Long-term follow-up of secondary amyloidosis patients treated with tumor necrosis factor inhibitor therapy: A STROBE-compliant observational study

Medicine (Baltimore). 2017 Aug;96(34):e7859. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000007859.

Abstract

There are no treatment modalities, which were proven to prevent the deposition of amyloid, proteinuria, and loss of renal function due to amyloidosis. Anti-tumor necrosis factor agents (anti-TNFs) were shown to decrease the production of serum amyloid A protein.We aimed to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of anti-TNFs in secondary (AA) amyloidosis patients treated in a single center.Thirty-seven patients with AA amyloidosis were started an anti-TNF for AA amyloidosis between March 2001 and June 2008 and followed until May 2016 unless deceased. They were surveyed for the endpoints of death, development of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), switch to another agent due to worsening of amyloidosis and adverse events.Among the 37 patients, 12 (32%) had died, 9 (24%) had ESRD, and 8 (22%) had started another group of biologic due to worsening of amyloidosis indicated by an increase in proteinuria, 5 (14%) patients are still doing well with anti-TNFs, and 3 (8%) are off treatment at the end of a median follow-up of 10 (interquartile range [IQR]: 5.5-10.5) years since the start of anti-TNFs and 10 (IQR: 8-13) years since the diagnosis of AA amyloidosis. Most common serious adverse events were sepsis and thrombotic events observed in 8 and 4 patients, respectively.Treatment with anti-TNFs may be associated with a higher survival rate compared with historic cohorts of AA amyloidosis, especially when started early with a lower serum creatinine level at baseline. Caution is needed regarding serious adverse events, especially infections.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amyloidosis / complications
  • Amyloidosis / drug therapy*
  • Amyloidosis / mortality
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / etiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Proteinuria
  • Serum Amyloid A Protein
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Serum Amyloid A Protein
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha