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Arthritis & Rheumatology (Hoboken, N.J.) Jan 2024AURORA 2 evaluated the long-term safety, tolerability, and efficacy of voclosporin compared to placebo in patients with lupus nephritis (LN) receiving an additional two...
OBJECTIVE
AURORA 2 evaluated the long-term safety, tolerability, and efficacy of voclosporin compared to placebo in patients with lupus nephritis (LN) receiving an additional two years of treatment following completion of the one-year AURORA 1 study.
METHODS
Enrolled patients continued their double-blinded treatment of voclosporin or placebo randomly assigned in AURORA 1, in combination with mycophenolate mofetil and low-dose glucocorticoids. The primary objective was safety assessed with adverse events (AEs) and biochemical and hematological assessments. Efficacy was measured by renal response.
RESULTS
A total of 216 patients enrolled in AURORA 2. Treatment was well tolerated with 86.1% completing the study and no unexpected safety signals. AEs occurred in 86% and 80% of patients in the voclosporin and control groups, respectively, with an AE profile similar to that seen in AURORA 1, albeit with reduced frequency. Investigator reported AEs of both glomerular filtration rate (GFR) decrease and hypertension occurred more frequently in the voclosporin than the control group (10.3% vs 5.0%, and 8.6% vs 7.0%, respectively). Mean corrected estimated GFR (eGFR) was within the normal range and stable in both treatment groups. eGFR slope over the two-year period was -0.2 mL/min/1.73 m (95% confidence interval [CI] -3.0 to 2.7) in the voclosporin group and -5.4 mL/min/1.73 m (95% CI -8.4 to -2.3) in the control group. Improved proteinuria persisted across three years of treatment, leading to more frequent complete renal responses in patients treated with voclosporin (50.9% vs 39.0%; odds ratio 1.74; 95% CI 1.00-3.03).
CONCLUSION
Data demonstrate the safety and efficacy of long-term voclosporin treatment over three years of follow-up in patients with LN.
Topics: Humans; Lupus Nephritis; Immunosuppressive Agents; Cyclosporine; Mycophenolic Acid; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 37466424
DOI: 10.1002/art.42657 -
Arthritis & Rheumatology (Hoboken, N.J.) Mar 2024Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a multiorgan systemic inflammatory disorder, predominantly affects women during their reproductive years. In this review, we... (Review)
Review
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a multiorgan systemic inflammatory disorder, predominantly affects women during their reproductive years. In this review, we summarize the state of knowledge about preconception planning and management of SLE during pregnancy. Achieving remission or low disease activity for several months on medications compatible with pregnancy prior to conception is essential to decreasing the risk of disease flare and improving pregnancy outcomes, including pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, and intrauterine growth restriction. With close management and well-controlled disease before and during pregnancy, <10% of patients flare. All patients with SLE should remain on hydroxychloroquine unless contraindicated. Expectant mothers with a history of antiphospholipid syndrome should be treated with anticoagulant therapy during pregnancy. Women with anti-Ro/SSA or anti-La/SSB antibodies require additional monitoring because their offspring are at increased risk for congenital heart block. Patients with SLE should be offered low-dose aspirin starting at the end of the first trimester to reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia. Flares of SLE during pregnancy require escalation of therapy. The immunosuppressives azathioprine, tacrolimus, and cyclosporine are compatible with pregnancy, and biologic agents can also be considered. Glucocorticoid use in pregnancy should be limited to the lowest effective dose. Mycophenolate mofetil/mycophenolic acid, methotrexate, leflunomide, and cyclophosphamide are known to be teratogenic and are contraindicated in pregnancy. Distinguishing a flare of lupus nephritis during pregnancy from pre-eclampsia can be particularly challenging. Overall, outcomes in pregnancy for women with lupus are improving, but gaps in knowledge about optimal management strategies persist.
