Published in:
01-05-2007 | Case Report
Urticaria and angiedema-like skin reactions in a patient treated with adalimumab
Authors:
S. N. Nikas, P. V. Voulgari, A. A. Drosos
Published in:
Clinical Rheumatology
|
Issue 5/2007
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Abstract
Specific inhibition of the cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha has resulted in significant clinical and laboratory improvement of patients with chronic inflammatory diseases of Th1 phenotype. Etanercept is a recombinant fusion protein of two p75 soluble receptors, while infliximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody. Both have been considered to be immunogenic and cause various immune-mediated skin reactions. On the other hand, adalimumab, a human monoclonal antibody, was expected to cause little or no immune-mediated skin reactions. Herein, we report a patient with rheumatoid arthritis treated with adalimumab, who after the seventh injection, developed angiedema affecting the lips and face, as well as an urticaria-like skin reaction affecting the trunk. These reactions were followed by hypotension. The patient was treated appropriately and after 2 h, the rashes and the edema disappeared and the patient gradually recovered completely. Adalimumab was discontinued.