Background: Addition of genetically engineered biological agents in the paradigm of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) treatment significantly increased the efficacy of the antirheumatic therapy in patients with

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Background. Immunological potency of 13-valent pneumococcal vaccine (PCV-13) in children with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) is still unstudied. Estimates of the genetically engineered biologic drugs (GEBD) effects on pneumococcal vaccination results also remain controversial.Objective. The aim of the study was to explore the PCV-13 efficacy in patients with SJIA and who is on treatment with monoclonal antibodies against interleukin 6 receptor (tocilizumab) and interleukin 8 receptor beta (canakinumab).Methods. The study included patients under the age of 18 with SJIA in remission or active form of disease vaccinated with PCV-13. The vaccine was administered in single dose of 0.5 ml intramuscularly in patients on treatment with GEBD or 3 weeks before GEBD administration for the first time (for patients with active disease). Vaccination was considered effective at achievement of the minimum protective level of antibodies to capsular polysaccharide of pneumococcus (anti-SPP IgG; ≥ 7 U/ml) or increase of anti-SPP IgG level ≥ 2 times in 4 weeks after vaccination. The anti-SPP IgG levels were measured with enzyme immunoassay.Results. The study included 53 patients (27 girls) in remission of SJIA and 25 (16 girls) in active disease. Median age was 13.3 and 10.8 years respectively. Tocilizumab/canakinumab was administrated in 43/10 and 18/7 patients respectively. Minimum significant anti-SPP IgG level and two-fold increase in anti-SPP IgG level were recorded in 49/53 (92%) and 32/53 (60%) patients with SJIA in remission, as well as in 22/25 (88%) and 18/25 (72%) patients in active disease respectively. PCV-13 immunological potency in patients with SJIA in remission and in active disease (in those who were initially administrated and who did not receive GEBD) did not differ.Conclusion. PCV-13 vaccination allows to achieve protective antibodies level in most of the patients with SJIA in children population regardless of the disease stage and the history of GEBD administration.

Background. To assign genetically engineered biologic drugs, we need data on the predictors for response to therapy. Prognostic factors for the response to tocilizumab in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) without systemic symptoms are poorly studied.Objective. Our aim was to reveal early predictors for the response to tocilizumab therapy in patients with JIA without systemic symptoms.Methods. A retrospective cohort study enrolled patients with JIA without systemic symptoms who received tocilizumab therapy between July 2009 and August 2017. We assessed the association between the initial demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters in patients and the best response (according to the ACR90 criteria) to treatment after a year.Results. The study included 95 (girls 85%) patients; the mean age was 10.3 (6.0; 13.6). During the first year of therapy, 71 (75%), 55 (58%), 38 (40%), and 22 (23%) patients achieved the improvement according to ACR30/50/70/90 criteria, respectively; 22 (23%) patients reached disease inactive stage according to the Wallace criteria. When performing multivariate analysis, the following improvement predictors were revealed based on the ACR90 criteria after a year of treatment: decrease in serum C-reactive protein level during the first month of therapy [odds ratio (OR) 1.024; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.007–1.051], decrease in disease activity score on the visual analogue scale according to the parent/patient assessment (OR 1.048; 95% CI 1.005–1.105), early onset of the disease (OR 0.38; 95% CI 0.16–0.72), persistent oligoarthritis according to the ILAR (OR 9.9; 95% CI 1.5–109.3). During the first year of tocilizumab administration, neutropenia was registered in one patient, leukopenia — in three cases, and urticaria — in one case.Conclusion. The variant of JIA, the age at the disease onset, and the disease course pattern in the first month of tocilizumab therapy are the predictors of treatment efficacy throughout the year.

BackgroundA significant number of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) patients discontinue biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) due to lack of efficacy or safety concerns. Studies of biologic therapy switch regimens in sJIA are required.MethodsPatients with sJIA who switched from tocilizumab (due to lack of efficacy or safety) to canakinumab (4 mg/kg every 4 weeks) and were hospitalized at the rheumatology department from August 2012 to July 2020 were included. Primary efficacy outcomes were 30% or greater improvement based on the paediatric criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR30), achievement of inactive disease (JADAS-71 = 0) and clinical remission (ACR sJIA clinical inactive disease criteria). Follow-up from time first canakinumab dose administered was 12 months or the closest time point (not less than 6 and not more than 18 months). Data were extracted from electronic outpatient medical records.ResultsDuring the study period, 46 patients with sJIA switched from tocilizumab to canakinumab. Median age at baseline was 8.2 [interquartile range (IQR) 4.0–12.9] years, with the median sJIA duration being 1.8 (IQR 0.8–5.8) years; 37 (80%) patients received at least one conventional DMARD (cDMARD; oral corticosteroids, methotrexate and/or cyclosporine A). Study outcomes were followed up in 45 patients (one patient did not attend the follow-up for an unknown reason); median follow-up was 359 (IQR 282–404) days. During the follow-up, 1 patient discontinued canakinumab due to tuberculosis detection and the dose was reduced or the injection interval increased in 4 (9%) patients. In total, 27 (60%) patients continued to receive at least one cDMARD. Improvement according to the ACR30 criteria was achieved in 43 patients [96%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 85–99], inactive disease in 42 (93%; 95%CI 82–98), and remission in 37 (82%; 95% CI 69-91); after adjustment for actual time-at-risk, the rates were 83, 85 and 73 events per 100 person-years, respectively. During follow-up, 23 AEs (most frequently infections) were reported in 19/45 (42%) patients; 5/45 (11%) patients developed macrophage activation syndrome, with a favorable outcome in all cases.ConclusionsOne-year canakinumab therapy was found to be potentially effective as second-line biologic therapy after discontinuation of tocilizumab in patients with sJIA.

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