Elevation of serum KL-6 levels in 3 patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with adalimumab

Mod Rheumatol. 2012 Feb;22(1):147-51. doi: 10.1007/s10165-011-0483-y. Epub 2011 Jul 20.

Abstract

We describe 3 cases of rheumatoid arthritis presenting with elevated serum KL-6 levels during treatment with adalimumab, which was discontinued because of suspected onset of complications. However, no complications were observed following discontinuation despite comprehensive assessments, and KL-6 levels subsequently returned to baseline levels. In our institutes, 3 out of 29 cases treated with adalimumab showed elevated KL-6 levels. The baseline levels were 445, 347, and 547 U/ml, while the peak levels were 1010, 546, and 2007 U/ml, respectively. The elevated KL-6 levels seem to have been innocuous; nevertheless, further careful observation is deemed necessary.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adalimumab
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / adverse effects*
  • Antirheumatic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / blood*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / diagnosis
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy
  • Communicable Diseases / diagnosis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases / diagnosis
  • Middle Aged
  • Mucin-1 / blood*
  • Withholding Treatment

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • MUC1 protein, human
  • Mucin-1
  • Adalimumab