An immunogenomic exome landscape of triple positive primary antiphospholipid patients

Primary antiphospholipid syndrome is characterized by thrombosis and autoantibodies directed against phospholipids or associated proteins. The genetic etiology of PAPS remains unknown. We enrolled 21 patients with thromboembolic events associated to lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin and anti β2 glycoprotein1 autoantibodies. We performed whole exome sequencing and a systematic variant-based analysis in genes associated with thrombosis, in candidate genes previously associated with APS or inborn errors of immunity. Data were compared to public databases and to a control cohort of 873 non-autoimmune patients. Variants were identified following a state-of-the-art pipeline. Enrichment analysis was performed by comparing with the control cohort. We found an absence of significant HLA bias and genetic heterogeneity in these patients, including when testing combinations of rare variants in genes encoding for proteins involved in thrombosis and of variants in genes linked with inborn errors of immunity. These results provide evidence of genetic heterogeneity in PAPS, even in a homogenous series of triple positive patients. At the individual scale, a combination of variants may participate to the breakdown of B cell tolerance and to the vessel damage.

Stratégies innovantes de vaccination anti-pneumococcique par rapport au schéma standard chez les patients atteints de vascularites associées aux ANCA recevant du rituximab : essai contrôlé randomisé multicentrique (PNEUMOVAS)

Introduction

Les patients recevant des glucocorticoïdes et du rituximab (RTX) présentent un risque accru d’infections, en particulier d’infections invasives à pneumocoque. Les réponses vaccinales au virus de la grippe, au Streptococcus pneumoniae et au SARS-CoV-2 sous traitement par RTX sont fortement altérées. Chez les patients atteints de maladies auto-immunes recevant de tels traitements, en particulier ceux atteints de vascularites associées aux ANCA (AAV), il est donc nécessaire de développer des stratégies vaccinales anti-pneumococciques améliorées pour augmenter la réponse immunitaire et la protection vaccinale.

Patients et méthodes

Cet essai multicentrique de phase 2, randomisé, ouvert, a comparé deux stratégies innovantes de vaccin anti-pneumococcique « renforcées » au schéma de vaccination standard chez des patients atteints de VAA recevant un traitement par RTX. Des patients adultes atteints de VAA nouvellement diagnostiquée ou en rechute, présentant une maladie active (BVAS ≥ 3) et devant recevoir du RTX comme traitement d’induction (375 mg/m²/semaine pendant 4 semaines consécutives), ont été randomisés avec un rapport 1:1:1 dans trois bras parallèles : schéma standard associant une dose de vaccin pneumococcique conjugué 13-valent (PCV13) au jour 0 suivie d’une dose de vaccin non conjugué 23-valent (PPV23) au mois 5 (M5) (bras 1) ; double dose de PCV13 au jour 0 et au jour 7 suivie d’une dose de PPV23 à M5 (bras 2) ; ou 4 doses de PCV13 au jour 0 suivies d’une dose de PPV23 à M5 (bras 3). Le critère d’évaluation principal était la réponse immunitaire à M6 contre les 12 sérotypes de pneumocoque communs aux vaccins PCV13 et PPV23, classée selon quatre catégories ordonnées de réponse : réponse positive en anticorps contre 0–3, 4–6, 7–9 ou 10–12 sérotypes. Une réponse positive par sérotype était définie par un titre ELISA d’IgG spécifiques ≥ 1 μg/mL et une augmentation de deux fois par rapport au jour 0. Le critère d’évaluation primaire a été analysé dans un modèle de régression logistique à chances proportionnelles avec une correction de Bonferonni pour les 2 bras innovants. Les critères d’évaluation secondaires étaient les réactions locales et systémiques sollicitées 7 jours après chaque vaccination et tout événement indésirable lié ou pouvant être lié à l’immunisation vaccinale.

Résultats

Quatre-vingt-quinze participants ont été analysés dans la population modifiée en intention de traiter (âge moyen 60 ± 16,6 ans, 50 % d’hommes, 74 personnes atteintes d’une maladie nouvellement diagnostiquée, 66 d’une granulomatose avec polyangéite et 29 d’une polyangéite microscopique, BVAS moyen 15,3 ± 6,9), dont 30 affectés au bras 1, 32 au bras 2 et 33 au bras 3.

