scholarly journals Rituximab Induction and Maintenance in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis: State of the Art and Future Perspectives

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (17) ◽  
pp. 3773
Author(s):  
Elena Treppo ◽  
Marco Binutti ◽  
Roberto Agarinis ◽  
Salvatore De Vita ◽  
Luca Quartuccio
Keyword(s):  
Maintenance Therapy ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Vascular Wall ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The Past ◽  
Anca Associated Vasculitis ◽  
Risk Of Malignancy ◽  
Cell Repopulation ◽  
New Onset

Antineutrophil cytoplasmatic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is a group of rare autoimmune diseases characterized by inflammation of the vascular wall. The pathogenesis of AAV is strongly associated with B cell-derived ANCAs; thus, Rituximab (RTX) has become a promising drug in the induction and maintenance treatment of AAV. The purpose of this review is to describe the efficacy and safety of RTX in the induction of remission and maintenance therapy of AAV. Herein, we summarize the randomized controlled trials that have contributed to the refinement of the use of RTX in AAV in the past decades. RTX has been proven to be effective both in new-onset disease and in relapsing disease. Although the optimal duration of AAV maintenance therapy remains unknown, the ANCAs and the B-cell repopulation may offer support for the administration of further RTX cycles (or not). The safety of RTX is comparable with cyclophosphamide, with the advantage of a low risk of malignancy and no concern for fertility. In conclusion, RTX now plays an important role in the induction and maintenance therapy of AAV. Optimizing RTX-based treatment strategies in AAV is one of the main goals of the current research in AAV.

P0286B CELL REPOPULATION AFTER REMISSION INDUCTION WITH RITUXIMAB IN NEWLY DIAGNOSED PATIENTS WITH ANCA-ASSOCIATED VASCULITIS: DOES ONE SIZE FIT ALL?

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Salviani ◽  
Alessandra Gina Gregorini ◽  
Guido Jeannin ◽  
Federico Alberici ◽  
Giovanni Cancarini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Maintenance Therapy ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Clinical Diagnosis ◽  
Cell Depletion ◽  
Remission Induction ◽  
B Cell Depletion ◽  
Cell Recovery ◽  
Anca Associated Vasculitis ◽  
Cell Repopulation

Abstract Background and Aims Rituximab (RTX) is one of the mainstays of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) treatment. Nevertheless, studies specifically addressing the B cell repopulation in AAV patients after remission induction with RTX are still scanty and with conflicting results. Moreover, the role of B cell monitoring in the management of RTX-based maintenance therapy still remains to be fully elucidated. In this study, we evaluated B cell repopulation after a single course of RTX in treatment-naïve patients with AAV. Method We included all consecutive patients with new diagnosis of AAV from December 2009 to December 2017, treated with a single course of RTX for remission induction, with a follow-up ≥12 months. B cell recovery, re-treatment for relapse or rise in ANCA titer and scheduled re-treatment were considered as the termination of observation period. B cell count was performed by flow cytometry (Beckman Coulter Navios©) every 2 weeks during the 1st month, every 4 weeks until the 6th month, then every 12 weeks. B cell recovery was defined as CD19 count ≥10 cells/μl. Results Seventy-four patients (38% M, 62% F) met the inclusion criteria. Mean age was 63±21 years. MPA, GPA and EGPA were diagnosed in 49 (66%), 24 (33%) and 1 (1%) patients, respectively. ANCA were positive in 65 (88%) patients, with 50 (68%) anti-MPO and 15 (20%) anti-PR3. Overall median follow-up was 40 months (IQR 25-60). All patients achieved remission and complete B cell depletion after RTX. Twenty-two (31%) patients received plasma-exchange and 20 (29%) steroid pulses. Maintenance therapy with azathioprine or methotrexate was started in 10 (14%) patients. Seventeen (23%) patients received re-treatment with RTX (10 patients for relapses, the remaining cases for B cell recovery and/or a rise in ANCA titre or scheduled re-treatment). B cell recovery was observed in 39 (53%) patients, after a median time of 27 months (IQR 20-38). Particularly, only 7% of patients recovered B cells at 12 months (Figure 1). Univariate analysis showed significant correlation of persistent B-cell depletion with diagnosis of MPA vs GPA (p<0.001), ANCA anti-MPO vs anti-PR3 (p=0.009), higher serum creatinine (p<0.0001) and older age (p=0.004) (Figure 2). Sex, plasma-exchange at induction, steroid pulses, cumulative dose of RTX and maintenance therapy did not affect B cell recovery. Multivariate analysis confirmed significant association between B cell recovery and better renal function (RR 2.655, IC 1.254-5.615, p= 0.011) and clinical diagnosis of GPA (RR 2.466, IC 1.211-5.021, p=0.013). Conclusion After a single course of RTX for remission induction, we observed a very long-lasting B cell depletion in the large majority of our patients. Clinical diagnosis of MPA and a worse renal function were significantly correlated to persistent B cell depletion. These data question the need for scheduled RTX re-treatments in all AAV patients regardless of clinical diagnosis and features.

