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1.
Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Peficitinib 25, 50, 100, and 150 mg in Patients with Active Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Lee, YH, Song, GG
Clinical drug investigation. 2020;(1):65-72
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Peficitinib, a JAK3-selective inhibitor that blocks the signal transduction and then suppresses immune responses, has been developed for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We assessed the relative efficacy and safety of once-daily administration of peficitinib (a JAK3-selective inhibitor) 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, and 150 mg in patients with active RA. METHODS A Bayesian network meta-analysis was conducted to combine direct and indirect evidence from eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The literature search was performed up to May 2019 using MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. RESULTS Three RCTs involving 948 patients met the inclusion criteria. There were ten pairwise comparisons, including five direct comparisons and five interventions. The American College of Rheumatology 20% (ACR20) response rate was significantly higher in the peficitinib 150-mg group than in the placebo group (odds ratio (OR): 3.61; 95% credible interval (CrI): 2.35-5.57). Similarly, the ACR20 response rate was significantly higher in the peficitinib 100-mg group than in the placebo group (OR: 2.33, 95% CrI: 1.51-3.56). The peficitinib 50-mg group had a significantly higher ACR20 response rate than the placebo group. However, the ACR20 response rate was not significantly higher in the peficitinib 25-mg group than in the placebo group. The ranking probability based on the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) indicated that peficitinib 150 mg was likely to achieve the best ACR20 response rate (SUCRA = 0.995), followed by peficitinib 100 mg (SUCRA = 0.696), peficitinib 50 mg (SUCRA = 0.558), peficitinib 25 mg (SUCRA = 0.153), and placebo (SUCRA = 0.098). The ACR50 and ACR70 response rates showed a similar distribution pattern to the ACR20 response rate. The difference in the number of patients with adverse events (AEs) among the intervention groups was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Peficitinib 50, 100, and 150 mg once daily was effective in treating active RA, without causing a significant risk for AEs.
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2.
All-Trans Retinoic Acid Inhibits Migration and Invasiveness of Rheumatoid Fibroblast-Like Synoviocytes.
Mosquera, N, Rodriguez-Trillo, A, Blanco, FJ, Mera-Varela, A, Gonzalez, A, Conde, C
The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics. 2020;(2):185-192
Abstract
Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) are pivotal in inflammation and joint damage of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). They acquire an active and aggressive phenotype, displaying increased migration and invasiveness and contributing to perpetuate synovial inflammation and destruction of cartilage and bone. The main current therapies of RA are focused against inflammatory factors and immune cells; however, a significant percentage of patients do not successfully respond. Combined treatments with drugs that control inflammation and that reverse the pathogenic phenotype of FLS could improve the prognosis of these patients. An unexplored area includes the retinoic acid, the main biologic retinoid, which is a candidate drug for many diseases but has reached clinical use only for a few. Here, we explored the effect of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on the aggressive phenotype of FLS from patients with RA. RA FLSs were treated with ATRA, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), or TNF+ATRA, and cell migration and invasion were analyzed. In addition, a microarray analysis of expression, followed by gene-set analysis and quantitative polymerase chain reaction validation, was performed. We showed that ATRA induced a notable decrease in FLS migration and invasion that was accompanied by complex changes in gene expression. At supraphysiological doses, many of these effects were overridden or reverted by the concomitant presence of TNF. In conclusion, these results have demonstrated the therapeutic potential of retinoic acid on RA FLS provided TNF could be counterbalanced, either with high ATRA doses or with TNF inhibitors. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) reduced the rheumatoid arthritis (RA) fibroblast-like synoviocyte migration and invasiveness and down-regulated gene expression of cell motility and migration genes. At supraphysiological doses, some of these effects were reverted by tumor necrosis factor. Therefore, ATRA could be an RA drug candidate that would require high doses or combined treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs.
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3.
Updated pharmacological management of rheumatoid arthritis for women before, during, and after pregnancy, reflecting recent guidelines.
