Successful treatment of anti-MDA5 antibody-positive refractory interstitial lung disease with plasma exchange therapy. (27th August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Abe, Yoshiyuki; Kusaoi, Makio; Tada, Kurisu; Yamaji, Ken; Tamura, Naoto
• Is Part Of: Rheumatology. Volume 59:Number 4(2020)
• Page Start: 767
• Page End: 771
• Publication Date: 2019-08-27
• Subjects: plasma exchange -- single-filtration plasmapheresis -- anti-MDA5 antibody -- rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease; Rheumatism -- Periodicals; Rheumatology -- Periodicals; 616.723005
• DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kez357
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1462-0324

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: We examined the effectiveness of plasma exchange (PE) therapy to reduce the mortality of rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-ILD) in patients positive for anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) antibodies. Methods: Among 142 patients newly diagnosed with PM/DM or clinically amyopathic DM from 2008 to 2019 at our hospital, 10 were diagnosed with refractory RP-ILD and were positive for anti-MDA5 antibodies. PE was used as an adjunct to standard therapy and consisted of fresh frozen plasma as replacement solution. The primary outcome was non-disease-specific mortality. Results: Anti-MDA5 antibodies were detected in 28 patients, of whom 21 were diagnosed with RP-ILD and 10 were refractory to intensive immunosuppressive therapy. Six patients received PE (PE group) and four did not (non-PE group). The 1-year survival rate of the PE group was higher than that of the non-PE group (100% and 25%, respectively, P = 0.033). Regarding adverse events associated with PE, two patients had anaphylactic shock, one had high fever due to fresh frozen plasma allergy and one had a catheter infection. All adverse events resolved with appropriate treatment. Conclusion: We evaluated the association between 1-year survival rate and PE for refractory RP-ILD in patients positive for anti-MDA5 antibodies. Intensive immunosuppressive therapy improved the survival rate in RP-ILD patients with anti-MDA5 antibodies, but 20–30% of cases were still fatal. PE could be administered to patients with active infectious disease who were immunocompromised by intensive immunosuppressive therapy. PE may be considered in refractory RP-ILD patients positive for anti-MDA5 antibodies.