Topics: Pregnancy; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Female; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy Complications; Premature Birth; Pregnancy Outcome; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Antibodies, Antinuclear
PubMed: 37975160
DOI: 10.1002/art.42756 -
Arthritis Research & Therapy Jul 2023Many clinical trial results are available to inform best practices in the treatment of patients with connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease... (Review)
Review
Many clinical trial results are available to inform best practices in the treatment of patients with connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD).Herein, we summarize the results of clinical trials, including patient-reported outcome instruments, for the treatment of patients with ILD associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc/scleroderma), rheumatoid arthritis, and idiopathic inflammatory myositis, the diseases with the most available data. For SSc-ILD, the US Food and Drug Administration approved nintedanib (a tyrosine kinase inhibitor) in 2020 and subcutaneous tocilizumab (an IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibody) in 2021. Rituximab was recently shown to have similar efficacy but better tolerability than intravenous cyclophosphamide (CYC) for CTD-ILD therapy. Scleroderma Lung Study II, conducted in patients with SSc-ILD, showed that oral CYC and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) were comparable in their effects on lung function, but MMF was better tolerated. The increasing treatment armamentarium for patients with CTD-ILD offers physicians new opportunities to improve patient outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Lung Diseases, Interstitial; Connective Tissue Diseases; Cyclophosphamide; Mycophenolic Acid; Scleroderma, Systemic; Scleroderma, Localized; Lung
PubMed: 37422652
DOI: 10.1186/s13075-023-03090-y -
Journal of Personalized Medicine Dec 2023Kidney transplantation stands out as the optimal treatment for patients with end-stage kidney disease, provided they meet specific criteria for a secure outcome. With... (Review)
Review
Kidney transplantation stands out as the optimal treatment for patients with end-stage kidney disease, provided they meet specific criteria for a secure outcome. With the exception of identical twin donor-recipient pairs, lifelong immunosuppression becomes imperative. Unfortunately, immunosuppressant drugs, particularly calcineurin inhibitors like tacrolimus, bring about adverse effects, including nephrotoxicity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, infections, malignancy, leukopenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, mouth ulcers, dyslipidemia, and wound complications. Since achieving tolerance is not feasible, patients are compelled to adhere to lifelong immunosuppressive therapies, often involving calcineurin inhibitors, alongside mycophenolic acid or mTOR inhibitors, with or without steroids. : Notably, these drugs, especially calcineurin inhibitors, possess narrow therapeutic windows, resulting in numerous drug-related side effects. This review focuses on the prevalent immunosuppressive drug-related side effects encountered in kidney transplant recipients, namely nephrotoxicity, post-transplant diabetes mellitus, leukopenia, anemia, dyslipidemia, mouth ulcers, hypertension, and viral reactivations (cytomegalovirus and BK virus). Additionally, other post-kidney-transplantation drugs such as valganciclovir may also contribute to adverse events such as leukopenia. For each side effect, we propose preventive measures and outline appropriate treatment strategies.
PubMed: 38138933
DOI: 10.3390/jpm13121706 -
Clinics in Liver Disease Feb 2024The goal of autoimmune hepatitis treatment is to achieve clinical and biochemical remission, which is associated with significantly improved outcomes. Induction... (Review)
Review
The goal of autoimmune hepatitis treatment is to achieve clinical and biochemical remission, which is associated with significantly improved outcomes. Induction treatment with corticosteroids and the subsequent addition of steroid-sparing therapy with gradual tapering of corticosteroids remains the standard of care. Several alternatives to azathioprine and second-line agents, such as mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolimus, cyclosporine, sirolimus, or rituximab, have been evaluated in those with intolerance or inadequate response to standard-of-care therapy. Treatment withdrawal is achievable in less than 20% of patients after 2 years of sustained remission. Liver transplantation should be considered in those with progressive liver disease or those with complications such as hepatocellular carcinoma.
Topics: Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Hepatitis, Autoimmune; Mycophenolic Acid; Azathioprine; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 37945162
DOI: 10.1016/j.cld.2023.07.001 -
Transplantation Reviews (Orlando, Fla.) Apr 2024The complement system is part of innate immunity and is pivotal in protecting the body against pathogens and maintaining host homeostasis. Activation of the complement... (Review)
Review
The complement system is part of innate immunity and is pivotal in protecting the body against pathogens and maintaining host homeostasis. Activation of the complement system is triggered through multiple pathways, including antibody deposition, a mannan-binding lectin, or activated complement deposition. C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) is a rare glomerular disease driven by complement dysregulation with high post-transplantation recurrence rates. Its treatment is mainly based on immunosuppressive therapies, specifically mycophenolate mofetil and glucocorticoids. Recent years have seen significant progress in understanding complement biology and its role in C3G pathophysiology. New complement-tergeting treatments have been developed and initial trials have shown promising results. However, challenges persist in C3G, with recurrent post-transplantation cases leading to suboptimal outcomes. This review discusses the pathophysiology and management of C3G, with a focus on its recurrence after kidney transplantation.
Topics: Humans; Kidney Transplantation; Complement C3; Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative; Kidney Diseases; Mycophenolic Acid
PubMed: 38412598
DOI: 10.1016/j.trre.2024.100839 -
Obstetrics and Gynecology Apr 2024Pregnant patients are often on immunosuppressant medications, most commonly to manage transplantation or autoimmune disorders. Most immunosuppressant agents, including... (Review)
Review
Pregnant patients are often on immunosuppressant medications, most commonly to manage transplantation or autoimmune disorders. Most immunosuppressant agents, including tacrolimus, corticosteroids, azathioprine, and calcineurin inhibitors, are safe during pregnancy and lactation. However, mycophenolic acid is associated with higher risks of birth defects and should be avoided in pregnancy. Tacrolimus, the commonly used drug in transplantation medicine and autoimmune disorders, requires monitoring of serum levels for dose adjustment, particularly during pregnancy. Although no pregnancy-specific therapeutic range exists, the general target range is 5-15 ng/mL, and pregnant patients may require higher doses to achieve therapeutic levels. Adherence to prescribed immunosuppressive regimens is crucial to prevent graft rejection and autoimmune disorder flare-ups. This review aims to provide essential information about the use of immunosuppressant medications in pregnant individuals. With a rising number of pregnant patients undergoing organ transplantations or having autoimmune disorders, it is important to understand the implications of the use of these medications during pregnancy.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Tacrolimus; Immunosuppressive Agents; Organ Transplantation; Azathioprine; Autoimmune Diseases
PubMed: 38227938
DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000005512 -
Ophthalmology Dec 2023To determine the incidence of all-cause and cancer mortality (CM) in association with immunosuppression.
