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Objective Cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes ( CAPS) result from gain-of-function mutations in the NLRP3 gene, which causes excessive release of interleukin-1β ( IL-1β) and systemic inflammation. While pathogenetic NLRP3 variant phenotypes are well-characterized, low-penetrance NLRP3 variants represent a significant clinical challenge. The aims of this study were to determine the clinical phenotype, the in vitro biologic phenotype, and the effect of anti- IL-1 treatment in patients with low-penetrance NLRP3 variants. Methods A multicenter study of consecutive symptomatic patients with low-penetrance NLRP3 variants recruited from 7 centers between May 2012 and May 2013 was performed. The observed findings were transferred into a study database, from which they were extracted for analysis. Controls were patients with a known pathogenetic NLRP3 variant. Clinical presentation and CAPS markers of inflammation were captured. Functional assays of inflammasome activation, including caspase 1 activity, NF-κB release, cell death, and IL-1β release, were performed. Treatment effects of IL-1 were determined. Comparisons between low-penetrance and pathogenetic NLRP3 variants were performed. Results The study included 45 patients, 21 of which were female (47%); 26 of the patients (58%) were children. NLRP3 low-penetrance variants identified in the patients were Q703K (n = 19), R488K (n = 6), and V198M (n = 20). In the controls, 28 had pathogenetic NLRP3 variants. Patients with low-penetrance NLRP3 variants had significantly more fever (76%) and gastrointestinal symptoms (73%); eye disease, hearing loss, and renal involvement were less common. Functional inflammasome testing identified an intermediate phenotype in low-penetrance NLRP3 variants as compared to wild-type and pathogenetic NLRP3 variants. All treated patients responded to IL-1 inhibition, with complete response documented in 50% of patients. Conclusion Patients with low-penetrance NLRP3 variants display a distinct clinical phenotype and an intermediate biologic phenotype, including IL-1β and non- IL-1β-mediated inflammatory pathway activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Juvenile localized scleroderma is usually considered a disease that is confined to the skin and subcutaneous tissue. We studied the prevalence and clinical features of extracutaneous manifestations in a large cohort of children with juvenile localized scleroderma. METHODS: Data from a multinational study on juvenile scleroderma was used for this in-depth study. Clinical features of patients with extracutaneous manifestations were compared with those of patients who had exclusively skin involvement. RESULTS: Seven hundred fifty patients entered the study. One hundred sixty-eight patients (22.4%) presented with a total of 193 extracutaneous manifestations, as follows: articular (47.2%), neurologic (17.1%), vascular (9.3%), ocular (8.3%), gastrointestinal (6.2%), respiratory (2.6%), cardiac (1%), and renal (1%). Other autoimmune conditions were present in 7.3% of patients. Neurologic involvement consisted of epilepsy, central nervous system vasculitis, peripheral neuropathy, vascular malformations, headache, and neuroimaging abnormalities. Ocular manifestations were episcleritis, uveitis, xerophthalmia, glaucoma, and papilledema. In more than one-fourth of these children, articular, neurologic, and ocular involvements were unrelated to the site of skin lesions. Raynaud's phenomenon was reported in 16 patients. Respiratory involvement consisted essentially of restrictive lung disease. Gastrointestinal involvement was reported in 12 patients and consisted exclusively of gastroesophageal reflux. Thirty patients (4%) had multiple extracutaneous features, but systemic sclerosis (SSc) developed in only 1 patient. In patients with extracutaneous involvement, the prevalence of antinuclear antibodies and rheumatoid factor was significantly higher than that among patients with only skin involvement. However, Scl-70 and anticentromere, markers of SSc, were not significantly increased. CONCLUSION: Extracutaneous manifestations of juvenile localized scleroderma developed in almost one-fourth of the children in this study. These extracutaneous manifestations often were unrelated to the site of the skin lesions and sometimes were associated with multiple organ involvement. The risk of developing SSc was very low. This subgroup of patients with juvenile localized scleroderma should be evaluated extensively, treated more aggressively, and monitored carefully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Purpose: To assess efficacy and safety of SC golimumab (GLM) in polyarticular pediatric juvenile idiopathic arthritis pts (aged 2 to <18 yrs) with active arthritis despite MTX for ≥3 months. Methods: In GO-KIDS, a 3-part randomized double-blind, PBO-controlled, withdrawal trial in pts with active JIA with a polyarticular course (≥5 active joints) and disease duration of ≥6 months despite current MTX (10-30 mg/m2/wk). In Part 1(wk 0-12), all pts received open-label (OL) 30 mg/m2 GLM SC (max 50 mg) q4 wks with stable MTX dose. At wk 16, pts with ACR JIA 30 response entered Part 2 (wk 16-48). In Part 2, pts were randomized to continue GLM or switch to PBO q4 wks. Upon Part 2 completion at wk 48 or ACR JIA flare in Part 2, pts received OL GLM in Part 3. Primary endpoint was proportion of ACR JIA 30 responders at wk 16 without a JIA flare in Part 2 using wk 16 as baseline measurement. Secondary outcomes were ACR JIA 30/50/70/90 response rates and inactive disease rates at wk 16 and wk 48 by group and safety. Results: 173 pts (Caucasian 87.9%, 75.7% females; age [median/range] 12 yrs/2-17 yrs) with moderately active disease were enrolled (Table ); 19 (11%) were d/c in Part 1 (lack of efficacy n = 14, AE n = 4, withdrawal of consent n = 1). In Part 1, 151 of 173 (87.3%) achieved an ACR JIA 30 response and 36.1% inactive disease status (Table ). There were 154 pts randomized double-blind in Part 2 (PBO n = 76; continued GLM n = 78). At the end of Part 2, no significant differences between groups in JIA ACR non-flare rates and trial did not meet primary endpoint [PBO-grp vs. GLM-grp: 52.6% vs. 59.0%, p = 0.41) nor were there differences for major secondary endpoints (Table 2). In contrast, sustained response in both groups (PBO, GLM) relative to wk 0 (Table 1 and 2). 6.5% (10 of 154) of pts d/c therapy after wk16 through wk 48. Through wk 48, AEs, serious AE (SAE), and serious infections were reported in 87.9%, 13.3%, and 2.9% of all randomized pts, respectively. Most common SAE was JIA exacerbation. No deaths, active TB or malignancies were reported (1). GLM-treated pt experienced SAE of toxic hepatitis and 1 had SAE of hepatic enzyme increase. One pt switched from PBO to GLM experienced SAE of serum sickness reaction, resulting in GLM d/c. Proportion of pts with ≥1 injection site reaction was 8.1%. None of the reactions were serious, severe, or led to GLM d/c. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]