Beneficial effects of intensive plasma exchange followed by immunosuppressive therapy in severe Graves' ophthalmopathy

1986 ◽  
Vol 111 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Glinoer ◽  
J. Etienne-Decerf ◽  
M. Schrooyen ◽  
G. Sand ◽  
P. Hoyoux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Exchange ◽  
Primary Treatment ◽  
Immunosuppressive Drugs ◽  
Response To Therapy ◽  
Ocular Involvement ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Graves Ophthalmopathy ◽  
Soft Tissue Involvement ◽  
Subsequent Improvement

Abstract. Nine patients with severe Graves' ophthalmopathy were treated by intensive plasma exchange, followed by immunosuppression. Severity of ocular involvement and response to therapy were evaluated clinically by numerical scoring (ophthalmopathy index). Serum thyroid stimulating immunoglobulins (TSI) and urinary excretion of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) were measured immediately before and immediately after plasmapheresis. Plasma exchange was rapidly accompanied by marked clinical improvement in 8/9 patients. The most marked effects were on soft tissue involvement, proptosis, intraocular pressure, and visual acuity. The ophthalmopathy index decreased from 9.7 ± 4.1 to 5.7 ± 2.2 (P <0.001) after plasmapheresis. Serum TSI levels were initially elevated in 6 patients and remained positive in 3 patients after treatment. Urinary GAG excretion was initially 2- to 12-fold normal levels and was decreased by 60%. After plasmapheresis, patients received immunosuppressive drugs for 3–6 months. The follow-up period, after withdrawal of drugs, ranged from 5 to 38 months with a median of 17 months. The ocular condition remained stable in 6 patients. Three patients had a relapse 1 year after plasmapheresis: they were treated a second time by plasma exchange with subsequent improvement. In conclusion, intensive plasma exchange provided prompt and effective improvement in patients with severe progressive Graves' ophthalmopathy. This therapeutic procedure, followed by immunosuppression, gave long lasting results. Relapses were responsive to plasmapheresis therapy. The data suggest that plasma exchange may represent the best primary treatment for severe progressive Graves' ophthalmopathy

scholarly journals Orbital pseudotumor: a differential diagnosis of Graves' ophthalmopathy

2011 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciana Souza Cruz Caminha ◽  
Elisa Rebelo Pinto ◽  
Priscila Alves Medeiros de Sousa ◽  
Ricardo Andrade Oliveira ◽  
Flavia Lucia Conceiçao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Differential Diagnosis ◽  
Inflammatory Disease ◽  
Final Diagnosis ◽  
Response To Therapy ◽  
Orbital Pseudotumor ◽  
Graves Ophthalmopathy

The objective of this study is to report and discuss a rare and inflammatory cause of exophthalmos. This report describes a patient with exophthalmos, who was initially diagnosed with euthyroid Graves' with good response to therapy. After 8 years of follow-up, she had recurrence of symptoms and a new evaluation revealed the final diagnosis of orbital pseudotumor. Orbital pseudotumor is an uncommon disorder that both radiologically and clinically mimics a malignant process or other inflammatory disease, such as Graves' ophthalmopathy.

scholarly journals Improved (4 Plus 2) Rituximab Protocol for Severe Cases of Mixed Cryoglobulinemia: A 6-Year Observational Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 251-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dario Roccatello ◽  
Savino Sciascia ◽  
Simone Baldovino ◽  
Daniela Rossi ◽  
Mirella Alpa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Cryoglobulinemia ◽  
Immunosuppressive Drugs ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Skin Ulcers ◽  
Long Term Follow Up ◽  
Open Prospective Study ◽  
Large Skin

Background: In a prospective, single-center open study, we evaluated the very long-term effects of rituximab (RTX) administered to patients with severe mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC). Methods: RTX was administered to 31 patients with MC (type II in 29 cases and type III in 2) with diffuse membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (16 cases), peripheral neuropathy (26) and large skin ulcers (7). All but 4 patients had serum anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies. RTX was administered at a dose of 375 mg/m2, according to a ‘4 + 2' protocol (days 1, 8, 15 and 22 plus 1 dose 1 and 2 months later). No other immunosuppressive drugs were added. Response was evaluated over a very long-term follow-up (mean 72.47 months, range 30-148). Results: Complete remission of pretreatment active manifestations was observed in all cases of purpuric lesions and non-healing vasculitic ulcers, and in 80% of the peripheral neuropathies. Cryoglobulinemic nephropathy significantly improved during follow-up, starting from the 2nd month after RTX (serum creatinine from 2.1 ± 1.7 to 1.5 ± 1.6 mg/dl, p ≤ 0.05; 24-hour proteinuria from 2.3 ± 2.1 to 0.9 ± 1.9 g/24 h, p ≤ 0.05). Improvement of cryoglobulinemic serological hallmarks, such as cryocrit and low complement C4, were observed. No clinically relevant side effects were recorded. Re-induction with RTX was carried out in 9 relapsed patients after a mean of 31.1 months (12-54), again with beneficial effects. The survival rate was 75% at 6 years and the probability of remaining symptom-free for 10 years without any therapy was of about 60% after a single ‘4 + 2' infusion cycle, while the probability of living symptom-free 5 years after relapsing was 80% if given the same treatment. Conclusion: In this open, prospective study, RTX appeared to be very effective and safe in the treatment of the most severe cases of MC.

