Clinical outcomes in sarcoidosis after cessation of infliximab treatment.
OBJECTIVE
Infliximab appears to be efficacious for the treatment of recalcitrant forms of sarcoidosis. However, there are minimal data concerning the course of sarcoidosis once infliximab is discontinued.


METHODS
Clinical outcomes in patients who had received infliximab and had discontinued it for at least 2 months were analysed retrospectively. The severity of involvement of the index organ from the time of discontinuation of infliximab was compared with that at the end of the follow-up period.


RESULTS
Fourteen patients with sarcoidosis who had been treated with infliximab and had discontinued this therapy were identified. Before discontinuation of infliximab, 9 of the 14 patients (64%) responded to infliximab treatment and only one (7%) deteriorated. Patients who discontinued infliximab were followed for a mean of 12 months. At the end of the follow-up period, 12 of the 14 patients (86%) had deteriorated as compared with their status at the time of discontinuation of infliximab and two (14%) had remained stable. Kaplan-Meier analysis of time to clinical deterioration showed that half the patients deteriorated within 3 months of discontinuing infliximab. Patients who had discontinued infliximab appeared to be more likely to have their dose of prednisone increased.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with recalcitrant sarcoidosis who receive infliximab appear likely to deteriorate after discontinuation of this medication.
Panselinas
Efstratios
E
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA. spanselinas@yahoo.gr
Rodgers
J Keith
JK
Judson
Marc A
MA
D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000069285:Infliximab