IL-1RA in refractory systemic lupus erythematosus.
There is evidence from animal and human studies that IL-1 might play an important role in the development and maintainence of inflammation in systemic lupus erythemathosus (SLE). We hypothesized that, in SLE, there might be a relative deficiency in the physiologic antagonist of IL-1, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA). We therefore treated three patients with active SLE in whom conventional therapy has failed with the human IL-1RA, Anakinra. In two of the three patients there was a transient effect on muscle pain and/or polyarthritis. In one patient with lupus myositis there was no effect at all. The therapy was well tolerated and the only significant side effect was a transient drop in complement levels (C3 and C4) without clinical or laboratory signs of increased SLE activity in all three patients.
Moosig
F
F
Second Medical Department, University Hospital Schleswig Holstein, Kiel, Germany. fmoosig@aol.com
Zeuner
R
R
Renk
C
C
Schröder
J O
JO
D000328:Adult; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017472:Receptors, Interleukin-1 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; C507763:IL1RN protein, human; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D017472:Receptors, Interleukin-1; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins