Clinical, Serological, and Immunological Characteristics of Greek Patients with Polymyalgia Rheumatica and/or Giant Cell Arteritis: A Research Protocol.

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) and Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) are chronic inflammatory disorders that usually affect older people. Although the aetiology of these diseases remains unknown, genetic, environmental, and immune factors have been implicated. Specific cytokines such as the IL-6, IL-1ß, IL-12, IL-17, and interferon -γ seem to play an essential role. The diagnosis of the disease is usually based on clinical manifestations and the use of histology or imaging, while disease monitoring is based on physical examination, laboratory, and imaging findings. However, there is the unmet need in identifying possible biomarkers that could help the diagnosis and the monitoring as well. The present study aims to investigate the epidemiological, clinical, and immunological characteristics of PMR and/or GCA patients in the region of northwest Greece and to evaluate the role of specific molecules associated with the pathogenesis of the diseases, giving evidence to possible future biomarkers.

Adalimumab-induced myasthenia gravis: case-based review.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease characterised by the presence of acetylcholine receptor antibodies and by blocking the transmission of the signal in the neuromuscular junction causing muscle weakness. It can be associated with several autoimmune diseases and certain drugs, between them Etanercept an anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) agent. A 42-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) refractory to methotrexate, was treated with adalimumab (ADA), a human monoclonal antibody against the TNF, in a dosage scheme of 40 mg every 14 days subcutaneously. The patient responded well to ADA therapy with sustained remission for 18 months when she developed blurred vision and eyelid ptosis of the left eye. The diagnosis of ocular MG was made. ADA has been discontinued and she started a treatment with pyridostigmine showing an excellent response and complete remission within a 2-month period. This is the first report making an association of ADA and ocular MG. Thus, rheumatologists dealing with patients treated with TNF inhibitors should be aware of the possible development of neurological adverse events, among them MG.

A Case of Recalcitrant Psoriatic Arthritis to TNF Inhibitors Improved After Administration of Secukinumab, an IL-17A Inhibitor.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a unique inflammatory arthritis due to the fact that patients have to deal not only with pain but also with their skin appearance, which may have a detrimental effect on their everyday lives and psychology. Treating a patient with PsA, improving both the musculoskeletal and skin symptoms is a challenge for the clinical rheumatologist. In this case, we present a patient of recalcitrant PsA to tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) who had an exceptional improvement after administration of the interleukin-17A inhibitor (IL-17Ai) secukinumab.