Murray, KE, Moore, L, O'Brien, C, Clohessy, A, Brophy, C, Minnock, P, FitzGerald, O, Molloy, ES, Mongey, AB, Higgins, S, et al
Irish journal of medical science. 2019;(1):169-172
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease which can cause significant disability, morbidity, mortality, and impaired fertility. It commonly affects women of childbearing age. Managing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the perinatal period poses challenges. There is concern about the teratogenic effects of many traditional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and an ever-growing list of new therapeutic options with limited data in pregnancy and breastfeeding. AIMS We aimed to create a standardized approach to pharmacological management of RA patients seen in our newly established Rheumatology and Reproductive Health Service. METHODS We reviewed relevant publications on the use of anti-rheumatic drugs in pregnancy. These include recent guidelines from The British Society for Rheumatology (BSR) and British Health Professionals in Rheumatology (BHPR) and the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR). RESULTS After considering relevant publications, we developed a Saint Vincent's University Hospital/National Maternity Hospital consensus protocol for evidence-based medication in pregnancy in RA. CONCLUSIONS RA tends to improve during pregnancy and flare postpartum. Several anti-rheumatic medication options during pregnancy and breastfeeding are now available including anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agents. Good disease control at all stages of reproduction is important to ensure best outcome for both mother and baby.
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4.
Oligomeric S100A4 Is Associated With Monocyte Innate Immune Memory and Bypass of Tolerance to Subsequent Stimulation With Lipopolysaccharides.
Neidhart, M, Pajak, A, Laskari, K, Riksen, NP, Joosten, LAB, Netea, MG, Lutgens, E, Stroes, ESG, Ciurea, A, Distler, O, et al
Frontiers in immunology. 2019;:791
Abstract
Objectives: Most DAMPs in inflammatory diseases are TLR2- and TLR4-ligands and according to the current concept, repeated stimuli would result in tolerance. Aims of the study were to verify this assumption, to investigate whether epigenetic effectors are involved and to explore the situation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: A trained immunity (TI) and tolerance protocol was established using peripheral blood monocytes from healthy donors, β-glucan and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The training or tolerance capacities of RA-relevant DAMPs were tested. Results: β-Glucan-, oS100A4-, HMBG1-, and HSP90-pretreated monocytes showed increased IL-6 responses to LPS re-stimulation. β-Glucan, oS100A and tenascin C induced training of monocytes to release more TNFα. In comparison to β-glucan, most DAMPs tested induced less TI, with exception of oS100A4. Monocytes exposed to oS100A4 showed increased IL-1β, IL-6, and TNFα in response to LPS, in spite that both stimulate TLR4. RNASEq upon β-glucan or oS100A4 revealed similar changes in chemokines/cytokines and epigenetic effectors; 17 epigenetic effectors correlated with chemokine/cytokine gene expression; PRDM8 was associated with more chemokine and cytokine transcripts. Knockdown of PRDM8 abolished TI induced by oS100A4. In RA, plasma S100A4 correlated with increased CSF2, and increased PRDM8 transcription in RA monocytes was associated with increased plasma CCL5 and IL-6, as well as therapy-resistance. Conclusion: Bypass of tolerance by DAMPs might be a phenomenon as important as TI, since it could explain how chronic inflammation can be maintained in spite of an environment with multiple TLR2/TLR4-ligands. In RA monocytes, a PRDM8-dependent TI mechanism could be responsible for sustained chemokine/cytokines levels.
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5.
Methotrexate an Old Drug with New Tricks.
