Anakinra at the ACR 2012 in Washington

There have been 8 studies at the ACR 2012 in Washington mentioning anakinra (IL-1Ra-Receptor antagonist).

Pascal Zufferey and colleagues presented a study on rotator cuff calcifications (Abstract No. 135): “A Pilot Study of the Efficacy of IL1 Blockade by Anakinra in Acute Calcific Periarthritis of the Rotator Cuff”. Conclusion: This pilot open study suggests that IL-1Ra inhibition may be an interesting therapeutic approach in acute calcific periarthritis, especially in patients who have not responded adequately to NSAIDs.” The debate will be opened if anakinra is better than steroid injection, which has a clear cost advantage.

Mary Bach and colleagues looked at gouty arthritis (Abstract No. 146): “The Treatment of Acute Gouty Arthritis in Complex Hospitalized Patients with Anakinra”. Conclusion: “Anakinra is an effective and safe alternative treatment for acute gouty arthritis in medically complex patients who fail or cannot undergo more conventional therapy.” Up to now I didn’t have a patient, who “cannot undergo a more conventional therapy”. We should focus on how to decide which patients fit into such a categogy.

Other studies looked at TRAPs, FMF, and other fever syndroms as well as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (Abstracts No. 179, 190 [Schnitzler’s Syndrome], 275 [Juvenile Dermatomyositis], 747, 762, 1142, 2021).

Anakinra is mentioned in a poster on relapsing polychondritis (No. 1923). Two patients were treated with anakinra, but the treatment has been inefficient.

Anakinra and pseudo gout (calcium pyrophosphate crystal arthritis) - what has changed since the EULAR 2012? In abstract No. 146 two case reports on pseudo gout and anakinra are mentioned.

Link to the EULAR evaluation: http://rheumatologe.blogspot.de/2012/07/anakinra-and-pseudogout-calcium.html