Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of anti-TNF-alpha treatment in RA patients with and without anti-Ro antibodies, in order to detect any change in their immunological or clinical profile. Methods Autoantibodies in 322 patients being treated with anti-TNF-a drugs were studied; 17 were found to be anti-Ro positive, while 305 were anti-Ro negative. Results Two groups, comparable in terms of sex distribution, RA duration and anti-TNF-alpha drug employed, showed symmetrical, erosive polyarticular RA with high disease activity. Anti-TNF-alpha led to significant improvement in both groups. At baseline rheumatoid factor and ANA, globally positive in 68.6% and 40%, were more frequent in anti-Ro positive sera. ANA showed a rising trend beginning in the 6th month of treatment in both groups, which was always statistically significant compared to baseline. Anti-dsDNA antibodies, measured using either CLIFT and ELISA or the Farr assay, remained stable in the first 6 months, then increased at 12th and 18th month, and subsequently declined. No difference was detected between the two groups regarding the number or cause of dropouts, but lupus-like disease was more frequent in anti-Ro positive subjects (p = 0.012). In addition, two cases of NHL were detected. Conclusion Anti-TNF-alpha treatment was shown to be effective inpatients with anti-Ro antibodies. Although anti-dsDNA and lupus-like disease were more frequent in anti-Ro positive patients, severe manifestations of systemic involvement were not observed. A longer follow-up is warranted to evaluate the risk of NHL in these patients.
Anti-TNF-alpha treatment in rheumatoid arthritis with anti-Ro/SSA antibodies. Analysis of 17 cases among a cohort of 322 treated patients / I. Cavazzana, F. Bobbio-Pallavicini, F. Franceschini, C. Bazzani, A. Ceribelli, E. Bravi, S. Zingarelli, R. Caporali, R. Cattaneo, C. Montecucco. - In: CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RHEUMATOLOGY. - ISSN 0392-856X. - 25:5(2007), pp. 676-683.
Titolo: | Anti-TNF-alpha treatment in rheumatoid arthritis with anti-Ro/SSA antibodies. Analysis of 17 cases among a cohort of 322 treated patients |
Autori: | |
Parole Chiave: | anti-TNF-alpha; anti-Ro/SSA; rheumatoid arthritis; infliximab; etanercept |
Settore Scientifico Disciplinare: | Settore MED/16 - Reumatologia |
Data di pubblicazione: | 2007 |
Rivista: | |
Tipologia: | Article (author) |
Appare nelle tipologie: | 01 - Articolo su periodico |
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