Abstract | OBJECTIVE: METHODS: RESULTS: The only significant adverse events observed were urinary tract infection in 3 patients, 1 of which was accompanied by Escherichia coli bacteremia, and a prolonged febrile episode of putatively viral origin in 1 of them. These patients had similar infectious conditions in the past. In none of the patients was it necessary to terminate the treatment prematurely. Levels of antibodies to double-stranded DNA and cardiolipin increased in 4 patients each, but this was not associated with a decrease in serum complement levels, with vascular events, or with flares. In contrast, disease activity declined during therapy. All 3 patients with joint involvement experienced remission of arthritis, which relapsed 8-11 weeks after the last infliximab infusion. In the 4 patients with lupus nephritis, proteinuria decreased significantly within 1 week after initiation of therapy and was diminished by > or = 60% within 8 weeks, remaining at low levels until the end of the observation period (at least several months). CONCLUSION:
Infliximab did not lead to adverse events related to an increase in SLE activity, although autoantibodies to double-stranded DNA and cardiolipin increased, as expected. This finding, coupled with the clinical improvement in the inflammatory manifestations of the disease, indicates that further study in larger controlled trials is warranted.
|
Authors | Martin Aringer, Winfried B Graninger, Günter Steiner, Josef S Smolen |
Journal | Arthritis and rheumatism
(Arthritis Rheum)
Vol. 50
Issue 10
Pg. 3161-9
(Oct 2004)
ISSN: 0004-3591 [Print] United States |
PMID | 15476222
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
|
Copyright | Copyright 2004 American College of Rheumatology |
Chemical References |
- Antibodies, Monoclonal
- Antirheumatic Agents
- Autoantibodies
- Cardiolipins
- Immunosuppressive Agents
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
- Complement System Proteins
- DNA
- Infliximab
- Azathioprine
- Methotrexate
|
Topics |
- Adult
- Antibodies, Monoclonal
(administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
- Antirheumatic Agents
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Arthritis
(drug therapy)
- Autoantibodies
(blood)
- Azathioprine
(administration & dosage)
- Bacteremia
(etiology)
- Cardiolipins
(immunology)
- Complement System Proteins
(analysis)
- DNA
(immunology)
- Escherichia coli Infections
(etiology)
- Female
- Humans
- Immunosuppressive Agents
(administration & dosage)
- Infliximab
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic
(drug therapy)
- Lupus Nephritis
(drug therapy, urine)
- Methotrexate
(administration & dosage)
- Middle Aged
- Safety
- Treatment Outcome
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
(antagonists & inhibitors, immunology)
- Urinary Tract Infections
(etiology)
|