The Year in Review: Cardiology

2001 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-40
Author(s):  
Cynthia A. Sanoski
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Cardiac Arrhythmias ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Review Article ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The Past ◽  
Disease States

Overall, the evolution of the management of a broad spectrum of cardiovascular disease states has occurred primarily as a result of randomized, controlled clinical trials that have been conducted and published over time. During the past two years, the results of numerous clinical trials have certainly had a significant impact on the ways in which practitioners have treated conditions such as chronic heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, ischemic heart disease, dyslipidemias, and hypertension. This review article summarizes the results of several key clinical trials that evaluated various treatment strategies for these five cardiovascular disease states and attempts to provide insight as to how these findings can be incorporated into clinical practice.

scholarly journals THU0040 PROTEINASE 3-REACTIVE B CELL RECONSTITUTION AFTER TREATMENT WITH RITUXIMAB FOR ANCA-ASSOCIATED VASCULITIS

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 233.1-233
Author(s):  
A. Berti ◽  
S. Hillion ◽  
A. Hummel ◽  
E. Carmona ◽  
T. Peikert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Proteinase 3 ◽  
Research Support ◽  
Color Flow ◽  
Anca Associated Vasculitis ◽  
Cell Repopulation

Background:Proteinase 3 (PR3)-reactive B cells are present in PR3-ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) at levels higher than healthy controls.Objectives:To evaluate the dynamics of the PR3-reactive B cell repopulation in patients with PR3-AAV after treatment with rituximab, and to analyze possible associations between these immunological changes and long-lasting remissions.Methods:We analyzed all available frozen peripheral blood mononuclear cells (n=148) from 23 randomly-selected PR3-AAV patients who participated in the RAVE trial and achieved complete remission (BVAS=0, prednisone=0) after treatment with rituximab.We measured PR3-reactive B cells and the relative subsets by a multi-color flow cytometry panel including CD19, IgD, CD27, CD38, CD24, and a biotinylated PR3 revealed by fluorescent streptavidin. The clinical data of the trial were correlated with flow-cytometry data.Results:10/23 (43%) patients relapsed during the follow up, 8/10 relapses were severe. At baseline, clinical features, PR3-ANCA levels, % of total PR3-reactive B cells and PR3-reactive B cell subsets were similar between relapsers and non-relapsers. All patients were followed until the end of the trial, for a mean of 44 months (25-75%IQR 31-54), without difference in follow-up time between relapsers and non-relapsers (p=0.98).The majority of patients had B cell repopulation at 12 (range 12-24) months after rituximab. At the time of B cell repopulation, transitional (CD19+CD24+CD38+) and naïve (CD19+CD27+IgD-) B cells were higher compared to baseline, while total plasmablasts (PB) were unchanged, and mature B cells significantly decreased in both relapsers and non relapsers. PR3-reactive B cells reappeared in all the patients, and the % of PR3-reactive of B cells were higher at the B cell repopulation visit compared to baseline (5.82% vs 4.25%, p<0.05), while total B cells were lower (66/μL vs 151/μL, p<0.01), regardless of future relapse.Within PR3-reactive B cells, only the % of PB (CD19+CD27+CD38+PR3+) were higher in relapsers vs. non-relapsers (median [25-75%IQR]; 1.95% [1.315-3.845] vs 0.84% [0.05-1.66], p=0.022) and severe relapsers vs non-severe relapsers (2.165% [1.66-4.315] vs 0.84% [0.1-1.74], p=0.015). Time-to-relapse and time-to severe-relapse were significantly shorter in patients with circulating PR3-PB higher than the median value of the cohort (1.6%) during B cell reconstitution (Figure 1A-B).Conclusion:In PR3-AAV, during B cell reconstitution after rituximab, the total fraction of PR3-B cells increases, due to the expansion of the transitional and naïve B cell compartments. Circulating PR3-PB within PR3-B cells are enriched in the peripheral blood of relapsing and severely relapsing patients compared to non-relapsing patients. Higher levels of PR3-PB after rituximab during B cell reappearance significantly increased the risk of subsequent relapse and severe relapse.References:[1]Cornec D, Berti A, Hummel A, et al. J Autoimmun. 2017Disclosure of Interests:Alvise Berti: None declared, Sophie Hillion: None declared, Amber Hummel: None declared, Eva Carmona: None declared, Tobias Peikert: None declared, Carol Langford: None declared, Peter A. Merkel: None declared, Paul Monach: None declared, Philip Seo: None declared, Robert Spiera Grant/research support from: Roche-Genetech, GSK, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chemocentryx, Corbus, Forbius, Sanofi, Inflarx, Consultant of: Roche-Genetech, GSK, CSL Behring, Sanofi, Janssen, Chemocentryx, Forbius, Mistubishi Tanabe, E. William St. Clair: None declared, Fernando Fervenza: None declared, Kristina Harris: None declared, John H. Stone Grant/research support from: Roche, Consultant of: Roche, Jacques-Olivier Pers: None declared, Ulrich Specks: None declared, Divi Cornec: None declared