À M6, une réponse immunitaire contre 0–3, 4–6, 7–9 ou 10–12 sérotypes était observée chez 83,3 %, 13,3 %, 3,3 % et 0 % dans le bras 1 ; 56,3 %, 28,1 %, 15,6 % et 0 % dans le bras 2 ; et 60,6 %, 33,3 %, 6,1 % et 0 % dans le bras 3. Les patients du bras 2 étaient significativement plus susceptibles de se trouver dans une catégorie de réponse supérieures par rapport au régime standard après ajustement sur l’âge, avec un odds ratio proportionnel (pOR) de 4,1 (IC97,5 % : 1,1–15,9, p = 0,018), tandis que le bras 3 montrait une tendance non significative à améliorer les réponses vaccinales (pOR : 3,1, IC97,5 % : 0,8–11,9, p = 0,062). Une analyse de sensibilité sur une population per-protocole excluant les patients ayant subi des vaccinations ou des prises de sang hors des délais donnait des estimations concordantes.

Les réactions locales et/ou systémiques dans les 7 jours après chaque vaccination, et tout événement indésirable lié ou possiblement lié à la vaccination au cours des 6 premiers mois, sont survenus en plus grand nombre avec les schémas renforcés mais étaient principalement des réactions locales de grade 1 ou 2. Aucun événement indésirable grave lié à la vaccination n’a été observé.

Au cours du suivi, 8 poussées de vascularite sont survenues chez 6 patients, en médiane 87 jours après la dernière vaccination : un patient dans le bras 1, 2 dans le bras 2, et 3 dans le bras 3.

Conclusion

Chez les patients atteints de VAA recevant un traitement par RTX, une stratégie innovante de vaccination anti-pneumococcique renforcée, basée sur une double dose de PCV13 au jour 0 et au jour 7 suivie d’une dose unique de PPV23 à M5, améliore significativement les réponses en anticorps contre Streptococcus pneumoniae par rapport au schéma standard.

OP0280 WEANING OF MAINTENANCE IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE THERAPY IN LUPUS NEPHRITIS (WIN-Lupus): A MULTICENTER RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Background

Lupus nephritis (LN) is a frequent complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Severe (proliferative) forms of LN are treated with an induction immunosuppressive therapy (IST), followed by a maintenance IST, to target remission and avoid relapses. The optimal duration of maintenance IST for proliferative LN is unknown.

Objectives

The WIN-Lupus trial tested whether IST discontinuation after 2-3 years in proliferative LN was non-inferior to IST continuation for 2 more years.

Methods

WIN-Lupus is an investigator-initiated academic randomized controlled trial, conducted in 28 French centers. Patients on maintenance IST with azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil for a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 3 years, and who were taking Hydroxychloroquine, were randomized (1:1) between 2 groups: IST continuation and IST discontinuation. The primary endpoint was the relapse rate of proliferative LN at 24 months. Secondary endpoints were the rate of severe SLE flares, survival without renal relapse or severe flare, adverse events, kidney function, disease activity, corticosteroid exposure, patient-reported outcome and medico-economic impact.

Results

Between 2011 and 2016, 125 patients were screened and 96 were randomized in the trial: 48 in the IST continuation group, 48 in the IST discontinuation group. In the per-protocol population, a relapse of proliferative LN occurred in 5/40 (10.4%) patients with IST continuation, and in 12/44 (25%) patients with IST discontinuation (difference 14.8%, 95%CI [-1.9; 31.5]). Non-inferiority was not demonstrated for relapse rate. Time to renal relapse did not differ between groups (p=0.092). Severe SLE flares (renal or extra-renal) were less frequent in patients with IST continuation compared to IST discontinuation (5/40 vs 14/44 patients, p=0.035). IST discontinuation was associated with lower health-related costs. Adverse events did not differ between groups.

Conclusion

Non-inferiority of maintenance IST discontinuation after 2 to 3 years was not demonstrated for renal relapse. IST discontinuation was associated with a higher risk of severe SLE flare.

References

[1]Moroni G et al. When and how is it possible to stop therapy in patients with lupus nephritis? Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2021. CJN.04830421. doi: 10.2215/CJN.04830421.

[2]Fanouriakis A et al. 2019 Update of the Joint European League Against Rheumatism and European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association (EULAR/ERA-EDTA) recommendations for the management of lupus nephritis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2020;79(6):713-723.

[3]Jourde-Chiche N et al. Proliferative lupus nephritis treatment: practice survey in nephrology and internal medicine in France. Nephrol Ther. 2014;10(3):170-6.

[4]Zen M et al. Immunosuppressive therapy withdrawal after remission achievement in patients with lupus nephritis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2021;keab373. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab373.

