Is anti-TNF switching in refractory Still's disease safe and effective?

Clin Rheumatol. 2011 Aug;30(8):1129-34. doi: 10.1007/s10067-011-1735-0. Epub 2011 Apr 5.

Abstract

Still's disease (SD) is a rare chronic inflammatory disease characterized by polyarthritis, systemic symptoms, and elevated inflammatory markers. Of note, 74 SD cases were reported with anti-tumoral necrosis factor (TNF) therapy and the experience of switching is limited to five patients. During a 3-year period, SD cases were 1.9% of 319 rheumatic patients that received anti-TNF agents in the infusion center of our University Hospital. In this manuscript, the authors add six new cases of refractory SD who had clinical and laboratory response to TNF blockers and report the outcome of switching in five of them. Partial or complete response was achieved by four of six (66.7%) patients and three of four (75%) required switching. Regarding safety, five of six (83.3%) had adverse events. Anti-TNF treatment with switching seems to be a valid approach for refractory SD patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects*
  • Antirheumatic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Drug Resistance
  • Drug Substitution*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Still's Disease, Adult-Onset / drug therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha