Rilonacept use in lupus pericarditis.

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Immunology
• Cardiology

Background:

• Lupus pericarditis affects 22% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
• It is associated with poorer outcomes and often necessitates immunosuppressive therapy.
• The efficacy of rilonacept, an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, in lupus pericarditis is not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of rilonacept in treating patients with refractory lupus pericarditis.
• To report findings from a case series of lupus pericarditis patients treated with rilonacept.

Main Methods:

• A case series of 4 patients with refractory lupus pericarditis was described.
• Patients were treated at the Johns Hopkins Lupus Center.
• Refractory lupus pericarditis was defined as persistent or recurring pericardial pain despite standard immunosuppressive treatment.

Main Results:

• All 4 patients were women, aged 26-44 years.
• Rilonacept led to complete resolution of pericardial symptoms in 3 patients and partial resolution in 1 patient within 2 weeks.
• Two patients had previously shown only a temporary response to anakinra.

Conclusions:

• Rilonacept demonstrated successful treatment of lupus pericarditis in this case series.
• Rilonacept may be a viable therapeutic option for managing lupus pericarditis.
• Further investigation into rilonacept for lupus pericarditis is warranted.