Literature database

PPTA | Immunoglobulin Literature Database

Arthritis Rheum. 2010 Apr;62(4):1138-46.

Evaluation of fetuses in a study of intravenous immunoglobulin as preventive therapy for congenital heart block: Results of a multicenter, prospective, open-label clinical trial.

Friedman DM, Llanos C, Izmirly PM, Brock B, Byron J, Copel J, Cummiskey K, Dooley MA, Foley J, Graves C, Hendershott C, Kates R, Komissarova EV, Miller M, Paré E, Phoon CK, Prosen T, Reisner D, Ruderman E, Samuels P, Yu JK, Kim MY, Buyon JP.

New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The recurrence rate of anti-SSA/Ro-associated congenital heart block (CHB) is 17%. Sustained reversal of third-degree block has never been achieved. Based on potential reduction of maternal autoantibody titers as well as fetal inflammatory responses, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) was evaluated as preventive therapy for CHB. METHODS: A multicenter, prospective, open-label study based on Simon's 2-stage optimal design was initiated. Enrollment criteria included the presence of anti-SSA/Ro antibodies in the mother, birth of a previous child with CHB/neonatal lupus rash, current treatment with < or = 20 mg/day of prednisone, and <12 weeks pregnant. IVIG (400 mg/kg) was given every 3 weeks from week 12 to week 24 of gestation. The primary outcome was the development of second-degree or third-degree CHB. RESULTS: Twenty mothers completed the IVIG protocol before the predetermined stopping rule of 3 cases of advanced CHB in the study was reached. CHB was detected at 19, 20, and 25 weeks; none of the cases occurred following the finding of an abnormal PR interval on fetal Doppler monitoring.
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Muscle Nerve. 2010 May;41(5):723-7.

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy associated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha antagonists.

Alshekhlee A, Basiri K, Miles JD, Ahmad SA, Katirji B.

The Neurological Institute, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44106-5040, USA. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Abstract

Biologic therapy with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha antagonists for rheumatoid arthritis has been well established. We describe two patients with rheumatoid arthritis who developed chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) during their course of therapy with TNF-alpha antagonists. A 45-year-old woman and a 49-year-old man, both with a history of rheumatoid arthritis, were treated with etanercept and infliximab, respectively. Clinical signs of peripheral neuropathy developed 2 weeks and 12 months after the initiation of TNF-alpha antagonists. Electrodiagnostic studies at variable points during the disease course showed signs of acquired demyelination consistent with CIDP. Cerebrospinal fluid examination showed albuminocytologic dissociation (total protein concentration 118 mg/dl and 152 mg/dl, respectively). Both patients failed to improve after discontinuation of the offending agent, and they responded poorly to corticosteroids. However, there was clinical and electrophysiologic recovery after initiation of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy. CIDP may occur early or late during the treatment course with TNF-alpha antagonists. IVIg may reverse and stabilize the inflammatory process.