A New Era of Organ-Preserving Treatment in Pediatric Intraocular Retinoblastoma in Russia: A Multicenter Cohort Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Тatiana L. Ushakova ◽  
Igor A. Тrofimov ◽  
Оlga V. Gorovtsova ◽  
Аndrey A. Yarovoy ◽  
Svetlana V. Saakyan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Knife ◽  
Systemic Chemotherapy ◽  
Focal Therapy ◽  
Primary Treatment ◽  
Local Chemotherapy ◽  
Multicenter Cohort Study ◽  
Cancer Disease ◽  
Tumor Spread ◽  
Group D

Background.Retinoblastoma (RB) is a life threatening cancer disease. A breakthrough in the treatment of children with RB is associated with the improvement of conservative treatment that was administered in at least one of the two tumor-affected eyes in most bilateral cases, that was chemotherapy both systemic and local (selective intra-arterial and intravitreal) in most cases combined with laser therapy, cryotherapy, or brachytherapy. The development of such techniques as local chemotherapy is focused on preservation of visual functions, reducing the number of enucleations and radiotherapy (RT) course. The success of the healing of RB is closely associated with a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and treatment, as well as specialized longterm follow-up clinical examination.Objective.eye and vision preservation against large intraocular tumors with different growth types and localization without the course of remote radiation therapy was the main purpose.Methods.In the period from September 2012 to January 2016, the study enrolled 45 patients with RB when at least one eye had intraocular tumor spread corresponding to the group C or D. According to the ABC international classification, patients have a relatively good prognosis for organ-preserving treatment. 4 of 18 children with bilateral RB had undergone primary enucleation of worse eye the worst eye, group E; 49 (77.8%) of the 63 affected eyes had features for groups C and D. In this study, no patient received local chemotherapy initially, only after prior systemic chemotherapy. Selective intra-arterial chemotherapy (SIAC) was applied to 41 patients (45 eyes; mean course number was 2), and 32 patients (34 eyes) had undergone intravitreal chemo therapy (IViC) (mean course number was 2). Focal therapy and local chemotherapy were the main methods of treatment for progression (new lesions on the retina) in 8 (16.3%) of 49 eyes with tumors of group C (n=1) and D (n=7); the relapse in 14 of 49 (new lesions on the retina) in eyes with tumors of group C (n=5) and D (n=6) and (new lesions on the retina and the vitreous) in eyes with tumors of group D (n=3) (28.5%), and stabilization of disease n=23 (46.9%). We should note that 2 patients underwent repeated course of in case of systemic chemotherapy, 1 patient — a Gamma Knife procedure due to registered disease stabilization, progression or relapse.Results.10 (20.4%) of 49 eyes saved due to the combined chemotherapy. In 45 patients diseasefree survival rate was 56.1±8.9 % (with mean follow-up period 26.9±2.5 months). 1 of 45 patients died from leukemia. 44 of 45 patients are alive without metastasis. The mean follow-up was 20 months (3 to 43 months). Eye salvage rate in group C — 14 (93.3%) of 15, in group D — 31 (91.2%) of 34.Conclusion.These methods: second line of systemic chemotherapy, RT, and a Gamma Knife procedure should be considered as a failure of primary treatment. Our study demonstrated a high efficacy of local chemotherapy with promissing techniques of conservation therapy, which safety increases due to experience.

Short-Term Ultramicronized Palmitoylethanolamide Therapy in Patients with Myasthenia Gravis: a Pilot Study to Possible Future Implications of Treatment

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 232-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emanuela Onesti ◽  
Vittorio Frasca ◽  
Marco Ceccanti ◽  
Giorgio Tartaglia ◽  
Maria Cristina Gori ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Myasthenia Gravis ◽  
Repetitive Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Antibody Titers ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Ultramicronized Palmitoylethanolamide ◽  
Open Pilot

Background: The cannabinoid system may be involved in the humoral mechanisms at the neuromuscular junction. Ultramicronized-palmitoylethanolamide (μm-PEA) has recently been shown to reduce the desensitization of Acetylcholine (ACh)-evoked currents in denervated patients modifying the stability of ACh receptor (AChR) function. <p> Objective: To analyze the possible beneficial effects of μm-PEA in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) on muscular fatigue and neurophysiological changes. <p> Method: The duration of this open pilot study, which included an intra-individual control, was three weeks. Each patient was assigned to a 1-week treatment period with μm-PEA 600 mg twice a day. A neurophysiological examination based on repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) of the masseteric and the axillary nerves was performed, and the quantitative MG (QMG) score was calculated in 22 MG patients every week in a three-week follow-up period. AChR antibody titer was investigated to analyze a possible immunomodulatory effect of PEA in MG patients. <p> Results: PEA had a significant effect on the QMG score (p=0.03418) and on RNS of the masseteric nerve (p=0.01763), thus indicating that PEA reduces the level of disability and decremental muscle response. Antibody titers did not change significantly after treatment. <p> Conclusion: According to our observations, μm-PEA as an add-on therapy could improve muscular response to fatigue in MG. The possible modulation of AChR currents as a means of eliciting a direct effect from PEA on the conformation of ACh receptors should be investigated. The co-role of cytokines also warrants an analysis. Given the rapidity and reversibility of the response, we suppose that PEA acts directly on AChR, though further studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.

Arterite de Takayasu em Gestante: Relato de Caso / Takayasu Arteritis in Pregnancy: Case Report

1970 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 61-66
Author(s):  
Patrícia Resende Penido ◽  
Rhanna Junqueira Westin de Carvalho ◽  
Roger Willian Moraes Mendes
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Takayasu Arteritis ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Unknown Origin ◽  
Pregnant Patient ◽  
Immunosuppressive Drugs ◽  
Clinical Treatment ◽  
Satisfactory Outcome

RESUMOIntrodução: A Arterite de Takayasu (AT) consiste em uma vasculopatia de origem indefinida, sendo de caráter crônico, que afeta a aorta e seus ramos principais. Em gestantes é uma condição complexa, em que o tratamento clínico é realizado com restrições. A utilização de corticoides tem sido favorável no controle inflamatório, principalmente naqueles casos em que antes da gravidez se fazia uso de imunossupressores. Casuística: Foi relatado um caso de uma gestante portadora de AT, através da análise de prontuário e de exames complementares, sendo realizado o pré-natal pelas equipes de Obstetrícia e Reumatologia, onde foi realizado tratamento clínico com corticoides, mostrando uma evolução satisfatória, ocorrendo apenas uma hospitalização que foi seguida de uma cesárea na trigésima sexta semana de gravidez, com recém nato saudável de 3.810g. Discussão: A AT pode estar associada a várias etiologias, sendo a gênese pouco conhecida. O diagnóstico na maioria das vezes é demorado, pela dificuldade da suspeita clínica, além de demandar o uso de técnicas de imagem mais sofisticadas. A gestação associada é fenômeno raro, já que as portadoras são orientadas a evitarem a gravidez. O controle clínico permitiu uma gestação sem grandes complicações e serviu como meio para levar a gestação até praticamente o fim do terceiro trimestre. Conclusão: Deve-se ressaltar o papel do acompanhamento clínico, especialmente com esta pan-arterite, mostrando os medicamentos que podem ser utilizados nesse grupo, especialmente quando se usava imunossupressores antes da gravidez. Palavras chave: Arterite de Takayasu, Gravidez, Vasculite. ABSTRACT:Introduction: Takayasu's arteritis (TA) consists of a vascular disease of unknown origin and chronic nature, which affects the aorta and its main branches. In pregnant women it is a complex condition, in which the clinical treatment is performed with restrictions. The use of corticosteroids has been favorable to control inflammation, especially in those cases when immunosuppressant had been used before pregnancy. Case Report: A case of a pregnant patient with TA has been reported through the analysis of medical records and laboratory tests. The Obstetrics and Rheumatology staff performed the prenatal care, and clinical treatment with corticosteroids was done showing a satisfactory outcome. There was only one hospitalization of the patient, which was followed by a cesarean in the thirty sixth week of pregnancy.  The newborn was a healthy one, weighing 3.810g. Discussion: TA may be associated with several etiologies, and the genesis is little known. The diagnosis most often takes time due to the difficulty of clinical suspicion, and requires the use of more sophisticated imaging techniques. The pregnancy is rare phenomenon, since the carriers are advised to avoid pregnancy. The clinical management allowed a pregnancy without major complications and served as a means to carry the pregnancy to almost the end of the third quarter. Conclusion: The role of the clinical follow-up should be noticed especially with this pan-arteritis, showing the drugs that can be used in this group, especially when there is use of immunosuppressive drugs before pregnancy. Keywords: Takayasu Arteritis, Pregnancy, Vasculitis.

