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Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Salivary Glands for Sjogren's Syndrome: Diagnostic and Monitoring Insights
Published on: October 13, 2023
Infliximab in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome: a pilot study
S D Steinfeld1, P Demols, I Salmon
1Department of Rheumatology, Erasme University Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium. ssteinfe@ulb.ac.be
Arthritis and Rheumatism
|October 23, 2001
Summary
Infliximab effectively treated active primary Sjögren
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) is a key inflammatory cytokine in Sjögren's syndrome (SS) pathogenesis.
- Blocking TNFalpha may reduce disease activity in SS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the safety and efficacy of infliximab, an anti-TNFalpha monoclonal antibody, in patients with active primary SS.
Main Methods:
- Open-label pilot study involving 16 patients with active primary SS.
- Administered 3 infusions of infliximab (3 mg/kg) at 0, 2, and 6 weeks.
- Evaluated clinical, ophthalmologic, and salivary flow parameters at multiple time points.
Main Results:
- Significant improvements observed in global assessments, inflammatory markers (ESR), salivary flow, and ocular dryness (Schirmer I test).
- Clinical benefits appeared by week 2 and persisted throughout the study and follow-up.
- Infliximab was well-tolerated with no significant adverse events or lupus-like syndrome.
Conclusions:
- A loading dose regimen of infliximab demonstrated rapid and significant clinical benefits in active primary SS.
- The treatment was safe and well-tolerated, with sustained improvements observed.
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