomatosis Etanercept Trial and the Rituximab in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis trial comparing patients with MPO-ANCA-positive GPA and patients with ANCA-negative GPA to patients with proteinase 3 (PR3)-ANCA-positive GPA and patients with MPO-ANCA-positive microscopic polyangiitis (MPA). RESULTS Of the 365 patients analyzed, 273 (75%) had PR3-ANCA-positive GPA, 33 (9%) had MPO-ANCA-positive GPA, 15 (4%) had ANCA-negative GPA, and 44 (12%) had MPO-ANCA-positive MPA. MPO-ANCA-positive GPA patients were younger at diagnosis compared to MPO-ANCA-positive MPA patients (53 versus 61 years; P = 0.02). Their disease manifestations and rates of relapse were similar to those of PR3-ANCA-positive GPA patients. Relapse was more frequent in MPO-ANCA-positive GPA patients than in patients with MPO-ANCA-positive MPA at trial entry as well as at 12 and 18 months. ANCA-negative patients with GPA had lower Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score for Wegener's Granulomatosis scores at trial entry than PR3-ANCA-positive patients with GPA (4.5 versus 7.7; P < 0.01), primarily because of a lower prevalence of renal involvement. CONCLUSION We were unable to demonstrate important clinical differences between MPO-ANCA-positive and PR3-ANCA-positive patients with GPA. The risk of relapse was associated more closely with disease type than with ANCA type in this patient cohort. These findings deserve consideration in the assessment of relapse risk in patients with AAV.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Na Lu
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | | | | | | | - Philip Seo
- Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Nadia K Tchao
- Immune Tolerance Network, South San Francisco, California
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6
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Clain JM, Hummel AM, Stone JH, Fervenza FC, Hoffman GS, Kallenberg CGM, Langford CA, McCune WJ, Merkel PA, Monach PA, Seo P, Spiera RF, St Clair EW, Ytterberg SR, Specks U. Immunoglobulin (Ig)M antibodies to proteinase 3 in granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis. Clin Exp Immunol 2017; 188:174-181. [PMID: 28076879 DOI: 10.1111/cei.12925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) appear to play an important role in the pathogenesis of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). However, ANCA alone are not sufficient to generate disease, and some evidence suggests that infectious triggers may serve as inciting events for AAV disease activity. Antibodies of the immunoglobulin (Ig)M isotype often serve as markers of recent infection, and IgM ANCA have been identified previously in patients with AAV, although the frequency and clinical relevance of IgM ANCA is not well established. We sought to characterize IgM ANCA more clearly by creating a novel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for IgM antibodies to proteinase 3 [IgM proteinase 3 (PR3)-ANCA], which we applied to two large, clinically well-characterized trial cohorts of patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis. In the first cohort, IgM PR3-ANCA occurred with a frequency of 15·0%, and were associated with a higher degree of disease severity and a trend towards a higher rate of alveolar haemorrhage (29·6 versus 15·7%, P = 0·10). Analysis of follow-up samples in this cohort showed that the presence of IgM PR3-ANCA was transient, but could recur. In the second cohort, IgM PR3-ANCA occurred with a frequency of 41·1%, and were also associated with a higher degree of disease severity. A higher rate of alveolar haemorrhage was observed among those with IgM PR3-ANCA (45·3 versus 15·8%; P < 0·001). The association of transient IgM PR3-ANCA with an acute respiratory manifestation of AAV suggests a possible link between an infectious trigger and AAV disease activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Clain
- Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - A M Hummel
- Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - J H Stone
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - G S Hoffman
- Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | | | | | - W J McCune
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - P A Merkel
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - P A Monach
- Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - P Seo
- Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - R F Spiera
- Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | - U Specks
- Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, MN, USA
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7