scholarly journals The beneficial effects of plasma exchange for treatment of acute kidney injury in minimal change nephrotic syndrome

2011 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-185
Author(s):  
Hideyo Oguchi ◽  
Marohito Murakami ◽  
Takashi Araki ◽  
Mariko Meguro ◽  
Akinori Hashiguchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Kidney Injury ◽  
Nephrotic Syndrome ◽  
Plasma Exchange ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Minimal Change Nephrotic Syndrome ◽  
Minimal Change ◽  
Beneficial Effects

scholarly journals New risk model is able to identify patients with a low risk of progression in systemic sclerosis

RMD Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. e001524
Author(s):  
Nina Marijn van Leeuwen ◽  
Marc Maurits ◽  
Sophie Liem ◽  
Jacopo Ciaffi ◽  
Nina Ajmone Marsan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Systemic Sclerosis ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Disease Progression ◽  
Risk Model ◽  
Immunosuppressive Drugs ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Expert Assessment ◽  
Risk Of Progression

ObjectivesTo develop a prediction model to guide annual assessment of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients tailored in accordance to disease activity.MethodsA machine learning approach was used to develop a model that can identify patients without disease progression. SSc patients included in the prospective Leiden SSc cohort and fulfilling the ACR/EULAR 2013 criteria were included. Disease progression was defined as progression in ≥1 organ system, and/or start of immunosuppression or death. Using elastic-net-regularisation, and including 90 independent clinical variables (100% complete), we trained the model on 75% and validated it on 25% of the patients, optimising on negative predictive value (NPV) to minimise the likelihood of missing progression. Probability cutoffs were identified for low and high risk for disease progression by expert assessment.ResultsOf the 492 SSc patients (follow-up range: 2–10 years), disease progression during follow-up was observed in 52% (median time 4.9 years). Performance of the model in the test set showed an AUC-ROC of 0.66. Probability score cutoffs were defined: low risk for disease progression (<0.197, NPV:1.0; 29% of patients), intermediate risk (0.197–0.223, NPV:0.82; 27%) and high risk (>0.223, NPV:0.78; 44%). The relevant variables for the model were: previous use of cyclophosphamide or corticosteroids, start with immunosuppressive drugs, previous gastrointestinal progression, previous cardiovascular event, pulmonary arterial hypertension, modified Rodnan Skin Score, creatine kinase and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide.ConclusionOur machine-learning-assisted model for progression enabled us to classify 29% of SSc patients as ‘low risk’. In this group, annual assessment programmes could be less extensive than indicated by international guidelines.

scholarly journals Rituximab-Containing Risk-Adapted Treatment Strategy in Nodular Lymphocyte Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma: 7-Years Follow-Up

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1760
Author(s):  
Novella Pugliese ◽  
Marco Picardi ◽  
Roberta Della Pepa ◽  
Claudia Giordano ◽  
Francesco Muriano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Hodgkin Lymphoma ◽  
Prognostic Score ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Response To Therapy ◽  
Baseline Risk ◽  
Historical Cohort ◽  
Treatment Groups

Background: Nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) is a rare variant of HL that accounts for 5% of all HL cases. The expression of CD20 on neoplastic lymphocytes provides a suitable target for novel treatments based on Rituximab. Due to its rarity, consolidated and widely accepted treatment guidelines are still lacking for this disease. Methods: Between 1 December 2007 and 28 February 2018, sixteen consecutive newly diagnosed adult patients with NLPHL received Rituximab (induction ± maintenance)-based therapy, according to the baseline risk of German Hodgkin Study Group prognostic score system. The treatment efficacy and safety of the Rituximab-group were compared to those of a historical cohort of 12 patients with NLPHL who received Doxorubicin, Bleomycin, Vinblastine, Dacarbazine (ABVD) chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy (RT), if needed, according to a similar baseline risk. The primary outcome was progression-free survival (PFS) and secondary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and side-effects (according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, v4.03). Results: After a 7-year follow-up (range, 1–11 years), PFS was 100% for patients treated with the Rituximab-containing regimen versus 66% for patients of the historical cohort (p = 0.036). Four patients in the latter group showed insufficient response to therapy. The PFS for early favorable and early unfavorable NLPHLs was similar between treatment groups, while a better PFS was recorded for advanced-stages treated with the Rituximab-containing regimen. The OS was similar for the two treatment groups. Short- and long-term side-effects were more frequently observed in the historical cohort. Grade ≥3 neutropenia was more frequent in the historical cohort compared with the Rituximab-group (58.3% vs. 18.7%, respectively; p = 0.03). Long-term non-hematological toxicities were observed more frequently in the historical cohort. Conclusion: Our results confirm the value of Rituximab in NLPHL therapy and show that Rituximab (single-agent) induction and maintenance in a limited-stage, or Rituximab with ABVD only in the presence of risk factors, give excellent results while sparing cytotoxic agent- and/or RT-related damage. Furthermore, Rituximab inclusion in advanced-stage therapeutic strategy seems to improve PFS compared to conventional chemo-radiotherapy.

