Infliximab for the treatment of refractory polyarteritis nodosa

We describe herein the patients ’ characteristics, clinical manifestations, severity and response to infliximab treatment and review the current literature. Complete remission was defined as the absence of features of active disease and withdrawal of prednisone therapy. Significant improvement was defined as clinical improvement and prednisone dose reduction of at least 50% or a 50% reduction in immune modulatory medications other than prednisone. After 4 months of treatment, 8/9 (89%) patients achieved significant improvement, with two of them achieving complete remission. We suggest that anti-TNF agents, and in particul ar infliximab, are relatively safe and efficacious treatment options in refractory PAN. A randomized controlled trial should be done in order to objectively evaluate infliximab in PAN.
Source: Clinical Rheumatology - Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research