scholarly journals OP0057 A PERSONALISED RITUXIMAB RETREATMENT APPROACH BASED ON CLINICAL AND B-CELL BIOMARKERS IN ANCA-ASSOCIATED VASCULITIS

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 30.1-30
Author(s):  
J. Arnold ◽  
E. Vital ◽  
S. Dass ◽  
A. Aslam ◽  
A. Rawstron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Complete Response ◽  
Clinical Relapse ◽  
Research Support ◽  
Anca Associated Vasculitis ◽  
Time To Relapse ◽  
Cell Repopulation

Background:Time-to-relapse after rituximab for ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) is variable and optimal retreatment strategy has been unclear. We previously showed that repopulation of naïve B-cells at 6 months predicts sustained response [1].Objectives:In AAV following rituximab induction, to evaluate clinical and B-cell predictors of relapse in order to develop a retreatment algorithm.Methods:An observational study was conducted in 60 rituximab-treated AAV patients followed for over 10 years. Complete response (CR) was defined as Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score v3.0 = 0. Retreatment was given on clinical relapse, defined as new features or worsening of persistent disease (not by biomarker status). Peripheral B-cell subsets were measured using highly sensitive flow cytometry. Predictors were tested using multivariable Cox-Regression.Results:Median times-to-retreatment for rituximab cycles 1-5 were 87, 71, 65, 59 and 86 weeks. Over 417 patient-years follow-up, 137 relapses occurred in 50 patients; 16 (in 14 patients) were major (renal=7, neurological=4, ENT=3 and respiratory=2). The major-relapse rate was 3.8/100 patient-years. In multivariable analysis, concomitant immunosuppressant [HR 0.48 (95% CI 0.24–0.94)], achieving CR [0.24 (0.12–0.50)] and naïve B-cell repopulation at 6 months [0.43 (0.22–0.84)] were associated with longer time-to-relapse. Higher baseline memory B-cells [1.01 (1.00–1.02)] were associated with a shorter time-to-relapse. AUROC for prediction of time-to-relapse was greater if guided by naïve B-cell repopulation than if ANCA and/or CD19+ return at 6 months had been used, 0.82 and 0.52 respectively.Conclusion:These data suggest that all patients should receive concomitant oral immunosuppressant. Those with incomplete response or with absent naïve B-cells should be retreated at 6 months. Patients with complete response and naïve repopulation at 6 months should not receive fixed retreatment. This algorithm could reduce hypogammaglobulinaemia due to unnecessary retreatment.Figure 1.A personalised retreatment algorithm for rituximab in ANCA-associated vasculitisReferences:[1]Md Yusof et al. Annals of rheumatic diseases (2015) PMID: 25854586.Disclosure of Interests:Jack Arnold: None declared, Edward Vital Speakers bureau: Roche, GSK and AstraZeneca, Consultant of: Roche, GSK and AstraZeneca, Grant/research support from: Roche, GSK and AstraZeneca, Shouvik Dass Speakers bureau: Roche and GSK, Aamir Aslam: None declared, Andrew Rawstron: None declared, Sinisa Savic: None declared, Paul Emery Speakers bureau: BMS, Abbott, Pfizer, MSD, Novartis, Roche and UCB, Consultant of: BMS, Abbott, Pfizer, MSD, Novartis, Roche and UCB, Grant/research support from: Abbott, BMS, Pfizer, MSD and Roche., Md Yuzaiful Md Yusof: None declared

