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.
Second Medical Department, University Hospital Schleswig Holstein, Kiel, Germany. fmoosig@aol.com
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F
Moosig
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R
Zeuner
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C
Renk
J O
JO
Schröder
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