Abstract | OBJECTIVE: METHODS: Seventy patients with early RA (n = 20, 36, and 14 in the infliximab 3 mg/kg plus MTX, infliximab 6 mg/kg plus MTX, and placebo plus MTX groups, respectively) were included in an analysis of patients enrolled in an ASPIRE substudy. Patients received 0.5 ml pneumococcal vaccine ( Pneumovax) 34 weeks after initiation of study treatment; patient sera were collected 4 weeks later (week 38). Antibody responses were tested using enzyme immunoassay methods for reactivity to a panel of 12 serotypes of the pneumococcal vaccine. RESULTS: No significant difference in response to Pneumovax was observed between the infliximab plus MTX and placebo plus MTX groups. Roughly 80%-85% of patients responded to at least one serotype; however, only 20%-25% of patients in the different treatment groups responded to at least 6 different serotypes. Comparable proportions of patients in the 3 treatment groups responded to an increasing number (> or = 1 to > or = 6) of different serotypes. Patients < 45 years of age and those receiving oral corticosteroids generally appeared to respond better than those age 45 to 65 years and those not receiving oral corticosteroids. CONCLUSION: All treatment groups in this study had lower responses to vaccine than would be expected in the normal population. However, the addition of the anti-TNF agent infliximab to MTX therapy did not appear to affect the response of patients with RA to pneumococcal vaccination.
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Authors | Sudha Visvanathan, Gregory F Keenan, Daniel G Baker, Arnold I Levinson, Carrie L Wagner |
Journal | The Journal of rheumatology
(J Rheumatol)
Vol. 34
Issue 5
Pg. 952-7
(May 2007)
ISSN: 0315-162X [Print] Canada |
PMID | 17444589
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- 23-valent pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide vaccine
- Antibodies, Monoclonal
- Antirheumatic Agents
- Immunosuppressive Agents
- Pneumococcal Vaccines
- Infliximab
- Methotrexate
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Topics |
- Adult
- Antibodies, Monoclonal
(therapeutic use)
- Antibody Formation
- Antirheumatic Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid
(drug therapy, physiopathology)
- Drug Therapy, Combination
- Female
- Humans
- Immunosuppressive Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Infliximab
- Male
- Methotrexate
(therapeutic use)
- Middle Aged
- Pneumococcal Infections
(prevention & control)
- Pneumococcal Vaccines
(administration & dosage)
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