scholarly journals AB0786 HUGHES–STOVIN SYNDROME: A PECULIAR AUTOIMMUNE ORIGIN OF PULMONARY ANEURYSMS

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1418.2-1419
Author(s):  
P. Triggianese ◽  
A. D’antonio ◽  
B. Kroegler ◽  
A. Ascoli Marchetti ◽  
L. Belvivere ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Ct Angiography ◽  
Early Recognition ◽  
Endovascular Embolization ◽  
Ocular Involvement ◽  
Arterial Aneurysm ◽  
Filter Placement ◽  
Invasive Approach ◽  
Oral Ulcers

Background:Hughes-Stovin Syndrome (HSS) is a rare potentially fatal vasculitis supposedly belonging to the spectrum of Behçet disease without ocular involvement. HSS tends to play by a temporal pattern, starting with thrombosis and followed by formation of pulmonary aneurysms. Since its mortality can reach 25% of cases, the early recognition and the appropriate therapy represent the major challenges.Objectives:In this report, we aimed at describing a rare case of HSS successfully treated in accordance with a prompt combined management with endovascular approach and immunosuppressive treatments.Methods:We described a Caucasian 33-year-old man presented to the Emergency Room of our Hospital with hemoptysis associated with dyspnea and chest pain, without fever and hypotension, with a 2-year history of painful genital and oral ulcers. Blood test revealed anemia, elevated white cell count with increased C-reactive protein (77 mg/L) and D-dimer (2740 ng/mL). Doppler ultrasonography of legs showed thrombosis of the left femoral vein, while CT-angiography reported multiple aneurysms of the pulmonary arteries. An early and extensive work-up for infections and autoimmunity did not document relevant abnormalities. An appropriate genetic assessment revealed the HLA-B51 positivity. The patient immediately underwent endovascular embolization with coils and plugs of the largest pulmonary aneurysm, and inferior vena cava filter placement. Then, he started methylprednisolone (1 mg/kg/day) IV for three days in association with LMWH (6000 IU/day). Prednisone (1 mg/kg/day) in combination with cyclophosphamide (100 mg daily) were started orally, with tapering of steroids within a month. At the tight follow up (1 month and 3 months later), no genital and oral ulcers nor vascular thrombosis occurred, and acute phase reactants were in normal range. The 3-month-CT angiography showed a complete resolution of the aneurysms and no new changes.Results:The peculiar diagnosis of HLAB51 positive HSS with multiple pulmonary aneurysms was made. The appropriate imaging followed by a prompt endovascular embolization of aneurysms with LMWH treatment were successfully performed. Interestingly, the oral combination therapy with corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide showed a rapid efficacy with a relevant safety profile. At the tight follow up, the young man improved significantly with clinical signs and pulmonary changes (Figure 1 next page).Conclusion:This case is of interest because of the early recognition of such a rare disease that allowed an adequate combined radiological, vascular, and rheumatologic approach. In our case, LMWH resulted useful in preventing the pulmonary embolism, despite the use of anticoagulants is still debated in HSS. Moreover, the endovascular embolization let a less invasive approach to surgery without the need for multiple surgical procedures. For the first time, we documented that oral cyclophosphamide showed an early efficacy as a first line therapy of a HLA-B51 HSS.References:[1]Keskin M, Polat G, Ayranci A, et al. Insidious Hughes Stovin Syndrome: Journey From Pulmonary Embolism to Pulmonary Arterial Aneurysm. Turk Thorac J. 2020;21:350-353.[2]Valdés-Corona LF, Kimura-Hayama E, Méndez-Cano VH, et al. Hughes-Stovin syndrome: an uncommon cause of pulmonary aneurysms. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2020;59:2183-2184.Figure 1.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

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