Rituximab, a Safer Option for Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Comparison of the Reported Adverse Events of Approved Monoclonal Antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), which are commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA), have been linked to a variety of adverse events (AEs). The objective of the study was to compare the safety profiles of six FDA approved mAbs (sarilumab, tocilizumab, adalimumab, golimumab, infliximab, and rituximab) marketed for the treatment of RA. A systematic review of the literature was conducted using the databases PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Science Direct. The manuscript comprised a total of 23 clinical studies. The percentage of patients who had AEs was calculated and presented using box-whisker and forest plots. Infections and infestations were found to be the most common AEs in RA patients treated with mAbs. Raised alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), and nasopharyngitis were frequently reported. The most common AEs were reported with adalimumab. The highest percentage of patients reporting AEs was associated with golimumab (52%), while rituximab had the fewest AEs (4.9%). In conclusion, rituximab appears to be a safer treatment option for RA as it is found to be associated with a lower risk of AEs, particularly respiratory infections.

Nuevas opciones de tratamiento para el paciente con COVID-19. La experiencia hematológica / New therapeutic options for the COVID-19 patient. The experience from the hematologist

Resumen En la actual pandemia de enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) se ha observado que las principales complicaciones se presentan como resultado de la liberación de múltiples citocinas como interleucina (IL) 1, IL-6, factor de necrosis tumoral alfa e interferones de tipo 1 que generan un estado proinflamatorio caracterizado por lesión tisular pulmonar y subsecuentemente falla orgánica múltiple. En el campo de la hematología se cuenta con experiencia en el uso de diversos fármacos diseñados para limitar estas citocinas los cuales se han utilizado ya en pacientes con COVID-19 entre los que se encuentran los inhibidores de la IL-6 como el tocilizumab, el sarilumab y el siltuximab, el inhibidor de IL-1 anakinra y los inhibidores de la janus cinasa ruxolitinib y baricitinib. Al conocer la base fisiopatológica de la COVID-19, la utilidad de este tipo de fármacos muestra resultados alentadores para los cuadros moderados a graves de la enfermedad y extender su uso en ensayos clínicos mayores.

Abstract In the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, it has been observed that the main complications arise as a result of the release of multiple cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α and type 1 interferons that generate a proinflammatory state characterized by lung tissue injury and subsequently multiple organ failure. In the hematology field, there is experience in the use of various drugs designed to limit these cytokines which have already been used in patients with COVID-19 including IL-6 inhibitors such as tocilizumab, sarilumab, and siltuximab; the IL-1 inhibitor anakinra; and the janus kinase inhibitors ruxolitinib and baricitinib. Knowing the pathophysiological basis of COVID-19, the usefulness of this type of drugs show encouraging results for moderate to severe symptoms of the disease and encourages its use in larger clinical trials.

Sarilumab:A New Arsenal for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a debilitating disease that has significant impact on quality of life. Biological and non biological DMARDs improved the outcome in RA patients. New agents are still required in inadequate responders or intolerant patients. FDA has recently approved a new drug Sarilumab, a monoclonal antibody for the treatment of moderate to severe form of RA which acts by binding to Interleukin receptor 6 and interrupts the resultant cytokine-mediated inflammatory signaling.