Improved response to infliximab after leukocytapheresis in a patent with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

This is the first report on effective leukocytapheresis (LCAP) in an acquired infliximab (IFM) resistant patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A 44-year-old Japanese woman with RA was treated with prednisolone, cyclosporine A, and methotrexate, which failed to stabilize the disease. Infliximab was then administered and the disease activity was controlled on December 2003. However, RA became active again on June 2004 so that LCAP was administered weekly for 5 weeks. After the LCAP treatment, the ACR20% response was obtained again and IFM has regained its efficacy.

Key words:

• Acquired resistance
• Infliximab (IFM)
• Leukocytapheresis (LCAP)
• Rheumatoid arthritis