Effects of glucocorticoids and tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors on both clinical and molecular parameters in patients with Takayasu arteritis.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To explore the effect of sequential treatment with glucocorticoid and tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors in patients with Takayasu arteritis (TA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

In five patients with TA, the effects of the sequential treatment with prednisone for 5-7 months and then with adalimumab (ADA) + methotrexate (MTX) or infliximab + MTX, or with ADA only, for 12 months on both clinical and laboratory findings were evaluated.

RESULTS:

All treatments improved both symptoms and laboratory parameters without the development of side-effects.

CONCLUSIONS:

It was hypothesized that MMP-9 and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin could be markers of the response to the treatments.

• Authors: Raffaele Serra, Raffaele Grande, Gianluca Buffone, Edoardo Scarcello, Fabio Tripodi, Pierandrea Rende, Luca Gallelli, Stefano de Franciscis
• Journal: Journal of pharmacology & pharmacotherapeutics (J Pharmacol Pharmacother) Vol. 5 Issue 3 Pg. 193-6 (Jul 2014) ISSN: 0976-500X [Print] India
• PMID: 25210399 (Publication Type: Journal Article)