[5]Malvar A et al. Kidney biopsy-based management of maintenance immunosuppression is safe and may ameliorate flare rate in lupus nephritis. Kidney Int. 2020;97(1):156-162.

Acknowledgements

Groupe Coopératif sur le Lupus Rénal (GCLR)

Disclosure of Interests

Noemie JOURDE-CHICHE Speakers bureau: Vifor Pharma, Grant/research support from: Fresenius Medical Care: grant paid to my institution (AP-HM) for the CINEVAS study in ANCA-associated vasculitis, Nathalie Costedoat-Chalumeau Grant/research support from: AP-HP received a research support from ROCHE for the OBILUP trial, Karine Baumstarck: None declared, LAURENCE BOUILLET Speakers bureau: GSK, novartis, biocryst, takeda, behring, Paid instructor for: takeda, novartis, Consultant of: GSK, novartis, biocryst, takeda, behring, blueprint, Grant/research support from: takeda, gsk, sanofi, biocryst, novartis, Stéphane Burtey: None declared, Valerie Caudwell: None declared, Laurent Chiche Speakers bureau: BMS, Paid instructor for: BMS, Lionel Couzi Speakers bureau: Astellas, Chiesi, Novartis, Sandoz, Ostuka, GSK, Biotest, Consultant of: Biotest, Hansa, Novartis, Grant/research support from: Novartis, Astellas, Christophe DELIGNY: None declared, Bertrand Dussol Speakers bureau: Genzyme, Novonordisk, Grant/research support from: Shire, Stanislas Faguer Speakers bureau: Asahi, Vifor Pharma, Sanofi, Consultant of: Abyonyx Pharma, Pierre Gobert: None declared, Guillaume Gondran Speakers bureau: Pfizer, Novartis, Consultant of: Genzyme, Antoine Huart Speakers bureau: Janssen, Paid instructor for: Pfizer, Aurélie Hummel: None declared, Emilie Kalbacher: None declared, Alexandre Karras Speakers bureau: Vifor, GSK, Astra-Zeneca, Roche, Paid instructor for: Vifor, Sanofi, Alexion, Consultant of: Novartis, GSK, Bohringer-Ingelheim, Marc Lambert Speakers bureau: CHUGAI-ROCHE, BAYER, PFIZER, LEOPHARMA, Paid instructor for: CHUGAI-ROCHE, Consultant of: CHUGAI-ROCHE, BAYER, PFIZER, LEOPHARMA, Grant/research support from: CHUGAI-ROCHE, Véronique LE GUERN: None declared, Sandrine Loubiere: None declared, Helene Maillard: None declared, Francois Maurier: None declared, Micheline Pha: None declared, Viviane Queyrel Paid instructor for: GSK, Consultant of: Boehringer Ingelheim, Francoise Sarrot-Reynauld: None declared, David Verhelst: None declared, Eric Hachulla Speakers bureau: Johnson & Johnson, GSK, Roche-Chugai, Consultant of: Johnson & Johnson, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bayer, GSK, Roche-Chugai, Sanofi-Genzyme, Grant/research support from: CSL Behring, GSK, Roche-Chugai and Johnson & Johnson, Zahir Amoura Speakers bureau: GSK, CSL Behring, Consultant of: GSK, Grant/research support from: GSK, Eric Daugas Speakers bureau: GSK, Amgen, Paid instructor for: GSK, Astra Zeneca, Consultant of: GSK, Astra Zeneca, Amgen, Grant/research support from: ROCHE for the OBILUP trial (AP-HP)

OP0030 GRANULOMATOSIS WITH POLYANGIITIS SUSTAINED REMISSION OFF-THERAPY: DATA FROM THE FRENCH VASCULITIS STUDY GROUP REGISTRY

Background:

Data on granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) sustained remission off-therapy (SROT) are limited and it is unknown whether disease characteristics or treatment regimen may affect it.

Objectives:

This study aimed to assess SROT of GPA patients from the French Vasculitis Study Group registry, and identify factors associated with its occurrence and durability during follow-up.

Methods:

GPA had to satisfy the 1990 ACR classification criteria and/or revised Chapel Hill Nomenclature for study inclusion. SROT was defined as remission (BVAS=0) without glucocorticoids (GC) or immunosuppressants (IS), the latter for ≥6 months (ie 2 consecutive visits). SROT and its duration were extracted from the database. Data from patients with 3-, 5- and 10-year SROT were analyzed. Baseline characteristics of patients with 3-year GPA SROT were compared to those of registry GPA patients with available data at 3 years but not in SROT (controls), and 3-year SROT achieving 5-year SROT vs those who relapsed between 3 & 5 years. Patients with 3-year GPA SROT follow-up +7 years were analyzed according to maintained SROT or not.

