Title

Efficacy and safety of adrenocorticotropic hormone gel in refractory dermatomyositis and polymyositis

Publication Date

2018

Journal Title

Ann Rheum Dis

Abstract

© 2018 author(s). Aim To evaluate the efficacy, safety, tolerability and steroid-sparing effect of repository corticotropin injection (RCI), in an open-label clinical trial, in refractory adult polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM). Methods Adults with refractory PM and DM were enrolled by two centres. Inclusion criteria included refractory disease defined as failing glucocorticoid and/or ≥1 immunosuppressive agent, as well as active disease defined as significant muscle weakness and >2 additional abnormal core set measures (CSMs) or a cutaneous 10 cm Visual Analogue Scale score of ≥3 cm and at least three other abnormal CSMs. All patients received RCI of 80 units subcutaneously twice weekly for 24 weeks. The primary end point for the trial was the International Myositis Assessment and Clinical Studies definition of improvement. Secondary end points included safety, tolerability, steroid-sparing as well as the 2016 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European League Against Rheumatism myositis response criteria (EULAR) Results Ten of the 11 enrolled subjects (6 DM, 4 PM) completed the study. Seven of 10 met the primary end point of efficacy at a median of 8 weeks. There was a significant decrease in prednisone dose from baseline to conclusion (18.5 (15.7) vs 2.3 (3.2); P10% and the physician global by >40%. RCI was considered safe and tolerable. No patient developed significant weight gain or an increase of haemoglobin A1c or cushingoid features. Conclusion Treatment with RCI was effective in 70% of patients, safe and tolerable, and led to a steroid dose reduction in patients with adult myositis refractory to glucocorticoid and traditional immunosuppressive drugs. Trial registration number NCT01906372; Results.

Volume Number

77

Issue Number

5

Pages

720 - 727

Document Type

Article

Status

Faculty

Facility

School of Medicine

Primary Department

Rheumatology

PMID

29237618

DOI

10.1136/annrheumdis-2017-212047

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