AB0478 IN PREVIOUSLY BIOLOGIC-NAÏVE RHEUMATIC PATIENTS WITH DRUG INDUCED LUPUS SECONDARY TO A FIRST ANTI-TNF THERAPY, IS IT SAFE TO SWITCH TO A SECOND ANTI-TNF-α AGENT?
Authors: A. Martins, D. Santos Oliveira, F. R. Martins, F. Oliveira Pinheiro, M. Rato, D. Fonseca, S. Garcia, B. M. Fernandes, S. Pimenta, M. Bernardes, L. Costa
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2021)

Background: Drug-induced lupus erythematosus (DILE) secondary to anti-TNF-α agents results from an immunogenicity phenomena not yet fully understood and is a rare condition. Withdrawal of anti-TNF- α therapy usually leads to total resolution of symptoms, however sometimes immunosuppression is needed. It is not clear if this condition is drug specific or class related. Therefore, there are doubts about the safety of switching to a second TNF inhibitor: will a further anti-TNF-α agent increase the risk of DILE recurrence? Objectives: To analyze the outcomes in patients with DILE secondary to an anti-TNF-α agent that switch to a second anti-TNF-α agent. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with spondyloarthritis, psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis from our University Hospital, who developed DILE secondary to an anti-TNF-α agent as a first biologic and switch to a second anti-TNF-α agent. Because specific criteria for the diagnosis of DILE have not been established, DILE diagnosis was considered when a temporal relationship between clinical manifestations and anti-TNF alpha treatment was found and ACR/EULAR 2019 classification criteria for SLE were fulfilled. Clinical and laboratorial features and outcomes were collected from the Portuguese Rheumatic Diseases Register (Reuma.pt) and medical records. Results: Six of 617 patients developed DILE secondary to anti-TNF-α agents (2 secondary to etanercept, 2 to adalimumab and 2 to infliximab). These patients had total resolution of symptoms and autoantibodies (ANA and anti-DNAds), induced by the therapy, disappeared after withdrawal of the anti-TNF-α agent implied. Afterwards, 4 of these 6 patients switched to a second anti-TNF-α agent: 1 to etanercept, 1 to certolizumab, 1 to adalimumab and another to golimumab. The time interval between the two therapies was 2,0 ± 0,8 months. Regarding the outcomes, in all four patients, no DILE recurrence or autoantibodies induction recurrence was observed. These patients have a good response to the new biotherapy, without side effects reported, and a significant clinical improvement was observed. Conclusion: Our study results are in agreement with the literature described before. It seems that exist a low rate of DILE recurrence with an alternative anti-TNF-α agent. Thus, this condition seems to be drug specific rather than class related. Therefore, it seems secure to use a second anti-TNF-α agent, even in a short period of time after DILE development. There is no evidence about the best or securest second TNF inhibitor, so any anti-TNF-α agent can be prescribed. A carefully monitoring of symptoms of relapse should be ensured. In conclusion, DILE secondary to a TNF inhibitor should not be an absolute contraindication to the use of a subsequent anti-TNF-α agent. Disclosure of Interests: None declared.