Results:

Among 795 database patients with new-onset GPA, 259 achieved at least 1 SROT at some time during their disease, after a median [IQR] of 36 [28–63] months post-diagnosis. The first SROT lasted a median of 14 [I8-32] months. Among 202 of those patients who had follow-up, 73 (36%) remained in SROT for a median follow-up of 34 [14-45] months post-SROT. Among 434 (54%) patients followed for ≥3 years post-diagnosis, 82% had received GC and cyclophosphamide induction therapy. At 3 years post-diagnosis, 92 (21%) patients in SROT were compared to 342 (79%) controls who had relapsed or were still taking GC or IS. Patients achieving 3-year SROT vs controls, respectively, had more frequently received intravenous cyclophosphamide as induction therapy (89% vs 77%, P=0.01), with a higher median number of infusions (7.5 vs 6; P=0.05); no other clinical or biological baseline difference was found. Among those 92 3-year SROT patients, 74 had ≥2 years of additional follow-up: 46 (62%) attained 5-year SROT and 28 (38%) had relapsed after a mean follow-up of 13 months. Baseline clinical and biological characteristics of patients achieving 5-year SROT did not differ from those of 3-year SROT patients who relapsed. Among those 92 3-year SROT patients, 16 had ≥7 additional years of follow-up: 6 (38%) achieved 10-year SROT, ie 8% of 75 GPA with available data at 10 years, and 10 (63%) had relapsed a mean 35 ± 28 months after achieving 3-year SROT.

Conclusion:

Only 8% of GPA patients achieved 10-year SROT after conventional induction and maintenance therapies. No baseline clinical or biological characteristics helped distinguish patients achieving or maintaining SROT and those who relapsed. However, patients achieving 3-year SROT had received more intensive induction therapy than those who relapsed or were still on GC or IS at 3 years.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

FRI0249 IN MYOSITIS PATIENTS, SJÖGREN’S SYNDROME IS ASSOCIATED WITH INCLUSION BODY MYOSITIS AND WITH ANTI-CN1A ANTIBODIES INDEPENDENTLY OF THE MYOSITIS SUBTYPE

Background:

Myositis are characterized by weakness and muscle inflammation. They encompass heterogeneous conditions, which include dermatomyositis (DM), inclusion body myositis (IBM) and polymyositis (PM) according to the EULAR/ACR 2017 criteria. We recently recorded a high prevalence of IBM in a cohort of primary Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) (1). The signification of SS in the setting of myositis is unanswered.

Objectives:

To refine the signification of SS in the setting of myositis.

Methods:

Among a monocentric myositis cohort (according to the EULAR/ACR 2017 criteria), SS patients (according to the ACR/EULAR 2016 criteria) were identified (myositis/SS+ group) and compared to myositis patients without SS (myositis/SS- group).

Results:

Among 414 myositis patients, SS criteria were available for 96 patients. Thirty two (33%) presented SS. Patients with SS tended to be more frequently women (F/M ratio 9.7 vs 3.0, p = 0.07). Age at diagnosis of myositis was similar in both groups (53 years [range 21-74] vs 53 years [range 16-77], p = 0.51).

Myositis subtypes repartition (as defined by EULAR/ACR 2017 criteria) was different in myositis/SS+ and myositis/SS- groups (p = 0.021), IBM being four-fold more prevalent in myositis/SS+ group (25% vs 6%, p = 0.018). Accordingly, the delay between the first muscle symptoms and myositis diagnosis was longer in myositis/SS+ group (7 months [0-336] vs 4 months [0-122], p = 0.041). Moreover, aside anti-cN1A antibodies, myositis-specific antibodies were less frequently found in myositis/SS+ patients than in myositis/SS- ones (16/32 [50%] vs 46/64 [72%], p = 0.035).

Anti-cN1A antibodies were more prevalent in myositis/SS+ patients (33% vs 5.8%, p = 0.0032). However, in myositis/SS+ group, anti-cN1A were frequent in each of the EULAR/ACR 2017 myositis subtypes and the association between SS and anti-cN1A positivity was maintained in a multivariate analysis adjusted with the diagnosis of IBM (p = 0.023).

