Myasthenia gravis patients with low plasma IL-6 and IFN-gamma benefit from etanercept treatment
JOURNAL OF AUTOIMMUNITY, vol.24, no.3, pp.261-268, 2005 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 24 Issue: 3
- Publication Date: 2005
- Doi Number: 10.1016/j.jaut.2005.01.013
- Journal Name: JOURNAL OF AUTOIMMUNITY
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
- Page Numbers: pp.261-268
- Istanbul University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Steroid-dependent myasthenia gravis patients improved following treatment with etanercept (recombinant human TNF receptor: Fc) in a prospective pilot trial. While the plasma anti -acetylcholine receptor antibody levels remained unaffected, etanercept treatment increased plasma levels of C3, circulating immune coniplexes, IL-10 and IFN-gamma. There was a direct correlation between plasma IL-6, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma levels and the post-treatment clinical scores of patients. Moreover, patients with lower pretreatment plasma IL-6 and IFN-gamma levels attained better clinical improvement following etanercept treatment. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.