Antonio Carletto - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Antonio Carletto
The Journal of Rheumatology, May 1, 2007
To investigate possible associations of 9 single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the IL10, IL1B, IL1A... more To investigate possible associations of 9 single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the IL10, IL1B, IL1A, IL1RN, IL2, LTA, and IL6 genes with susceptibility to systemic sclerosis (SSc), and with clinical subtype of SSc patients. A total of 78 patients with SSc [diffuse SSc (dcSSc), n = 31; limited SSc, (lcSSc), n = 47] and 692 healthy blood donors were genotyped for the following polymorphisms: IL10 T-3575A, IL10 A-1082G, IL1B C-31T, IL1B C-511T, IL1A C-889T, IL1RN A9589T, IL2 T-384G, LTA T-91G, and IL6 G-174C. Alleles in IL1B-31 and IL1B-511 showed a significantly different distribution between cases and controls. Carriers of at least one copy of the IL1B-31-C allele had an increased risk of SSc [odds ratio (OR) 2.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6-5.2, p < 0.001], while a similar strong association was also evident for IL1B-511-T carriers (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.7-5.7, p < 0.001). Interestingly, carriers of the IL2-384-G allele were significantly more frequent among patients with lcSSc (80.8%), compared to patients with the diffuse subtype (45.1%) (OR 5.1, 95% CI 1.8-14.3, p = 0.001) and in subjects positive to anticentromere antibodies (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.5-11.9, p = 0.007). Lastly, the distribution of the IL2-384 genotype showed statistically significant differences between controls and patients with lcSSc (OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.7-7.4, p < 0.001). There were no differences between patients with dcSSc and controls. IL1B and IL2 gene polymorphisms may be involved in susceptibility to SSc. Moreover, the IL2-384-G allele may be a marker for the limited phenotype of SSc.
Recenti Progressi in Medicina, 2004
The Journal of Rheumatology, Feb 1, 2003
To investigate the correlation between plasma concentration of total homocysteine and pulmonary i... more To investigate the correlation between plasma concentration of total homocysteine and pulmonary involvement in patients with limited or diffuse scleroderma (systemic sclerosis, SSc). Seventy-one patients with scleroderma were divided into 3 groups based on pulmonary involvement: Group A comprised patients without lung involvement (9 cases); Group B patients with lung involvement of mild and moderate stages (44 cases); and Group C patients with lung involvement of severe stage and endstage (18 cases). At the time of evaluation of lung involvement all patients underwent determination of plasma homocysteine concentration. Homocysteine concentration was also measured in 30 healthy controls homogeneous for sex and age. In patients with scleroderma the homocysteine concentration was significantly higher than in controls (11.1 and 6.9 micromol/l, respectively; p < 0.001). We found a significant association between plasma homocysteine concentration and severity of lung involvement that was not modified by correction for age, time from the diagnosis, type of scleroderma pattern, and serum creatinine and folate levels. Homocysteine concentration progressively increases in scleroderma patients with more severe pulmonary involvement. Subjects with high homocysteine concentration (i.e., > or = 75th percentile of homocysteine concentration in patients with scleroderma without lung involvement) were mostly present in the group with the greatest lung involvement. High level of homocysteinemia is associated with an increased risk of pulmonary disease in patients with scleroderma. We hypothesize that hyperhomocysteinemia may worsen injury of the endothelium, a key lesion in scleroderma disease, favoring the development of lung involvement. Our data support the hypothesis that homocysteine could be involved in the pathogenetic process of scleroderma pulmonary involvement.
Arthritis and Rheumatism, Apr 1, 2003
system is reduced together with the capacity of approximation. This allows detections of variable... more system is reduced together with the capacity of approximation. This allows detections of variables that are irrelevant and noisy for the problem at hand. After these variables have been discarded, a different approach to the problem can then be undertaken, since we can consider (of course, with a certain probability of error) that all remaining variables are useful. This does not necessarily imply that the system will not suffer negative effect of overfitting with the selected variables, but the damage caused will probably be lower. A standard technique that tries to control the overfitting (regularization or early stopping, for example) would be expected to obtain better results with this reduced number of variables.
Inflammation, 1994
Human neutrophils were isolated both from peripheral Wood (PB) and from aseptic inflammatory exud... more Human neutrophils were isolated both from peripheral Wood (PB) and from aseptic inflammatory exudates obtained by the Senn's skin window technique (SW). The respiratory burst (02-production) induced by in response to n-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) and by serum-treated zymosan (STZ) was investigated using a microplate assay. SW neutrophils were primed to enhanced fMLP-dependent O2-production in response to fMLP but not to STZ. Pentoxifylline, a cAMP-elevating drug, dose-dependently inhibited the respiratory burst in any experimental condition, but the dose-effect curves were markedly different according the stimulant used and the source of the cells. With fMLP as stimulant, a significant inhibition of the 02-production by PB neutrophils was obtained using doses of 10 ug/ml, while SW neutrophils were inhibited only by doses equal or higher than 100 ug/ml. With STZ as stimulant, the inhibition of the respiratory burst of PB neutrophils and of SW neutrophils was obtained only with doses higher than 400 ug/ml and 1 mg/ml respectively. Pentoxifylline dose-dependently (10 ug/ml to 1 mg/ml) increased the intracellular adenosine 3'-5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) to the same extent in SW and in PB neutrophils. These data indicate that the priming of neutrophil oxidative metabolism by in vivo inflammation is associated with an increase in the resistance to the regulating effect of cAMP on the fMLP-dependent activation pathway of NADPH oxidase. The fact that therapeutic doses of pentoxifylline do not inhibit the respiratory burst of primed neutrophils may have relevance in the interpretation of the clinical effects of this drug.
Acta Oto Laryngol, 1996
Parotid gland biopsy was performed in 32 female patients affected by suspected Sjögren's ... more Parotid gland biopsy was performed in 32 female patients affected by suspected Sjögren's syndrome. In all cases histologic findings were in agreement with this diagnosis and in two subjects led us to detect the malignant transformation into lymphoma. None of the patients developed relevant complications. Our study indicates that parotid gland biopsy in Sjögren's syndrome is a safe procedure and may be useful in performing diagnosis.
Inflammation, Sep 1, 1998
Fifty-seven healthy volunteers matched for sex and age were subdivided in 3 groups and their usua... more Fifty-seven healthy volunteers matched for sex and age were subdivided in 3 groups and their usual Western diets were supplemented according to three different protocols: group 1, fish oil supplement (20 ml/day); group 2, soybean phosphatidylcholine (PC) (25 g/day) and group 3, no supplementation (control group). After 2 weeks several important modifications of neutrophil fatty acid composition were observed: fish oil induced a significant decrease of linoleic (LA) and arachidonic acid (AA) and a significant increase of eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), while soy PC induced significant increases of LA, total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and PUFA/SFA ratio. Neutrophil superoxide generation and adhesion were not modified by fish oil diet, on the contrary a slight but significant increase of O 2 production in response to fMLP was measured after soy PC diet. Our study confirms the possibility of changing neutrophil fatty acid composition in vivo by dietary means, but also suggests that the manipulation of cell functions, like superoxide anion generation and adhesion, is not easily and directly achieved by controlling membrane lipid environment.
Acta Haematologica, Feb 1, 2001
Joint Bone Spine, 2015
To evaluate the relevance of anti-adalimumab (anti-ADA) antibodies (Abs) and their relationship w... more To evaluate the relevance of anti-adalimumab (anti-ADA) antibodies (Abs) and their relationship with clinical/laboratory features in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Fifty-eight patients affected with RA, AS and PsA were prospectively enrolled. Clinical/laboratory characteristics, disease activity, anti-ADA, anti-nuclear (ANA), anti-double strand (ds)DNA, anti-extractable nuclear antigens (anti-ENA) and anti-phospholipid Abs (aPL) were evaluated at baseline, 4, 12 and 24 weeks of adalimumab treatment. Anti-ADA Abs were observed in 11/58 (19%) patients; they were detected within the 4th week of therapy in 90.9% of the positive subjects. Anti-ADA positivity was associated with significantly lower mean adalimumab serum levels (P<0.05). Treatment failure was observed in 20/58 (34.5%) patients and was significantly associated with anti-ADA Abs (P<0.05). Mean adalimumab serum levels were significantly lower in patients with treatment failure than in the responders one, both in the whole cohort (P<0.01) and in the group of anti-ADA positive patients (P<0.01). Adverse events happened more often in anti-ADA positive then in anti-ADA negative patients (27.3% vs 14.9%). Anti-ADA abs could be considered an early marker associated to a poor clinical response to adalimumab treatment. Routine ANA/anti-ENA/aPL monitoring did not reveal as useful tools to predict the development of anti-ADA abs.
