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Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research article

IL-6 blockade in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis – achievement of inactive disease and remission (data from the German AID-registry)

Authors: M. Bielak, E. Husmann, N. Weyandt, J.-P. Haas, B. Hügle, G. Horneff, U. Neudorf, T. Lutz, E. Lilienthal, T. Kallinich, K. Tenbrock, R. Berendes, T. Niehues, H. Wittkowski, E. Weißbarth-Riedel, G. Heubner, P. Oommen, J. Klotsche, Dirk Foell, E. Lainka

Published in: Pediatric Rheumatology | Issue 1/2018

Abstract

Background

Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) is a complex disease with an autoinflammatory component of unknown etiology related to the innate immune system. A major role in the pathogenesis has been ascribed to proinflammatory cytokines like interleukin-6 (IL-6), and effective drugs inhibiting their signaling are being developed. This study evaluates sJIA patients treated with the IL-6 inhibitor tocilizumab (TCZ) concerning clinical response rate, disease course and adverse effects in a real-life clinical setting.

Methods

In 2009 a clinical and research consortium was established, including an online registry for autoinflammatory diseases (AID) (https://aid-register.de). Data for this retrospective TCZ study were documented by 13 centers.

Results

From 7/2009 to 4/2014, 200 patients with sJIA were recorded in the AID-registry. Out of these, 46 (19 m, 27 f, age 1–18 years) received therapy with TCZ. Long term treatment (median 23 months) has been documented in 24/46 patients who were evaluated according to Wallace criteria (active disease 6/24, inactive disease 5/24, remission 13/24 cases). Under observation co-medication were used in 40/46 cases. Adverse events were reported in 11/46 patients. The clinical response rate (no clinical manifestation, no increased inflammation parameters) within the first 12 weeks of treatment was calculated to be 35%.

Conclusion

Out of 200 sJIA children reported in the German AID-registry, 46 were treated with TCZ, showing a clinical response rate of 35% during the first 12 weeks, and inactive disease and/or remission under medication in 75% after one year. Adverse events were seen in 24% and severe adverse events in 4%.

Trial registration

The AID-Registry is funded by the BMBF (01GM08104, 01GM1112D, 01GM1512D).

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Title: IL-6 blockade in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis – achievement of inactive disease and remission (data from the German AID-registry)
Authors: M. Bielak
E. Husmann
N. Weyandt
J.-P. Haas
B. Hügle
G. Horneff
U. Neudorf
T. Lutz
E. Lilienthal
T. Kallinich
K. Tenbrock
R. Berendes
T. Niehues
H. Wittkowski
E. Weißbarth-Riedel
G. Heubner
P. Oommen
J. Klotsche
Dirk Foell
E. Lainka
Publication date: 01-12-2018
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Pediatric Rheumatology / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1546-0096
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12969-018-0236-y

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

IL-6 blockade in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis – achievement of inactive disease and remission (data from the German AID-registry)

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Trial registration

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Trial registration

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