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Unizony S, Villarreal M, Miloslavsky EM, Lu N, Merkel PA, Spiera R, Seo P, Langford CA, Hoffman GS, Kallenberg CM, St Clair EW, Ikle D, Tchao NK, Ding L, Brunetta P, Choi HK, Monach PA, Fervenza F, Stone JH, Specks U. Clinical outcomes of treatment of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis based on ANCA type. Ann Rheum Dis 2015; 75:1166-9. [PMID: 26621483 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2015-208073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2015] [Accepted: 11/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether the classification of patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) according to ANCA type (anti-proteinase 3 (PR3) or anti-myeloperoxidase (MPO) antibodies) predicts treatment response. METHODS Treatment responses were assessed among patients enrolled in the Rituximab in ANCA-associated Vasculitis trial according to both AAV diagnosis (granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA)/microscopic polyangiitis (MPA)) and ANCA type (PR3-AAV/MPO-AAV). Complete remission (CR) was defined as disease activity score of 0 and successful completion of the prednisone taper. RESULTS PR3-AAV patients treated with rituximab (RTX) achieved CR at 6 months more frequently than did those randomised to cyclophosphamide (CYC)/azathioprine (AZA) (65% vs 48%; p=0.04). The OR for CR at 6 months among PR3-AAV patients treated with RTX as opposed to CYC/AZA was 2.11 (95% CI 1.04 to 4.30) in analyses adjusted for age, sex and new-onset versus relapsing disease at baseline. PR3-AAV patients with relapsing disease achieved CR more often following RTX treatment at 6 months (OR 3.57; 95% CI 1.43 to 8.93), 12 months (OR 4.32; 95% CI 1.53 to 12.15) and 18 months (OR 3.06; 95% CI 1.05 to 8.97). No association between treatment and CR was observed in the MPO-AAV patient subset or in groups divided according to AAV diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS Patients with PR3-AAV respond better to RTX than to CYC/AZA. An ANCA type-based classification may guide immunosuppression in AAV. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT00104299; post-results.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Na Lu
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Peter A Merkel
- University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Robert Spiera
- Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, USA
| | - Philip Seo
- Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | - Cg M Kallenberg
- University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Nadia K Tchao
- Immune Tolerance Network, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Linna Ding
- National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Disease/Division of Allergy, Immunology, & Transplantation (NIAID/DAIT), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Hyon K Choi
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Paul A Monach
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - John H Stone
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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8
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Renal vasculitis presents as rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis which comprises of a group of conditions characterised by acute kidney injury (AKI), haematuria and proteinuria. Treatment of these conditions comprises steroid and non-steroid agents in combination with plasma exchange. Although immunosuppression overall has been very successful in treatment of these conditions, many questions remain unanswered in terms of dose and duration of therapy, the use of plasma exchange and the role of new therapies. This an update of a review first published in 2008. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the benefits and harms of any intervention used for the treatment of renal vasculitis in adults. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Kidney and Transplant Specialised Register up to 27 July 2015 through contact with the Trials' Search Co-ordinator using search terms relevant to this review. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised controlled trials investigating any intervention for the treatment of renal vasculitis in adults. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two authors independently assessed study quality and extracted data. Statistical analyses were performed using a random effects model and results expressed as risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for dichotomous outcomes or mean difference (MD) for continuous outcomes. MAIN RESULTS Thirty one studies (2217 patients) were included. Studies conducted earlier tended to have a higher risk of bias due to poor (or poorly reported) study design, broad inclusion criteria, less well developed disease definitions and low patient numbers. Later studies tend to have improved in all areas of quality, aided by the development of large transnational study groups.Plasma exchange as adjunctive therapy significantly reduces the risk of end-stage kidney disease at three months (2 studies: RR 0.43, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.78) and 12 months (6 studies: RR 0.45, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.72). Four studies (300 patients) compared the use of pulse and continuous administration of cyclophosphamide. Remission rates were equivalent but pulse treatment causes an increased risk of relapse (4 studies: RR 1.79, 95% CI 1.11 to 2.87) compared with continuous cyclophosphamide. Azathioprine has equivalent efficacy as a maintenance agent to cyclophosphamide with fewer episodes of leucopenia. Mycophenolate mofetil may be equivalent to cyclophosphamide as an induction agent but resulted in a higher relapse rate when tested against azathioprine in remission maintenance. Rituximab is an effective remission induction agent. Methotrexate or leflunomide are potential choices in remission maintenance therapy. Oral co-trimoxazole did not reduce relapses significantly in granulomatosis with polyangiitis. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Plasma exchange was effective in patients with severe AKI secondary to vasculitis. Pulse cyclophosphamide results in an increased risk of relapse when compared to continuous oral use but a reduced total dose. Whilst cyclophosphamide is standard induction treatment, rituximab and mycophenolate mofetil were also effective. Azathioprine, methotrexate and leflunomide were effective as maintenance therapy. Further studies are required to more clearly delineate the appropriate place of newer agents within an evidence-based therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giles Walters
