Pilot study of tocilizumab monotherapy for active chronic periaortitis. Issue 1 (28th March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Anqi; Peng, Linyi; Zhou, Jiaxin; Liu, Zheng; Lu, Hui; Peng, Yu; Li, Jieqiong; Fei, Yunyun; Zhang, Wen
• Is Part Of: RMD open. Volume 9:Issue 1(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-03-28
• Subjects: autoimmunity -- autoimmune diseases -- anti-inflammatory agents, non-steroidal -- inflammation -- low back pain; Musculoskeletal system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Rheumatism -- Periodicals; 616.7005
• DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2023-003007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2056-5933

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: To investigate the effectiveness and safety of TCZ (tocilizumab) monotherapy for chronic periaortitis (CP) patients at acute active stage. Methods: Twelve patients with definite or possible diagnosis of CP were enrolled and received intravenous infusions of TCZ (8 mg/kg) every 4 weeks for at least 3 months. Clinical features, laboratory and imaging findings were recorded at baseline and during the follow-up. The primary endpoint was the rate of partial and complete remission after 3 months TCZ monotherapy and the secondary endpoint was the frequency of treatment related adverse events. Results: Three patients (27.3%) achieved partial remission and seven patients (63.6%) obtained complete remission after 3 months TCZ treatment. The total remission rate achieved 90.9%. All patients reported improvement in clinical symptoms. Inflammatory markers such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C reactive protein decreased to normal levels after TCZ treatment. Nine patients (81.8%) showed remarkable shrinkage of perivascular mass greater than or equal to 50% on CT. Conclusion: Our study showed that TCZ monotherapy contributed to remarkable clinical and laboratory improvement in CP patients and could be an alternative treatment option for CP.