Bedoui, Y, Guillot, X, Sélambarom, J, Guiraud, P, Giry, C, Jaffar-Bandjee, MC, Ralandison, S, Gasque, P
International journal of molecular sciences. 2019;(20)
Abstract
Methotrexate (MTX) is the first line drug for the treatment of a number of rheumatic and non-rheumatic disorders. It is currently used as an anchor disease, modifying anti-rheumatic drug in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Despite the development of numerous new targeted therapies, MTX remains the backbone of RA therapy due to its potent efficacy and tolerability. There has been also a growing interest in the use of MTX in the treatment of chronic viral mediated arthritis. Many viruses-including old world alphaviruses, Parvovirus B19, hepatitis B/C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus-have been associated with arthritogenic diseases and reminiscent of RA. MTX may provide benefits although with the potential risk of attenuating patients' immune surveillance capacities. In this review, we describe the emerging mechanisms of action of MTX as an anti-inflammatory drug and complementing its well-established immunomodulatory activity. The mechanisms involve adenosine signaling modulation, alteration of cytokine networks, generation of reactive oxygen species and HMGB1 alarmin suppression. We also provide a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of MTX toxic effects. Lastly, we discussed the efficacy, as well as the safety, of MTX used in the management of viral-related rheumatic syndromes.
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6.
The structure, specificity and function of anti-citrullinated protein antibodies.
Ge, C, Holmdahl, R
Nature reviews. Rheumatology. 2019;(8):503-508
Abstract
In this Perspectives article, we outline a proposed model for understanding the specificity and function of anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs). We suggest that ACPAs vary in specificity between two extremes: some are 'promiscuous' in that they are highly specific for the citrulline side chain, but cross-react with a range of citrullinated peptides, whereas others are 'private' in that their recognition of citrulline as well as proximal amino acid side chains enables protein-specific interactions. Promiscuous ACPAs tend to dominate in the sera both before and after the onset of rheumatoid arthritis, but their functional role has not been clarified. No firm evidence exists that these ACPAs are pathogenic. By contrast, private ACPAs encompass antibodies that specifically recognize citrullinated epitopes on joint proteins or that cross-react with joint proteins, thereby opening up the possibility that these private ACPAs are arthritogenic. These joint-reactive antibodies are more likely to target joints by binding to joint tissues and to promote the formation of local immune complexes leading to bone erosions, pain and arthritis.
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7.
Tackling Pain Associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Proton-Sensing Receptors.
Sun, WH, Dai, SP
Advances in experimental medicine and biology. 2018;:49-64
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), characterized by chronic inflammation of synovial joints, is often associated with ongoing pain and increased pain sensitivity. Chronic pain that comes with RA turns independent, essentially becoming its own disease. It could partly explain that a significant number (50%) of RA patients fail to respond to current RA therapies that focus mainly on suppression of joint inflammation. The acute phase of pain seems to associate with joint inflammation in early RA. In established RA, the chronic phase of pain could be linked to inflammatory components of neuron-immune interactions and noninflammatory components. Accumulating evidence suggests that the initial inflammation and autoimmunity in RA (preclinical RA) begin outside of the joint and may originate at mucosal sites and alterations in the composition of microbiota located at mucosal sites could be essential for mucosal inflammation, triggering joint inflammation. Fibroblast-like synoviocytes in the inflamed joint respond to cytokines to release acidic components, lowering pH in synovial fluid. Extracellular proton binds to proton-sensing ion channels, and G-protein-coupled receptors in joint nociceptive fibers may contribute to sensory transduction and release of neurotransmitters, leading to pain and hyperalgesia. Activation of peripheral sensory neurons or nociceptors further modulates inflammation, resulting in neuroinflammation or neurogenic inflammation. Peripheral and central nerves work with non-neuronal cells (such as immune cells, glial cells) in concert to contribute to the chronic phase of RA-associated pain. This review will discuss actions of proton-sensing receptors on neurons or non-neuronal cells that modulate RA pathology and associated chronic pain, and it will be beneficial for the development of future therapeutic treatments.
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8.