- Department of Renal Medicine, The Canberra Hospital, Yamba Drive, Garran, ACT, Australia, 2605
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Nasrallah M, Pouliot Y, Hartmann B, Dunn P, Thomson E, Wiser J, Butte AJ. Reanalysis of the Rituximab in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis trial identifies granulocyte subsets as a novel early marker of successful treatment. Arthritis Res Ther 2015; 17:262. [PMID: 26387933 PMCID: PMC4576403 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-015-0778-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2015] [Accepted: 09/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction In the present study, we sought to identify markers in patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) that distinguish those achieving remission at 6 months following rituximab or cyclophosphamide treatment from those for whom treatment failed in the Rituximab in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis (RAVE) trial. Methods Clinical and flow cytometry data from the RAVE trial were downloaded from the Immunology Database and Analysis Portal and Immune Tolerance Network TrialShare public repositories. Flow cytometry data were analyzed using validated automated gating and joined with clinical data. Lymphocyte and granulocyte populations were measured in patients who achieved or failed to achieve remission. Results There was no difference in lymphocyte subsets and treatment outcome with either treatment. We defined a Granularity Index (GI) that measures the difference between the percentage of hypergranular and hypogranular granulocytes. We found that rituximab-treated patients who achieved remission had a significantly higher GI at baseline than those who did not (p = 0.0085) and that this pattern was reversed in cyclophosphamide-treated patients (p = 0.037). We defined optimal cutoff values of the GI using the Youden index. Cyclophosphamide was superior to rituximab in inducing remission in patients with GI below −9.25 % (67 % vs. 30 %, respectively; p = 0.033), whereas rituximab was superior to cyclophosphamide for patients with GI greater than 47.6 % (83 % vs. 33 %, respectively; p = 0.0002). Conclusions We identified distinct subsets of granulocytes found at baseline in patients with AAV that predicted whether they were more likely to achieve remission with cyclophosphamide or rituximab. Profiling patients on the basis of the GI may lead to more successful trials and therapeutic courses in AAV. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (for original study from which data were obtained): NCT00104299. Date of registration: 24 February 2005. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13075-015-0778-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mazen Nasrallah
- Institute for Computational Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, Box 0110, Mission Hall 4733, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA. .,Department of Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA. .,Division of Systems Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA. .,Division of Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
| | - Yannick Pouliot
- Division of Systems Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
| | - Bjoern Hartmann
- Division of Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
| | - Patrick Dunn
- Northrop Grumman Information Systems Health IT, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA.
| | - Elizabeth Thomson
- Northrop Grumman Information Systems Health IT, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA.
| | - Jeffrey Wiser
- Northrop Grumman Information Systems Health IT, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA.
| | - Atul J Butte
- Institute for Computational Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, Box 0110, Mission Hall 4733, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA.
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Miloslavsky EM, Specks U, Merkel PA, Seo P, Spiera R, Langford CA, Hoffman GS, Kallenberg CGM, St Clair EW, Tchao NK, Ding L, Iklé D, Villareal M, Lim N, Brunetta P, Fervenza FC, Monach PA, Stone JH. Outcomes of nonsevere relapses in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis treated with glucocorticoids. Arthritis Rheumatol 2015; 67:1629-36. [PMID: 25776953 DOI: 10.1002/art.39104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2014] [Accepted: 03/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Nonsevere relapses are more common than severe relapses in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV), but their clinical course and treatment outcomes remain largely unexamined. We undertook this study to analyze the outcomes of patients with nonsevere relapses in the Rituximab in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis (RAVE) trial who were treated