Successful Infliximab Therapy in a Patient with Refractory Takayasu's Arteritis

ABSTRACT

Takayasu's arteritis (TA), a granulomatous vasculitis, affects the aorta and its major branches. Glucocorticoids are an effective treatment for patients with active TA, but some patients fail to achieve or maintain remission with the conventional therapy, and side effects resulting from long-term glucocorticoid therapy are potentially serious. Anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha agents, such as infliximab, may be efficient in patients with refractory TA. We report on a 24-year-old female patient with refractory TA who was treated successfully with infliximab. Clinical remission was induced as determined by repeated 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography scans combined with assay of serological inflammatory markers.