Urinary type II collagen neoepitope as an outcome measure for relapsing polychondritis.

Herein we describe the case of a man who was diagnosed as having relapsing polychondritis (RP) when he was 18 years of age and was treated over the course of 2 years with numerous immunosuppressive agents, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) inhibitors. His respiratory symptoms were refractory to treatment. Serum and urine samples were obtained periodically for measurement of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, anti-type II collagen (anti-CII) antibodies, and urinary type II collagen neoepitope (uTIINE) levels.