| Abstract | BACKGROUND: In a pilot study, the anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha monoclonal antibody, infliximab, induced a rapid and significant improvement in global, peripheral, and axial disease manifestations of patients with active spondyloarthropathy. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether repeated infusions of infliximab would effectively and safely maintain the observed effect. METHODS: Safety and efficacy of a maintenance regimen (5 mg/kg infliximab every 14 weeks) was evaluated using the measurements reported in the pilot study. Of the 21 patients, 19 completed the one year follow up for efficacy; two patients changed to another dosing regimen after week 12 owing to partial lack of efficacy. However, they are still being followed up for safety analysis. RESULTS: After each re-treatment a sustained significant decrease of all disease manifestations was observed. Before re-treatment, symptoms recurred in 3/19 (16%) at week 20, in 13/19 (68%) at week 34, and in 15/19 (79%) at week 48. No withdrawals due to adverse events occurred. Twelve minor infectious episodes were observed. Twelve patients (57%) developed antinuclear antibodies; in four of them (19%) anti-dsDNA antibodies were detected. However, no lupus-like symptoms occurred. CONCLUSION: In this open study of infliximab in patients with active spondyloarthropathy, the significant improvement of all disease manifestations was maintained over a one year follow up period without major adverse events. Although recurrence of symptoms was noted in a rising number of patients before each re-treatment, no loss of efficacy was observed after re-treatment. |
| Authors | E Kruithof, F Van den Bosch, D Baeten, A Herssens, F De Keyser, H Mielants, E M Veys
(Affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium. elli.kruithof at rug.ac.be)
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| Journal | Annals of the rheumatic diseases
(Ann Rheum Dis)
Vol. 61
Issue 3
Pg. 207-12
(Mar 2002)
ISSN: 0003-4967 England |
| PMID | 11830424
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
|
| Chemical References |
- Antibodies, Antinuclear
- Antibodies, Monoclonal
- Antirheumatic Agents
- infliximab
|
| Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Antibodies, Antinuclear
(immunology)
- Antibodies, Monoclonal
(administration & dosage)
- Antirheumatic Agents
(administration & dosage)
- Female
- Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Pilot Projects
- Retreatment
- Spondylarthropathies
(drug therapy, immunology)
- Statistics, Nonparametric
- Treatment Outcome
|
