Takayasu's arteritis progression on anti-TNF biologics: a case series

Clin Rheumatol. 2011 May;30(5):703-6. doi: 10.1007/s10067-010-1658-1. Epub 2011 Jan 11.

Abstract

Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is a rare granulomatous vasculitic disease that affects the aorta and its major branches. Recent studies have suggested that anti-TNFα biological therapies are highly effective in treating TA refractory to conventional immunosuppressive therapy. We describe two patients with TA: one with progressive TA despite management with two different anti-TNFα agents, infliximab and adalimumab, and another who developed TA while treated with infliximab for the management of pre-existing Crohn's disease. From our observations, we believe that a multicentered randomized study should be designed to assess the extent of resistance to these agents when different therapeutic doses are employed for managing TA.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adalimumab
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Biological Products / therapeutic use*
  • Crohn Disease / drug therapy*
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Infliximab
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Remission Induction
  • Takayasu Arteritis / therapy*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / biosynthesis

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Biological Products
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Infliximab
  • Adalimumab