Analysis of Sodium Chloride Intake and Treg/Th17 Lymphocytes in Healthy Individuals and Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis or Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
Vitales-Noyola, M, Layseca-Espinosa, E, Baranda, L, Abud-Mendoza, C, Niño-Moreno, P, Monsiváis-Urenda, A, Rosenstein, Y, González-Amaro, R
Journal of immunology research. 2018;:9627806
Abstract
We assessed different immune parameters in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with low (LSI) and high (HSI) sodium intake. Thirty-eight patients with RA, thirty-seven with SLE, and twenty-eight healthy subjects were studied and classified as LSI or HSI. Levels and suppressive function of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ and CD4+CD69+Foxp3- Treg cells were determined by flow cytometry in blood samples. Levels and in vitro differentiation of Th17 cells were also assessed. Similar levels of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ and CD4+CD69+Foxp3- Treg cells were observed in LSI and HSI patients or controls. However, a positive correlation was detected between sodium intake and levels of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cells in SLE and a negative association between CD4+CD69+Foxp3- Treg cells and sodium intake in RA. No other significant associations were detected, including disease activity and sodium intake. Moreover, the suppressor activity of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ and CD4+CD69+Foxp3- Treg cells was similar in LSI and HSI patients or controls. The levels and in vitro differentiation of Th17 cells were also similar in LSI and HSI individuals. Our results suggest that, in the population studied (Mexican mestizo), the level of sodium intake is not apparently associated with different relevant immune parameters in healthy subjects or patients with SLE or RA.
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9.
Review: Synovial Cell Metabolism and Chronic Inflammation in Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Falconer, J, Murphy, AN, Young, SP, Clark, AR, Tiziani, S, Guma, M, Buckley, CD
Arthritis & rheumatology (Hoboken, N.J.). 2018;(7):984-999
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Abstract
Metabolomic studies of body fluids show that immune-mediated inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are associated with metabolic disruption. This is likely to reflect the increased bioenergetic and biosynthetic demands of sustained inflammation and changes in nutrient and oxygen availability in damaged tissue. The synovial membrane lining layer is the principal site of inflammation in RA. Here, the resident cells are fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) and synovial tissue macrophages, which are transformed toward overproduction of enzymes that degrade cartilage and bone and cytokines that promote immune cell infiltration. Recent studies have shown metabolic changes in both FLS and macrophages from RA patients, and these may be therapeutically targetable. However, because the origins and subset-specific functions of synoviocytes are poorly understood, and the signaling modules that control metabolic deviation in RA synovial cells are yet to be explored, significant additional research is needed to translate these findings to clinical application. Furthermore, in many inflamed tissues, different cell types can forge metabolic collaborations through solute carriers in their membranes to meet a high demand for energy or biomolecules. Such relationships are likely to exist in the synovium and have not been studied. Finally, it is not yet known whether metabolic change is a consequence of disease or whether primary changes to cellular metabolism might underlie or contribute to the pathogenesis of early-stage disease. In this review article, we collate what is known about metabolism in synovial tissue cells and highlight future directions of research in this area.
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10.
Combining Biologics in Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Other Immune Mediated Inflammatory Disorders.
Hirten, RP, Iacucci, M, Shah, S, Ghosh, S, Colombel, JF
Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology : the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association. 2018;(9):1374-1384
Abstract
Current therapies used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are not effective in all patients. Biologic agents result in approximately 40% remission rates at 1 year in selected populations, prompting a growing interest in combining biologic therapy to improve outcomes. There are limited published data regarding the efficacy and safety of combination targeted therapy in IBD specifically, which include only 1 exploratory randomized control trial and 3 case reports or series. This review evaluates the published literature regarding this therapeutic paradigm in IBD and its extensive utilization in the treatment of other immune-mediated inflammatory disorders. The combination of biologic therapies demonstrates variable degrees of efficacy and highlights some safety concerns, depending upon the agents used and the disease state treated. A trial (Clinical Trials.gov Identifier: NCT02764762) combining vedolizumab and adalimumab is currently underway evaluating the effectiveness and safety of this approach in patients with Crohn's disease, which should provide further insight into this treatment concept. While combination biologic therapy is an attractive strategy, the lack of consistent superior efficacy as well as safety concerns militates the need for further trials prior to its general application in IBD.