PURPOSE
To determine the incidence of all-cause and cancer mortality (CM) in association with immunosuppression.
DESIGN
Retrospective cohort study at ocular inflammatory disease (OID) subspecialty centers. We harvested exposure and covariate data retrospectively from clinic inception (earliest in 1979) through 2010 inclusive. Then we ascertained overall and cancer-specific mortalities by National Death Index linkage. We constructed separate Cox models to evaluate overall and CM for each class of immunosuppressant and for each individual immunosuppressant compared with person-time unexposed to any immunosuppression.
PARTICIPANTS
Patients with noninfectious OID, excluding those with human immunodeficiency infection or preexisting cancer.
METHODS
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors (mostly infliximab, adalimumab, and etanercept); antimetabolites (methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil, azathioprine); calcineurin inhibitors (cyclosporine); and alkylating agents (cyclophosphamide) were given when clinically indicated in this noninterventional cohort study.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Overall mortality and CM.
RESULTS
Over 187 151 person-years (median follow-up 10.0 years), during which 15 938 patients were at risk for mortality, we observed 1970 deaths, 435 due to cancer. Both patients unexposed to immunosuppressants (standardized mortality ratio [SMR] = 0.95, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.90-1.01) and those exposed to immunosuppressants but free of systemic inflammatory diseases (SIDs) (SMR = 1.04, 95% CI, 0.95-1.14) had similar mortality risk to the US population. Comparing patients exposed to TNF inhibitors, antimetabolites, calcineurin inhibitors, and alkylating agents with patients not exposed to any of these, we found that overall mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 0.88, 0.89, 0.90, 1.11) and CM (aHR = 1.25, 0.89, 0.86, 1.23) were not significantly increased. These results were stable in sensitivity analyses whether excluding or including patients with SID, across 0-, 3-, or 5-year lags and across quartiles of immunosuppressant dose and duration.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results, in a cohort where the indication for treatment was proven unassociated with mortality risk, found that commonly used immunosuppressants-especially the antimetabolites methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil, and azathioprine; the TNF inhibitors adalimumab and infliximab, and cyclosporine-were not associated with increased overall and CM over a median cohort follow-up of 10.0 years. These results suggest the safety of these agents with respect to overall and CM for patients treated with immunosuppression for a wide range of inflammatory diseases.
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S)
Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.
Topics: Humans; Retrospective Studies; Azathioprine; Methotrexate; Adalimumab; Calcineurin Inhibitors; Infliximab; Mycophenolic Acid; Cohort Studies; Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors; Immunosuppression Therapy; Immunosuppressive Agents; Cyclosporine; Antimetabolites; Alkylating Agents; Neoplasms
PubMed: 37499954
DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2023.07.023 -
Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology Aug 2023Before becoming a cornerstone in the treatment of numerous immune-mediated diseases, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) was first introduced as an immunosuppressive agent in... (Review)
Review
Before becoming a cornerstone in the treatment of numerous immune-mediated diseases, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) was first introduced as an immunosuppressive agent in transplant immunology and later received the attention of rheumatologists and clinicians involved in the management of autoimmune diseases. MMF is now a widespread immunosuppressive drug for the treatment of several conditions, including lupus nephritis, interstitial lung disease associated with systemic sclerosis, and anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis while being efficacious also as rescue therapy in various orphan diseases, including dermatomyositis and IgA-associated nephropathy. Similarly, case reports or series support a possible use of MMF in other rare autoimmune diseases. Beyond modulating lymphocyte activation, MMF acts on other immune and non-immune cells and these effects may explain the therapeutic profile of this medication. The effects of MMF are broadly characterized by the impact on the immune system and the antiproliferative and antifibrotic changes induced. In this latter case, mechanistic data on fibroblasts may in the future allow to reevaluate the use of MMF in selected patients with inflammatory arthritis or systemic sclerosis. Attention must be paid towards the possible occurrence of adverse events, such as gastrointestinal complaints and teratogenicity, while the risk of infections and cancer related to MMF needs to be further investigated.
Topics: Humans; Mycophenolic Acid; Autoimmunity; Immunosuppressive Agents; Lupus Nephritis; Scleroderma, Systemic
PubMed: 37338709
DOI: 10.1007/s12016-023-08963-3