with prednisone according to a prespecified protocol. METHODS RAVE was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial comparing rituximab (RTX) to cyclophosphamide (CYC) followed by azathioprine (AZA) for induction of remission. Patients who experienced nonsevere relapses between months 1 and 18 were treated with a prednisone increase without a concomitant change in their nonglucocorticoid immunosuppressants, followed by a taper. RESULTS Forty-four patients with a first nonsevere relapse were analyzed. In comparison to the 71 patients who maintained relapse-free remission over 18 months, these patients were more likely to have proteinase 3-ANCAs, diagnoses of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's), and a history of relapsing disease at baseline. A prednisone increase led to remission in 35 patients (80%). However, only 13 patients (30%) were able to maintain second remissions through the followup period (mean 12.5 months); 31 patients (70%) had a second disease relapse, 14 of them with severe disease. The mean time to second relapse was 9.4 months (4.7 months in the group treated with RTX versus 13.7 months in the group treated with CYC/AZA; P < 0.01). Patients who experienced nonsevere relapses received more glucocorticoids than those who maintained remission (6.7 grams versus 3.8 grams; P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Treatment of nonsevere relapses in AAV with an increase in glucocorticoids is effective in restoring temporary remission in the majority of patients, but recurrent relapses within a relatively short interval remain common. Alternative treatment approaches are needed for this important subset of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - U Specks
- Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - P A Merkel
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - P Seo
- Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - R Spiera
- Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York
| | | | - G S Hoffman
- Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - C G M Kallenberg
- University of Groningen and University Medical Center, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - E W St Clair
- Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - N K Tchao
- Immune Tolerance Network, South San Francisco, California
| | - L Ding
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - D Iklé
- Rho, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | | | - N Lim
- Immune Tolerance Network, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - P Brunetta
- Genentech, South San Francisco, California
| | | | - P A Monach
- Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - J H Stone
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
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Unizony S, Lim N, Phippard DJ, Carey VJ, Miloslavsky EM, Tchao NK, Iklé D, Asare AL, Merkel PA, Monach PA, Seo P, St Clair EW, Langford CA, Spiera R, Hoffman GS, Kallenberg CGM, Specks U, Stone JH. Peripheral CD5+ B cells in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis. Arthritis Rheumatol 2015; 67:535-44. [PMID: 25332071 DOI: 10.1002/art.38916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2014] [Accepted: 10/09/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE CD5+ B cells have been conceptualized as a possible surrogate for Breg cells. The aim of the present study was to determine the utility of CD5+ B cells as biomarkers in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV). METHODS The absolute and relative numbers (percentages) of CD5+ B cells (explanatory variables) were measured longitudinally during 18 months in 197 patients randomized to receive either rituximab (RTX) or cyclophosphamide (CYC) followed by azathioprine (AZA) for the treatment of AAV (Rituximab in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis [RAVE] trial). Outcome variables included disease activity (status of active disease versus complete remission), responsiveness to induction therapy, disease relapse, disease severity, and, in RTX-treated patients, relapse-free survival according to the percentage of CD5+ B cells detected upon B cell repopulation. RESULTS CD5+ B cell numbers were comparable between the treatment groups at baseline. After an initial decline, absolute CD5+ B cell numbers progressively increased in patients in the RTX treatment arm, but remained low in CYC/AZA-treated patients. In both groups, the percentage of CD5+ B cells increased during remission induction and slowly declined thereafter. During relapse, the percentage of CD5+ B cells correlated inversely with disease activity in RTX-treated patients, but not in patients who received CYC/AZA. No significant association was observed between the numbers of CD5+ B cells and induction treatment failure or disease severity. The dynamics of the CD5+ B cell compartment did not anticipate disease relapse. Following B cell repopulation, the percentage of CD5+ B cells was not predictive of time to flare in RTX-treated patients. CONCLUSION The percentage of peripheral CD5+ B cells might reflect disease activity in RTX-treated patients. However, sole staining for CD5 as a putative surrogate marker for Breg cells did not identify a subpopulation of B cells with clear potential for meaningful clinical use. Adequate phenotyping of Breg cells is required to further explore the value of these cells as biomarkers in AAV.
