title: Treatment of early and refractory dermatomyositis with infliximab: a report of two cases.
abstract: The idiopathic inflammatory myopathies embody the largest group of acquired and potentially treatable causes of skeletal muscle weakness. The three major groups of this disorder are polymyositis (PM), dermatomyositis (DM), and inclusion body myositis. Corticosteroids continue to be the mainstay of initial treatment in the majority of cases of PM/DM. The treatment of refractory disease can be challenging despite the utilization of the medications currently available. We report two patients with refractory DM who were treated with infliximab. We describe their presentation, clinical course, treatment, and outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Section of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Louisiana State University School of Medicine, LSU Medical Center, 1542 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
authors.forename: Sylvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dold
authors.forename: Maria E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Justiniano
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marquez
authors.forename: Luis R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Espinoza
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006886:Hydroxychloroquine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069285:Infliximab; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006886:Hydroxychloroquine; D000069285:Infliximab; D011241:Prednisone; D008775:Methylprednisolone