Inflammation, Nov 1, 1998
The aim of this study is to determine some functions of neutrophil in patients affected by psoria... more The aim of this study is to determine some functions of neutrophil in patients affected by psoriatic arthritis and to compare them to those of patients affected by cutaneous psoriasis and to normal controls. We used a model of experimental cutaneous inflammation allowing to separate a cluster of purified and viable PMN cells. Then we analyzed, within the three groups, the IL-8 concentration in serum and in the supernatant obtained from the inflammatory site to gather data on the possible pathogenic role played by this cytokine in psoriatic arthritis. We studied neutrophil functions in patients with cutaneous psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, in acute phase, in comparison with healthy control subjects. We investigated in vivo neutrophil migration by Senn's skin window technique and measured adhesion assay and superoxide production in circulating and migrating neutrophils after different stimuli. We also measured IL-8 concentration in serum and in the supernatant obtained from the inflammatory site, artificially created through the skin window scrape. Neutrophil migration in vivo was significantly higher in both groups of patients than in controls. In the presence of fMLP, blood cells showed a burst of superoxide release, which was significantly more pronounced in patients when compared to healthy controls. Neutrophils from skin window scrape showed a much higher response to fMLP as compared to blood cells of all subject groups, but no differences were observed between patients and controls. No correlation was found between the three groups in adhesion ability under basal condition or in response to different stimuli by circulating and migrating neutrophils. Our results also show a great increase of IL-8 in the exudate from patients compared to controls. Our study shows that there is no difference in neutrophil functions between patients with psoriatic arthritis and cutaneous psoriasis; moreover we suggest that the source of high IL-8 levels are neutrophils rather than the keratinocytes.
Clinical Rheumatology, 1997
Rev Rhum, 2003
Nous rapportons l’observation inhabituelle d’une femme âgée de 53 ans atteinte d’une vascularite ... more Nous rapportons l’observation inhabituelle d’une femme âgée de 53 ans atteinte d’une vascularite à ANCA comportant une atteinte prédominante du système nerveux central et ayant posé de difficiles problèmes diagnostiques.The authors present a peculiar case of a 53-year old woman affected by ANCA-associated vasculitis with prevailing involvement of central nervous system. Diagnosis was really difficult.
Recenti progressi in medicina
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease with a progressive course, that frequently... more Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease with a progressive course, that frequently provokes permanent incapacity if not adequately treated. Rheumatoid arthritis may be not responsive to the common second line drugs. This study was aimed to treat 15 patients affected by severe refractory rheumatoid arthritis with infliximab. Fifteen patients with refractory rheumatoid arthritis were treated with infliximab--monoclonal antibody direct to TNF alpha--in association with methotrexate or azathioprine. Infliximab was administered at the dosage of 3 mg/Kg at the weeks 0, 2 and 6 and then every 8 weeks. About half patients ameliorated in agreement with both ACR 20 criteria and DAS28 evaluation. The clinical improvement was accompanied by a reduction of the steroid daily dosage. No relevant side effects were observed. Infliximab is effective in a significant number of patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis, with a good tolerability.
Rheumatology international, 2005
To evaluate antibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP) together with rheumatoid ... more To evaluate antibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP) together with rheumatoid factor (RF), antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and C-reactive protein (CRP), in patients affected by rheumatoid arthritis (RA), before and after infliximab treatment. Twenty-seven patients (five men and 22 women, mean age of 51.9 years, mean duration of disease 12.6 years) affected by RA, refractory to conventional DMARDs, were treated with infliximab, at the conventional dosage. Before starting infliximab and after 22 weeks, on the occasion of the fifth infusion, anti-CCP antibodies were tested by ELISA method. At the same time IgM RF, ANA and CRP level were measured. Before infliximab therapy, anti-CCP antibodies resulted positive in 23 patients (85.1%); the serum level did not change after infliximab treatment; only one case negative at baseline became slightly positive after treatment. Before and after therapy RF resulted positive in 22 cases (81.4%) and 21 cases (77.7%) respectively; com...