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Geetha D, Specks U, Stone JH, Merkel PA, Seo P, Spiera R, Langford CA, Hoffman GS, Kallenberg CGM, St Clair EW, Fessler BJ, Ding L, Tchao NK, Ikle D, Jepson B, Brunetta P, Fervenza FC. Rituximab versus cyclophosphamide for ANCA-associated vasculitis with renal involvement. J Am Soc Nephrol 2014; 26:976-85. [PMID: 25381429 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2014010046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Rituximab (RTX) is non-inferior to cyclophosphamide (CYC) followed by azathioprine (AZA) for remission-induction in severe ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), but renal outcomes are unknown. This is a post hoc analysis of patients enrolled in the Rituximab for ANCA-Associated Vasculitis (RAVE) Trial who had renal involvement (biopsy proven pauci-immune GN, red blood cell casts in the urine, and/or a rise in serum creatinine concentration attributed to vasculitis). Remission-induction regimens were RTX at 375 mg/m(2) × 4 or CYC at 2 mg/kg/d. CYC was replaced by AZA (2 mg/kg/d) after 3-6 months. Both groups received glucocorticoids. Complete remission (CR) was defined as Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score/Wegener's Granulomatosis (BVAS/WG)=0 off prednisone. Fifty-two percent (102 of 197) of the patients had renal involvement at entry. Of these patients, 51 were randomized to RTX, and 51 to CYC/AZA. Mean eGFR was lower in the RTX group (41 versus 50 ml/min per 1.73 m(2); P=0.05); 61% and 75% of patients treated with RTX and 63% and 76% of patients treated with CYC/AZA achieved CR by 6 and 18 months, respectively. No differences in remission rates or increases in eGFR at 18 months were evident when analysis was stratified by ANCA type, AAV diagnosis (granulomatosis with polyangiitis versus microscopic polyangiitis), or new diagnosis (versus relapsing disease) at entry. There were no differences between treatment groups in relapses at 6, 12, or 18 months. No differences in adverse events were observed. In conclusion, patients with AAV and renal involvement respond similarly to remission induction with RTX plus glucocorticoids or CYC plus glucocorticoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duvuru Geetha
- Division of Nephrology and Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ulrich Specks
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - John H Stone
- Rheumatology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Peter A Merkel
- Division of Rheumatology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Philip Seo
- Division of Nephrology and Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Robert Spiera
- Rheumatology Division, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York
| | - Carol A Langford
- Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Gary S Hoffman
- Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Cees G M Kallenberg
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology University Medical Center, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - E William St Clair
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Barri J Fessler
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Linna Ding
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland
| | | | - David Ikle
- Rho, Inc., Chapel Hill, North Carolina; and
| | | | | | - Fernando C Fervenza
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota;
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Miloslavsky EM, Specks U, Merkel PA, Seo P, Spiera R, Langford CA, Hoffman GS, Kallenberg CGM, St Clair EW, Tchao NK, Viviano L, Ding L, Iklé D, Villarreal M, Jepson B, Brunetta P, Allen NB, Fervenza FC, Geetha D, Keogh K, Kissin EY, Monach PA, Peikert T, Stegeman C, Ytterberg SR, Stone JH. Rituximab for the treatment of relapses in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis. Arthritis Rheumatol 2014; 66:3151-9. [PMID: 25047592 PMCID: PMC4229846 DOI: 10.1002/art.38788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2014] [Accepted: 07/15/2014] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Disease relapses are frequent in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV). This study was undertaken to evaluate outcomes in patients with AAV who are re-treated with rituximab (RTX) and prednisone for severe disease relapses. METHODS The Rituximab in AAV trial was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial comparing the rates of remission induction among patients treated with RTX (n = 99) and patients treated with cyclophosphamide (CYC) followed by azathioprine (AZA) (n = 98). Prednisone was tapered to discontinuation after 5.5 months. After remission was achieved, patients who experienced a severe disease relapse between months 6 and 18 were eligible to receive RTX and prednisone on an open-label basis according to a prespecified protocol. Investigators remained blinded with regard to the original treatment assignment. RESULTS Twenty-six patients received RTX for disease relapse after remission had initially been achieved with their originally assigned treatment. Fifteen of these patients were initially randomized to receive RTX and 11 to receive CYC/AZA. Thirteen (87%) of the patients originally assigned to receive RTX and 10 (91%) originally assigned to receive CYC/AZA achieved remission again with open-label RTX (an overall percentage of 88%). In half of the patients treated with open-label RTX, prednisone could be discontinued entirely. Patients in this cohort experienced fewer adverse events compared to the overall study population (4.7 adverse events per patient-year versus 11.8 adverse events per patient-year). CONCLUSION Re-treatment of AAV relapses with RTX and glucocorticoids appears to be a safe and effective strategy, regardless of previous treatment.
