Abstract
Background
Psoriatic arthritis requires early recognition and treatment for prevention of disease progression. Conventional disease modifying drugs are first-line agents followed by biologic DMARDs for patients with active disease. TNF-alpha blockers are first line biologic agents in the UK. Th17 inhibitors are used since the elucidation of Th17 pathway. Safety and efficacy profiles of biologic agents inhibiting the Th17 pathway, including secukinumab (IL-17A) and ustekinumab (IL-12/23p40) have been studied.
Methods
We report a case of carcinoid syndrome in a lady on etanercept for psoriatic arthritis, carcinoid as a potential TNF alpha side effect. We also report safety of Th17 (secukinumab) inhibitors in the patient to date (>1 year).
Results
A female with a history of acne rosacea, was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis in 2000 age 32. Initial sulphasalazine failed, then received methotrexate until 2011, when her arthritis flared. She was commenced on etanercept which proved effective. After 4 years of etanercept and methotrexate, her liver profile became deranged. Investigations off treatment included ultrasound abdomen demonstrating a liver mass, which resembled focal nodular hyperplasia on magnetic resonance imaging. Further screening revealed high urinary 5HIAA (527 umol/24h) and raised chromogranin A & B levels (1574 pmol/L and 373 pmol/L respectively). She had no symptoms suggestive of carcinoid, although facial flushing could have been camouflaged by her rosacea. Octreotide scan was positive, CT enterogram showed a distal ileal neuroendocrine tumour with adjacent lymphadenopathy. She underwent right hemihepatectomy and hemicolectomy. Her liver profile deteriorated again on methotrexate, leflunomide was ineffective. In November 2017 she was started on ustekinumab, which was ineffective and was withdrawn after 8 months. There was no alteration in carcinoid blood markers and no CT changes. In July 2018, she was commenced on secukinumab, which has allowed reduction in steroids. The patient is aware of lack of safety data in her circumstances. Regular surveillance has shown no recurrence of carcinoid with serial negative 5HIAA and chromogranin levels. There are no progressive CT changes at 1 year.
Conclusion
This is a case of carcinoid tumour occurring on TNF-alpha blockers and may represent a rare complication. Screening biomarkers including 5HIAA and chromogranin levels can be useful if disease is suspected. We could not find other similar case reports to guide further management. Within time limited data available - ustekinumab had no effect on the carcinoid. Th17 inhibitors can be safe options for treating psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis with highly sustained efficacy and favourable safety profile seen in large clinical trials. In this case, after > one year of secukinumab treatment - there is no adverse effect on carcinoid syndrome.
Disclosures
A.S.F. Sheikh None. S.G. Srivastva None. F. Wood None.
The effectiveness and safety of TNF-alpha blockers in the treatment of early psoriatic arthritis: an Italian multicentre longitudinal observational pilot study