The Journal of Rheumatology, May 1, 2007
To investigate possible associations of 9 single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the IL10, IL1B, IL1A... more To investigate possible associations of 9 single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the IL10, IL1B, IL1A, IL1RN, IL2, LTA, and IL6 genes with susceptibility to systemic sclerosis (SSc), and with clinical subtype of SSc patients. A total of 78 patients with SSc [diffuse SSc (dcSSc), n = 31; limited SSc, (lcSSc), n = 47] and 692 healthy blood donors were genotyped for the following polymorphisms: IL10 T-3575A, IL10 A-1082G, IL1B C-31T, IL1B C-511T, IL1A C-889T, IL1RN A9589T, IL2 T-384G, LTA T-91G, and IL6 G-174C. Alleles in IL1B-31 and IL1B-511 showed a significantly different distribution between cases and controls. Carriers of at least one copy of the IL1B-31-C allele had an increased risk of SSc [odds ratio (OR) 2.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6-5.2, p < 0.001], while a similar strong association was also evident for IL1B-511-T carriers (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.7-5.7, p < 0.001). Interestingly, carriers of the IL2-384-G allele were significantly more frequent among patients with lcSSc (80.8%), compared to patients with the diffuse subtype (45.1%) (OR 5.1, 95% CI 1.8-14.3, p = 0.001) and in subjects positive to anticentromere antibodies (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.5-11.9, p = 0.007). Lastly, the distribution of the IL2-384 genotype showed statistically significant differences between controls and patients with lcSSc (OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.7-7.4, p < 0.001). There were no differences between patients with dcSSc and controls. IL1B and IL2 gene polymorphisms may be involved in susceptibility to SSc. Moreover, the IL2-384-G allele may be a marker for the limited phenotype of SSc.
Recenti Progressi in Medicina, 2004
The Journal of Rheumatology, Feb 1, 2003
To investigate the correlation between plasma concentration of total homocysteine and pulmonary i... more To investigate the correlation between plasma concentration of total homocysteine and pulmonary involvement in patients with limited or diffuse scleroderma (systemic sclerosis, SSc). Seventy-one patients with scleroderma were divided into 3 groups based on pulmonary involvement: Group A comprised patients without lung involvement (9 cases); Group B patients with lung involvement of mild and moderate stages (44 cases); and Group C patients with lung involvement of severe stage and endstage (18 cases). At the time of evaluation of lung involvement all patients underwent determination of plasma homocysteine concentration. Homocysteine concentration was also measured in 30 healthy controls homogeneous for sex and age. In patients with scleroderma the homocysteine concentration was significantly higher than in controls (11.1 and 6.9 micromol/l, respectively; p < 0.001). We found a significant association between plasma homocysteine concentration and severity of lung involvement that was not modified by correction for age, time from the diagnosis, type of scleroderma pattern, and serum creatinine and folate levels. Homocysteine concentration progressively increases in scleroderma patients with more severe pulmonary involvement. Subjects with high homocysteine concentration (i.e., > or = 75th percentile of homocysteine concentration in patients with scleroderma without lung involvement) were mostly present in the group with the greatest lung involvement. High level of homocysteinemia is associated with an increased risk of pulmonary disease in patients with scleroderma. We hypothesize that hyperhomocysteinemia may worsen injury of the endothelium, a key lesion in scleroderma disease, favoring the development of lung involvement. Our data support the hypothesis that homocysteine could be involved in the pathogenetic process of scleroderma pulmonary involvement.
Arthritis and Rheumatism, Apr 1, 2003
system is reduced together with the capacity of approximation. This allows detections of variable... more system is reduced together with the capacity of approximation. This allows detections of variables that are irrelevant and noisy for the problem at hand. After these variables have been discarded, a different approach to the problem can then be undertaken, since we can consider (of course, with a certain probability of error) that all remaining variables are useful. This does not necessarily imply that the system will not suffer negative effect of overfitting with the selected variables, but the damage caused will probably be lower. A standard technique that tries to control the overfitting (regularization or early stopping, for example) would be expected to obtain better results with this reduced number of variables.
