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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Mario Abinun, Emerita Professor Helen Foster
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Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for refractory juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Design: Retrospective analysis of follow up data on 34 children with JIA who were treated with ASCT in nine different European transplant centres. Rheumatological evaluation employed a modified set of core criteria. Immunological reconstitution and infectious complications were monitored at three month intervals after transplantation. Results: Clinical follow up ranged from 12 to 60 months. Eighteen of the 34 patients (53%) with a follow up of 12 to 60 months achieved complete drug-free remission. Seven of these patients had previously failed treatment with anti-TNF. Six of the 34 patients (18%) showed a partial response (ranging from 30% to 70% improvement) and seven (21%) were resistant to ASCT. Infectious complications were common. There were three cases of transplant related mortality (9%) and two of disease related mortality (6%). Conclusions: ASCT in severely ill patients with JIA induces a drug-free remission of the disease and a profound increase in general wellbeing in a substantial proportion of patients, but the procedure carries a significant mortality risk. The following adjustments are proposed for future protocols: (1) elimination of total body irradiation from the conditioning regimen; (2) prophylactic administration of antiviral drugs and intravenous immunoglobulins until there is a normal CD4+ T cell count.
Author(s): De Kleer IM, Brinkman DMC, Ferster A, Abinun M, Quartier P, Van Der Net J, Ten Cate R, Wedderburn LR, Horneff G, Oppermann J, Zintl F, Foster HE, Prieur AM, Fasth A, Van Rossum MAJ, Kuis W, Wulffraat NM
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Year: 2004
Volume: 63
Issue: 10
Pages: 1318-1326
Print publication date: 01/10/2004
ISSN (print): 0003-4967
ISSN (electronic): 1468-2060
Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/ard.2003.017798
DOI: 10.1136/ard.2003.017798
PubMed id: 15361393
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