Effectiveness of janus kinase inhibitors in relapsing giant cell arteritis in real-world clinical practice and review of the literature.

Background: A substantial proportion of patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) relapse despite standard therapy with glucocorticoids, methotrexate and tocilizumab. The Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signalling pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of GCA and JAK inhibitors (JAKi) could be a therapeutic alternative. We evaluated the effectiveness of JAKi in relapsing GCA patients in a real-world setting and reviewed available literature.

Total serum immunoglobulin levels in patients with RA after multiple B-cell depletion cycles based on rituximab: relationship with B-cell kinetics.

Objective: To investigate whether the incidence of secondary hypogammaglobulinaemia in patients with RA following rituximab was related to patterns of B-cell return and relapse.

Methods: CD19(+) B-cell and serum immunoglobulin (sIg) determinations were done every 2 or 3 months in 137 consecutive patients treated with one or more courses of rituximab-based B-cell depletion therapy. The pattern of B-cell return, either concordant or discordant with relapse, was also recorded.