Inflammation, 1994
Human neutrophils were isolated both from peripheral Wood (PB) and from aseptic inflammatory exud... more Human neutrophils were isolated both from peripheral Wood (PB) and from aseptic inflammatory exudates obtained by the Senn's skin window technique (SW). The respiratory burst (02-production) induced by in response to n-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) and by serum-treated zymosan (STZ) was investigated using a microplate assay. SW neutrophils were primed to enhanced fMLP-dependent O2-production in response to fMLP but not to STZ. Pentoxifylline, a cAMP-elevating drug, dose-dependently inhibited the respiratory burst in any experimental condition, but the dose-effect curves were markedly different according the stimulant used and the source of the cells. With fMLP as stimulant, a significant inhibition of the 02-production by PB neutrophils was obtained using doses of 10 ug/ml, while SW neutrophils were inhibited only by doses equal or higher than 100 ug/ml. With STZ as stimulant, the inhibition of the respiratory burst of PB neutrophils and of SW neutrophils was obtained only with doses higher than 400 ug/ml and 1 mg/ml respectively. Pentoxifylline dose-dependently (10 ug/ml to 1 mg/ml) increased the intracellular adenosine 3'-5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) to the same extent in SW and in PB neutrophils. These data indicate that the priming of neutrophil oxidative metabolism by in vivo inflammation is associated with an increase in the resistance to the regulating effect of cAMP on the fMLP-dependent activation pathway of NADPH oxidase. The fact that therapeutic doses of pentoxifylline do not inhibit the respiratory burst of primed neutrophils may have relevance in the interpretation of the clinical effects of this drug.
Acta Oto Laryngol, 1996
Parotid gland biopsy was performed in 32 female patients affected by suspected Sjögren's ... more Parotid gland biopsy was performed in 32 female patients affected by suspected Sjögren's syndrome. In all cases histologic findings were in agreement with this diagnosis and in two subjects led us to detect the malignant transformation into lymphoma. None of the patients developed relevant complications. Our study indicates that parotid gland biopsy in Sjögren's syndrome is a safe procedure and may be useful in performing diagnosis.
Inflammation, Sep 1, 1998
Fifty-seven healthy volunteers matched for sex and age were subdivided in 3 groups and their usua... more Fifty-seven healthy volunteers matched for sex and age were subdivided in 3 groups and their usual Western diets were supplemented according to three different protocols: group 1, fish oil supplement (20 ml/day); group 2, soybean phosphatidylcholine (PC) (25 g/day) and group 3, no supplementation (control group). After 2 weeks several important modifications of neutrophil fatty acid composition were observed: fish oil induced a significant decrease of linoleic (LA) and arachidonic acid (AA) and a significant increase of eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), while soy PC induced significant increases of LA, total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and PUFA/SFA ratio. Neutrophil superoxide generation and adhesion were not modified by fish oil diet, on the contrary a slight but significant increase of O 2 production in response to fMLP was measured after soy PC diet. Our study confirms the possibility of changing neutrophil fatty acid composition in vivo by dietary means, but also suggests that the manipulation of cell functions, like superoxide anion generation and adhesion, is not easily and directly achieved by controlling membrane lipid environment.
Acta Haematologica, Feb 1, 2001
Joint Bone Spine, 2015
To evaluate the relevance of anti-adalimumab (anti-ADA) antibodies (Abs) and their relationship w... more To evaluate the relevance of anti-adalimumab (anti-ADA) antibodies (Abs) and their relationship with clinical/laboratory features in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Fifty-eight patients affected with RA, AS and PsA were prospectively enrolled. Clinical/laboratory characteristics, disease activity, anti-ADA, anti-nuclear (ANA), anti-double strand (ds)DNA, anti-extractable nuclear antigens (anti-ENA) and anti-phospholipid Abs (aPL) were evaluated at baseline, 4, 12 and 24 weeks of adalimumab treatment. Anti-ADA Abs were observed in 11/58 (19%) patients; they were detected within the 4th week of therapy in 90.9% of the positive subjects. Anti-ADA positivity was associated with significantly lower mean adalimumab serum levels (P<0.05). Treatment failure was observed in 20/58 (34.5%) patients and was significantly associated with anti-ADA Abs (P<0.05). Mean adalimumab serum levels were significantly lower in patients with treatment failure than in the responders one, both in the whole cohort (P<0.01) and in the group of anti-ADA positive patients (P<0.01). Adverse events happened more often in anti-ADA positive then in anti-ADA negative patients (27.3% vs 14.9%). Anti-ADA abs could be considered an early marker associated to a poor clinical response to adalimumab treatment. Routine ANA/anti-ENA/aPL monitoring did not reveal as useful tools to predict the development of anti-ADA abs.