scholarly journals Proteinase-3-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (PR3-ANCAs) predict relapses in ANCA–associated vasculitis patients after rituximab

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura S van Dam ◽  
Ebru Dirikgil ◽  
Edwin W Bredewold ◽  
Argho Ray ◽  
Jaap A Bakker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Organ Damage ◽  
Cell Depletion ◽  
Remission Induction ◽  
Proteinase 3 ◽  
B Cell Depletion ◽  
Anca Associated Vasculitis ◽  
Therapeutic Decision Making ◽  
Cell Repopulation

Abstract Background The primary challenge of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) patient care is the early detection of relapses to prevent organ damage and increase survival. Potential biomarkers for relapses are ANCA and B cells, but their predictive value is a matter of debate. Therefore this study investigated how ANCA and B-cell status related to relapses in AAV patients treated with rituximab (RTX) as remission induction (RI). Methods This single-centre cohort study identified 110 ANCA-positive AAV patients treated with RTX between 2006 and 2018. Serial ANCA, CD19+ B-cell status and relapses were assessed &gt;2 years. Results Patients (31/110) relapsed within 2 years after RTX RI treatment. Patients who achieved and maintained PR3-ANCA negativity (n = 29) had few relapses (3%), while persistent proteinase 3 (PR3)-ANCA positivity (n = 49) and reappearance of PR3-ANCAs (n = 10) associated significantly with more relapses (37%, P = 0.002 and 50%, P = 0.002). Patients with incomplete B-cell depletion (n = 11) had significantly more relapses (54%) as compared with patients with B-cell depletion [n = 76 (26%), P = 0.02]. Also, patients with repopulation of B cells (n = 58) had significantly more relapses (41%) as compared with patients without B-cell repopulation [n = 27 (15%), P = 0.03]. Overall, the absence of PR3- or myeloperoxidase (MPO)-ANCA positivity was highly predictive for remaining relapse-free. In PR3-ANCA-positive patients, 96% of the relapses occurred with persistent or reappearance of PR3-ANCAs and 81% with B-cell repopulation. In MPO-ANCA-positive patients, all relapses were restricted to patients with persistent MPO-ANCAs and B-cell repopulation. Conclusions Upon RI treatment with RTX in AAV patients, ANCA and B-cell status were predictive of the majority of relapses and specifically their absence strongly predicted a relapse-free status. Therefore the implementation of ANCA and B-cell monitoring could guide therapeutic decision-making to prevent relapses in AAV patients treated with RTX.

New Paradigms to Help Decisions in Treatment Choice: Head to Head Trial of Biological Therapies in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Loy ◽  
Gionata Fiorino ◽  
Giulia Roda ◽  
Mariangela Allocca ◽  
Federica Furfaro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Research ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The Past ◽  
Appropriate Treatment ◽  
Real Life Setting ◽  
Bowel Diseases ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel

: The increasing armamentarium of drugs for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) requires a direct comparison of different therapeutic options in order to guide physicians in the choice of the most appropriate treatment for their patients. Head-to-head trials, considered the gold standard in comparative research in IBD, allow to compare different therapies in the same population and setting, but also to evaluate different treatment strategies. Despite head-to-head trials including biologics and immunosuppressive therapy in IBD have been performed decades ago, the interest of these direct comparison is growing since the publication of the first randomized controlled trial directly comparing biologic agents with different molecular targets. This review provides an overview of the past and current IBD head-to-head trial, considering their respective strengths and limitations in a real-life setting.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document