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Miloslavsky EM, Specks U, Merkel PA, Seo P, Spiera R, Langford CA, Hoffman GS, Kallenberg CGM, St Clair EW, Tchao NK, Viviano L, Ding L, Sejismundo LP, Mieras K, Iklé D, Jepson B, Mueller M, Brunetta P, Allen NB, Fervenza FC, Geetha D, Keogh K, Kissin EY, Monach PA, Peikert T, Stegeman C, Ytterberg SR, Stone JH. Clinical outcomes of remission induction therapy for severe antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 65:2441-9. [PMID: 23754238 DOI: 10.1002/art.38044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2012] [Accepted: 05/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the reasons that complete remission is not achieved or maintained with original treatment in some patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) treated with rituximab (RTX) or with cyclophosphamide/azathioprine (CYC/AZA). METHODS The Rituximab in AAV trial was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial comparing the rate of remission induction among patients treated with RTX (n = 99) and patients treated with CYC followed by AZA (n = 98). Glucocorticoids were tapered over a period of 5 months. The primary outcome measure was lack of disease activity without glucocorticoid treatment at 6 months. To determine the most important reason for failure to achieve the primary outcome, 7 hierarchical categories of reasons were defined retrospectively (uncontrolled disease, adverse event leading to therapy discontinuation, severe flare, limited flare, Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score for Wegener's Granulomatosis >0, prednisone treatment at any dosage, and other). RESULTS Although remission (lack of disease activity) was achieved in 170 of the 197 patients (86%) in the first 6 months, the primary outcome measure was not achieved in 42%. There were 3 deaths. Twenty-four percent of the patients failed to achieve the primary end point due to active disease: 10 (5%) experienced uncontrolled disease in the first month and 37 (19%) experienced flares after initial improvement. In the majority of such patients, treatment with blinded crossover or according to best medical judgment led to disease control. Ninety-one percent of patients who had uncontrolled disease or experienced a severe flare had proteinase 3 (PR3)-ANCA. When patients with uncontrolled disease were excluded from analysis, those who were PR3-ANCA positive were found to experience fewer flares when treated with RTX compared to CYC/AZA (8 of 59 [14%] versus 20 of 62 [32%]; P = 0.02). Neither ANCA titers nor B cell counts predicted disease flare. CONCLUSION Current treatment regimens are largely successful in controlling AAV, but in approximately one-fourth of patients, active disease persists or recurs in the first 6 months despite treatment. PR3-ANCA positivity is a risk factor for recurrence or persistence of severe disease. ANCA titers and B cell detectability are poor predictors of both disease relapse and disease quiescence in the first 6 months.
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Specks U, Merkel PA, Seo P, Spiera R, Langford CA, Hoffman GS, Kallenberg CGM, St Clair EW, Fessler BJ, Ding L, Viviano L, Tchao NK, Phippard DJ, Asare AL, Lim N, Ikle D, Jepson B, Brunetta P, Allen NB, Fervenza FC, Geetha D, Keogh K, Kissin EY, Monach PA, Peikert T, Stegeman C, Ytterberg SR, Mueller M, Sejismundo LP, Mieras K, Stone JH. Efficacy of remission-induction regimens for ANCA-associated vasculitis. N Engl J Med 2013; 369:417-27. [PMID: 23902481 PMCID: PMC5953195 DOI: 10.1056/nejmoa1213277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 473] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The 18-month efficacy of a single course of rituximab as compared with conventional immunosuppression with cyclophosphamide followed by azathioprine in patients with severe (organ-threatening) antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis is unknown. METHODS In a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, noninferiority trial, we compared rituximab (375 mg per square meter of body-surface area administered once a week for 4 weeks) followed by placebo with cyclophosphamide administered for 3 to 6 months followed by azathioprine for 12 to 15 months. The primary outcome measure was complete remission of disease by 6 months, with the remission maintained through 18 months. RESULTS A total of 197 patients were enrolled. As reported previously, 64% of the patients in the rituximab group, as compared with 53% of the patients in the cyclophosphamide-azathioprine group, had a complete remission by 6 months. At 12 and 18 months, 48% and 39%, respectively, of the patients in the rituximab group had maintained the complete remissions, as compared with 39% and 33%, respectively, in the comparison group. Rituximab met the prespecified criteria for noninferiority (P<0.001, with a noninferiority margin of 20%). There was no significant difference between the groups in any efficacy measure, including the duration of complete remission and the frequency or severity of relapses. Among the 101 patients who had relapsing disease at baseline, rituximab was superior to conventional immunosuppression at 6 months (P=0.01) and at 12 months (P=0.009) but not at 18 months (P=0.06), at which time most patients in the rituximab group had reconstituted B cells. There was no significant between-group difference in adverse events. CONCLUSIONS In patients with severe ANCA-associated vasculitis, a single course of rituximab was as effective as continuous conventional immunosuppressive therapy for the induction and maintenance of remissions over the course of 18 months. (Funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and others; RAVE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00104299.)
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Stone JH. Small and medium vessel primary vasculitis. Clin Immunol 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-7234-3691-1.00071-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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