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In this report, we describe treatment outcomes in the first case of a patient with tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) treated with the anti-interleukin-6 (anti-IL-6) receptor monoclonal antibody tocilizumab. Since IL-6 levels are elevated in TRAPS, we hypothesized that tocilizumab might be effective. The patient, a 52-year-old man with lifelong TRAPS in whom treatment with etanercept and anakinra had failed, was administered tocilizumab for 6 months, and the therapeutic response was assessed by measurement of monocyte CD16 expression and cytokine levels. Following treatment, the evolving acute attack was aborted and further attacks of TRAPS were prevented. The patient did not require corticosteroids and showed significant clinical improvement in scores for pain, stiffness, and well-being. Moreover, the acute-phase response diminished significantly with treatment. Monocyte CD16 expression was reduced and the numbers of circulating CD14+CD16+ and CD14++CD16- monocytes were transiently decreased. However, cytokine levels were not reduced. This case supports the notion of a prominent role for IL-6 in mediating the inflammatory attacks in TRAPS, but blockade of IL-6 did not affect the underlying pathogenesis. These preliminary findings require confirmation., (Copyright © 2011 by the American College of Rheumatology.)

Objective: To investigate the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-8, IL-10 and IL-12p70 in the plasma of patients with TNF receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) in relation to CRP levels and treatment with etanercept., Methods: Cytokine concentrations were measured in sequential plasma samples obtained from eight patients with a C33Y mutation in TNFRSF1A and diagnosed with TRAPS, using cytokine bead array. The TRAPS samples were compared with samples from normal controls and rheumatoid arthritis patients., Results: Levels of IL-6 were significantly elevated in C33Y TRAPS patients and these correlated with CRP levels in some of the patients. IL-8 levels were also significantly elevated in the TRAPS patients. However, neither TNF-alpha nor IL-1beta demonstrated a similar increase. This differed from the patients with rheumatoid arthritis, for whom levels of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-10 were significantly elevated. The levels of detectable TNF-alpha in the TRAPS patients' plasma were elevated during etanercept treatment., Conclusions: The cytokine profile of C33Y TRAPS differs from that of a typical autoimmune inflammatory condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, as only IL-6 and IL-8 were elevated in C33Y TRAPS patients, as distinct from a generalized elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, only some of the C33Y patients tested showed a relationship between elevated IL-6 and CRP. This is consistent with clinical observations that there is marked heterogeneity between individuals with TRAPS, including those in the same family cohort. Although etanercept has a therapeutic effect in some TRAPS patients, it induces increased plasma concentrations of TNF-alpha, possibly by increasing TNF-alpha stability.

Objective: To describe the effect of Etanercept treatment in systemic AA amyloidosis in tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS)., Methods: Etanercept therapy was given to a 27 year old woman, with systemic amyloidosis and nephrotic syndrome, and to her 51 year old father, also affected by TRAPS, who had previously undergone renal transplant for amyloidosis. Serum SAA levels, plasma cytokines, glomerular filtration rate and serum amyloid P scanning were monitored., Results: Etanercept treatment resulted in initial clinical resolution of nephrotic syndrome in the 27 year old female. Both subjects demonstrated improvements in GFR and initial reduction or stabilisation of amyloid deposits on SAP scanning., Conclusion: Etanercept may reverse or slow the progression of systemic AA amyloidosis in subjects with C33Y TNFRSF1A mutation. Treatment may however need to be continuous and life-long to prevent progression to end stage disease.

Objective: To assess the effects prospectively of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily (TNFRSF) fusion proteins TNFRSF1B (etanercept) and TNFRSF1A (p55TNFr-Ig) in patients with TNF receptor associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS)., Methods: Seven patients with a clinical and genetic diagnosis of TRAPS received subcutaneous etanercept for 24 weeks. One of these patients had previously received an intravenous infusion of p55TNFr-Ig. Therapeutic response was assessed by comparing corticosteroid requirement, acute-phase response and an established scoring system over 20 weeks, both on and off etanercept., Results: Etanercept was well tolerated. The five corticosteroid-responsive patients required significantly less corticosteroids and demonstrated reductions in acute-phase reactants on etanercept. The two patients not requiring corticosteroids had small reductions in disease activity scores. The effect of p55TNFr-Ig in a single patient with TRAPS remains unclear., Conclusions: Etanercept does not abolish inflammatory attacks but improves disease activity allowing corticosteroid reduction. Etanercept may be clinically useful in replacing or reducing steroid requirements in the treatment of TRAPS. A formal trial of etanercept to establish its role in clinical management is indicated.

The present report describes and expands the clinical and genetic spectrum of the autoinflammatory disorder, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS). A total of 20 mutations have been identified since our initial discovery of 6 missense mutations in TNF receptor super family 1A (TNFRSF1A) in 1999. Eighteen of the mutations result in amino acid substitutions within the first 2 cysteine-rich domains (CRDs) of the extracellular portion of the receptor. A single splicing mutation also affects the first CRD by causing the insertion of 4 amino acids. Haplotype analysis of the most commonly occurring and ethnically heterogeneous mutation, R92Q, demonstrates an ancient founder; however, analysis of the T50M mutation, another commonly occurring mutation in Irish and Scottish families, does not, suggesting that T50M is a recurring mutation. Mutations that result in cysteine substitutions demonstrate a higher penetrance of the clinical phenotype (93% versus 82% for noncysteine residue substitutions), and also increase the probability of developing life-threatening amyloidosis (24% versus 2% for noncysteine residue substitutions). Retrospective and prospective evaluation of more than 50 patients, representing 10 of the 20 known mutations, allows us to expand and better define the clinical spectrum of TRAPS. Recurrent episodes of fever, myalgia, rash, abdominal pain, and conjunctivitis that often last longer than 5 days are the most characteristic clinical features of TRAPS. Defective shedding of TNFRSF1A can only partially explain the pathophysiologic mechanism of TRAPS, since some mutations have normal shedding. Consequently, other mechanisms may be mediating the observed phenotype. We are currently investigating other possible mechanisms using stable and transiently transfected cell systems in vitro, as well as developing a knockin mouse model. Preliminary data suggest that etanercept may be effective in decreasing the severity, duration, and frequency of symptoms in TRAPS patients. Additionally, it provides a viable therapeutic alternative to glucocorticoid therapy, which has numerous serious, long-term adverse effects. Two clinical trials are being conducted to evaluate the efficacy of etanercept in decreasing the frequency and severity of symptoms in TRAPS. Lastly, we have summarized data that R92Q and P46L, and probably as yet undiscovered substitutions, represent very low penetrance mutations that may play a much larger role in more broadly defined inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Our laboratories are currently undertaking both clinical and basic research studies to define the role of these mutations in more common inflammatory diseases.