Intravenous laser blood irradiation and tocilizumab in a patient with juvenile arthritis.
This study presents effects of intravenous laser blood irradiation (ILBI) in a transient immunodeficiency patient with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) treated with an interleukin-6 receptor inhibitor (Tocilizumab). Biological agents induce JIA remission, but some patients do not respond favorably to this final therapeutic line of defense. ILBI was performed in a 16-year-old male patient, with JIA and transient immunodeficiency. When ILBI was introduced, the patient was receiving disease-modifying drugs, steroids, tocilizumab, and physical therapy. Because the disease was not well controlled, ILBI was applied in addition to other ongoing therapies. The patient underwent 1 session daily, and 10 successive sessions per month, repeated every 3 months, for 7 months. Patient evaluation was performed before ILBI was started and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after ILBI initiation, using the ACR Pediatric response. The outcome was evaluated using Pediatric 50, 70, and 90 responses and compared to initial status, after 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. At the end of study, the titre of IgA and IgG levels returned to normal. Synergistic anti-inflammatory effect of ILBI was evident, if applied additionally in combination with tocilizumab, in a patient with a therapy-resistant severe form of JIA and related subacute transient immunodeficiency.
Faculty of Medicine, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania.
Dragos Andrei
0000-0003-1485-0543
DA
Chiran
Institute for Laser Therapy and Acupuncture, Sohnreystraße 6, 37697 Lauenförde, Germany.
Michael
M
Weber
Department of Medical Physics, "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University, 11 Carol I Boulevard, 700506 Iasi, Romania ; Laser Clinic, 83 Arcu Street, 700135 Iasi, Romania.
Laura Marinela
LM
Ailioaie
Faculty of Medicine, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania ; Second Pediatric Clinic, Street Mary Emergency Hospital for Children, 62 Vasile Lupu St., 700309 Iasi, Romania.
Eovelina
E
Moraru
Faculty of Medicine, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania ; Laser Clinic, 83 Arcu Street, 700135 Iasi, Romania ; Second Pediatric Clinic, Street Mary Emergency Hospital for Children, 62 Vasile Lupu St., 700309 Iasi, Romania.
Constantin
0000-0002-2306-1020
C
Ailioaie
Research Unit of Biomedical Engineering in Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine and TCM Research Center Graz, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 29, 8036 Graz, Austria.
Daniela
0000-0003-1883-3521
D
Litscher
Research Unit of Biomedical Engineering in Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine and TCM Research Center Graz, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 29, 8036 Graz, Austria.
Gerhard
0000-0001-6287-0130
G
Litscher