Seven of the myositis/SS+ patients (22%) had systemic involvement typical of SS (vs 6 [9%] of the myositis/SS- patients, p = 0.12) including polyneuropathy (6 [20%] vs 6 [10%]) and type 2 cryoglobulinaemic vasculitis (1 [3%] vs 1 [1.6%]). In addition, 2 (6%) myositis/SS+ patients developed a lymphoma (one B diffuse large cell lymphoma of the parotid and one non-Hodgkin lymphoma), vs none of the myositis/SS- patients (p = 0.11). Only one (3%) of the myositis/SS+ patients developed myositis-associated cancer (diagnosed within 3 years of myositis diagnosis) versus 6 (9%) of the myositis/SS- patients (p = 0.66).

Aside hydroxychloroquine, more frequently used in myositis/SS+ group (38% vs 16%, p = 0.018), no significant difference was found in the management of the patients (taking into account the myositis subtype).

Conclusion:

Myositis patients with SS have more frequently IBM than myositis patients without SS. They also have more frequently anti-cN1A antibodies, independently of the myositis subtype. They might develop systemic complications of SS.

References:

[1]Felten R, Seror R, Vittecoq O, Hachulla E, Perdriger A, Dieude P, et al. SAT0470 Myositis, often suspected, is actually rare in primary Sjögren’s syndrome: data from the French cohort ASSESS. In BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and European League Against Rheumatism; 2018. p. 1093.1–1093. Available from:http://ard.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/annrheumdis-2018-eular.2945

Disclosure of Interests:

Dan LEVY: None declared, Benoit Nespola: None declared, Margherita Giannini: None declared, Renaud FELTEN: None declared, Coralie Varoquier: None declared, Marina Rinagel: None declared, Anne-Sophie Korganow: None declared, Vincent Poindron: None declared, Thierry Martin: None declared, Francois Maurier: None declared, Hassam Chereih: None declared, Bastien Bouldoires: None declared, Baptiste Hervier: None declared, Cédric Lenormand: None declared, Laurent Arnaud: None declared, Bernard Geny: None declared, Jean Sibilia: None declared, Jacques-Eric Gottenberg Grant/research support from: BMS, Pfizer, Consultant of: BMS, Sanofi-Genzyme, UCB, Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Eli Lilly and Co., Roche, Sanofi-Genzyme, UCB, alain meyer: None declared

Lactobacillus endocarditis: a case report in France and literature review

Lactobacilli are commensal bacteria in the normal flora of the oral cavity, gastrointestinal and genital tract. However, few cases of lactobacilli-induced bacteremia or endocarditis have been reported, particularly in immunocompromised patients. We reported a rare case of a 57-year-old man with a Lactobacillus rhamnosus endocarditis without immunodeficiency in his medical history. He received a dental scaling one year before. Clinical presentation included weight loss, heart murmur, ankle arthritis and splinter hemorrhage. Echocardiography showed a mitral prolapse and a 16 mm vegetation associated with a valvular perforation. All blood cultures were positive for Lactobacillus rhamnosus. Antibacterial regimen with amoxicillin and gentamicin led to recovery without surgery. We present a literature review of the lactobacillary endocarditis cases published since 1992. Valvulopathy, dental or invasive procedures and probiotics use were the main underlying conditions, in contrary to immunodeficiency. Diagnosis of lactobacillary endocarditis should be more considered and a treatment with penicillin and aminoglycoside should be promptly introduced in life-threatening cases.

[Large vessel vasculitis with myelodysplastic syndrome: A rare association]

INTRODUCTION

The vasculitis can be the consequence of malignancy: most often hematologic rather than solid tumors. The association between large vessels vasculitis and myelodysplastic syndrome is rare.

CASE REPORT

A 55-year-old man experienced asthenia, fever, polyarthritis and inflammatory syndrome. Haematological investigations found a type 2 refractory anemia with excess blasts (RAEB-2) with discovery of severe anemia (Hb: 7,8g/dl) and thrombopenia (platelets: 40,000/mm³). Radiological examinations found thoracic aortitis and carotid vasculitis. Treatment in the form of steroids and azacitidine was instituted. The lack of control of both RAEB-2 and vasculitis was responsible for the death of the patient.

CONCLUSION

Myelodysplastic syndrome and large vessels vasculitis is a rare but serious association disease. The lack of efficiency of corticosteroids seems to be common. Prognosis depends on the haematological treatment effectiveness.