Rheumatoid Arthritis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Rheumatoid Arthritis, including details on treatment, symptoms, causes, medication.

Efficacy of thalidomide in systemic onset juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

García-Carrasco M, Fuentes-Alexandro S, Escárcega RO, Rojas-Rodriguez J, Escobar LE

Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Research Unit, HGZ #36, CMN Manuel Avila Camacho, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Puebla, Mexico. 30591mgc@comb.es

Thalidomide is an immunomodulating agent which reverses many of the cytokine disturbances seen in systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SoJIA) with inadequate response to other treatments. We report 3 cases of recalcitrant SoJIA which improved dramatically after treatment with thalidomide. PATIENTS: Three children aged 9, 8, and 6 years diagnosed with SoJIA treated with conventional therapy including NSAIDs, corticosteroids, methotrexate and etanercept failed to respond fully and their condition worsened. Thalidomide was begun based on two previous reports showing its efficacy in recalcitrant SoJIA. RESULTS: Thalidomide produced successful remission of the disease in all 3 patients according to the preliminary criteria for inactive disease and clinical remission of JIA. CONCLUSION: Thalidomide may be a viable, alternative corticoid-sparing therapy in patients with recalcitrant, multidrug-resistant SoJIA.

Published 23 October 2007 in Joint Bone Spine, 74(5): 500-3.
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