Inflammation, Nov 1, 1998
The aim of this study is to determine some functions of neutrophil in patients affected by psoria... more The aim of this study is to determine some functions of neutrophil in patients affected by psoriatic arthritis and to compare them to those of patients affected by cutaneous psoriasis and to normal controls. We used a model of experimental cutaneous inflammation allowing to separate a cluster of purified and viable PMN cells. Then we analyzed, within the three groups, the IL-8 concentration in serum and in the supernatant obtained from the inflammatory site to gather data on the possible pathogenic role played by this cytokine in psoriatic arthritis. We studied neutrophil functions in patients with cutaneous psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, in acute phase, in comparison with healthy control subjects. We investigated in vivo neutrophil migration by Senn's skin window technique and measured adhesion assay and superoxide production in circulating and migrating neutrophils after different stimuli. We also measured IL-8 concentration in serum and in the supernatant obtained from the inflammatory site, artificially created through the skin window scrape. Neutrophil migration in vivo was significantly higher in both groups of patients than in controls. In the presence of fMLP, blood cells showed a burst of superoxide release, which was significantly more pronounced in patients when compared to healthy controls. Neutrophils from skin window scrape showed a much higher response to fMLP as compared to blood cells of all subject groups, but no differences were observed between patients and controls. No correlation was found between the three groups in adhesion ability under basal condition or in response to different stimuli by circulating and migrating neutrophils. Our results also show a great increase of IL-8 in the exudate from patients compared to controls. Our study shows that there is no difference in neutrophil functions between patients with psoriatic arthritis and cutaneous psoriasis; moreover we suggest that the source of high IL-8 levels are neutrophils rather than the keratinocytes.
Clinical Rheumatology, 1997
Rev Rhum, 2003
Nous rapportons l’observation inhabituelle d’une femme âgée de 53 ans atteinte d’une vascularite ... more Nous rapportons l’observation inhabituelle d’une femme âgée de 53 ans atteinte d’une vascularite à ANCA comportant une atteinte prédominante du système nerveux central et ayant posé de difficiles problèmes diagnostiques.The authors present a peculiar case of a 53-year old woman affected by ANCA-associated vasculitis with prevailing involvement of central nervous system. Diagnosis was really difficult.
Recenti progressi in medicina
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease with a progressive course, that frequently... more Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease with a progressive course, that frequently provokes permanent incapacity if not adequately treated. Rheumatoid arthritis may be not responsive to the common second line drugs. This study was aimed to treat 15 patients affected by severe refractory rheumatoid arthritis with infliximab. Fifteen patients with refractory rheumatoid arthritis were treated with infliximab--monoclonal antibody direct to TNF alpha--in association with methotrexate or azathioprine. Infliximab was administered at the dosage of 3 mg/Kg at the weeks 0, 2 and 6 and then every 8 weeks. About half patients ameliorated in agreement with both ACR 20 criteria and DAS28 evaluation. The clinical improvement was accompanied by a reduction of the steroid daily dosage. No relevant side effects were observed. Infliximab is effective in a significant number of patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis, with a good tolerability.
Rheumatology international, 2005
To evaluate antibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP) together with rheumatoid ... more To evaluate antibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP) together with rheumatoid factor (RF), antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and C-reactive protein (CRP), in patients affected by rheumatoid arthritis (RA), before and after infliximab treatment. Twenty-seven patients (five men and 22 women, mean age of 51.9 years, mean duration of disease 12.6 years) affected by RA, refractory to conventional DMARDs, were treated with infliximab, at the conventional dosage. Before starting infliximab and after 22 weeks, on the occasion of the fifth infusion, anti-CCP antibodies were tested by ELISA method. At the same time IgM RF, ANA and CRP level were measured. Before infliximab therapy, anti-CCP antibodies resulted positive in 23 patients (85.1%); the serum level did not change after infliximab treatment; only one case negative at baseline became slightly positive after treatment. Before and after therapy RF resulted positive in 22 cases (81.4%) and 21 cases (77.7%) respectively; com...