Synovial tissue response to treatment with Campath-1H.
OBJECTIVE
Therapeutic trials in rheumatoid arthritis with the monoclonal antibody Campath-1H have demonstrated recurrent clinical synovitis in some patients, despite profound depletion of circulating lymphocytes. This study was undertaken to examine the cellular infiltrates in synovial tissue at a time of persistent peripheral lymphopenia.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical staining of synovial tissue and peripheral blood lymphocyte phenotyping.


RESULTS
Synovial tissues from 2 patients with recurrent synovitis after Campath-1H therapy contained significant T lymphocytic infiltrates at a time when circulating T lymphocytes were markedly depleted.


CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate that peripheral blood analysis may not accurately reflect the synovial tissue response to monoclonal antibody therapy.
Ruderman
E M
EM
Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
Weinblatt
M E
ME
Thurmond
L M
LM
Pinkus
G S
GS
Gravallese
E M
EM
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018941:Antigens, CD19; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000628:therapy; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000032:analysis; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology; D000074301:CD52 Antigen; D006023:Glycoproteins; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007720:Knee Prosthesis; D008231:Lymphopenia / Q000209:etiology; D016612:Paraffin Embedding; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology
D015703:Antigens, CD; D018941:Antigens, CD19; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D017252:CD3 Complex; D000074301:CD52 Antigen; C000613862:CD52 protein, human; D006023:Glycoproteins