Predictors of response to TNF-α antagonist therapy in Chinese rheumatoid arthritis

Clin Rheumatol. 2015 Jul;34(7):1203-10. doi: 10.1007/s10067-015-2973-3. Epub 2015 May 20.

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the clinical, immunological, and radiologic predictors of response to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α antagonist therapy in Chinese rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Ninety RA patients were divided into two groups according to their responsiveness to TNF-α antagonist therapy at 1 month: group A (responders) and group B (non-responders). After 3 months of therapy, all the 90 patients were re-assessed and re-divided into another two groups: group C (responders) and group D (non-responders). Serum samples and clinical characteristics as well as radiographic features were collected at baseline, first month, and third month post-initial administration of TNF-α antagonist. Serum TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-34, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Disease activity and Sharp score were evaluated. (1) Comparisons between groups A and B: subjects in group A showed a lower level of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and a higher level of albumin (ALB) at baseline than that of group B (p < 0.05). The cutoff value of ALB for prediction was ≥34.9 g/l and that of ESR was ≤55.5 mm/h. (2) Comparisons between groups C and D: group C showed lower levels of ESR, health assessment questionnaire (HAQ), and IL-34 at baseline (p < 0.05). The threshold for prediction were as follows: ESR ≤60 mm/h, HAQ ≤1.3125, and IL-34 ≤194.12 pg/ml. (3) The serum cytokines were positively correlated with C-reactive protein (CRP) and disease activity index, while ALB was negatively correlated with CRP and disease activity. Baseline ALB ≥34.9 g/l or ESR ≤55.5 mm/h might predict a good response at 1-month treatment of TNF-α antagonist, while baseline ESR ≤60 mm/h, HAQ ≤1.3125, and IL-34 ≤194.12 pg/ml might predict a good response at 3-month treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Albumins / metabolism
  • Antirheumatic Agents / chemistry
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / metabolism
  • Blood Sedimentation
  • C-Reactive Protein / metabolism
  • China
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / blood
  • Interleukin-8 / blood
  • Interleukins / blood
  • Male
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 / blood
  • Middle Aged
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Albumins
  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • IL34 protein, human
  • Interleukin-6
  • Interleukin-8
  • Interleukins
  • TNF protein, human
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • C-Reactive Protein
  • MMP3 protein, human
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 3