Adult-onset Still\'s disease (AOSD) is a rare autoinflammatory disease characterized by intermittent fever and a combination of symptoms, such as an evanescent rash synchronous with fever, arthralgia/arthritis, lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly. The diagnosis is based on a characteristic constellation of symptoms and the exclusion of infections, hemato-oncological diseases, infectious diseases and alternative rheumatological causes. The systemic inflammatory reaction is reflected by high levels of ferritin and C‑reactive protein (CRP). The pharmacological treatment concept includes glucocorticoids often in combination with methotrexate (MTX) and ciclosporine (CSA) for reduction of steroids. The interleukin 1 (IL-1) receptor antagonist anakinra, the IL-1beta antibody canakinumab or an IL‑6 receptor blockage with tocilizumab (off label for AOSD) are used where there is no response to MTX or CSA. Anakinra or canakinumab can be used as a primary option in AOSD in cases of moderate and severe disease activity.
UNASSIGNED: Das adulte Still-Syndrom (engl. „adult-onset Still’s disease“ [AOSD]) ist eine seltene, autoinflammatorische Erkrankung, die durch intermittierendes Fieber und eine Kombination aus Symptomen wie flüchtigem, fiebersynchronem Exanthem, Arthralgien/Arthritis, Lymphadenopathie, Hepatosplenomegalie u. a. charakterisiert ist. Die Diagnose stützt sich auf eine charakteristische Symptomkonstellation und den Ausschluss von Infektionen, hämatoonkologischen Erkrankungen, Infektionserkrankungen und alternativen rheumatologischen Ursachen. Hohe Ferritin- und C‑reaktives Protein-Werte spiegeln die systemische Entzündungsreaktion wider. Therapeutisch werden Glukokortikoide oft in Kombination mit Methotrexat (MTX) oder Ciclosporin (CSA) zu Steroidreduktion eingesetzt. Der IL(Interleukin)-1-Rezeptorantagonist Anakinra, der IL-1β-Antikörper Canakinumab oder eine IL-6-Rezptorblockade mit Tocilizumab (bei AOSD „off label“) werden bei fehlendem Ansprechen auf MTX oder CSA eingesetzt. Anakinra oder Canakinumab können bei moderater und hoher Krankheitsaktivität auch primär eingesetzt.

Adult-onset Still\'s disease (AOSD) is a rare autoinflammatory disease characterized by intermittent fever and a combination of symptoms, such as an evanescent rash synchronous with fever, arthralgia/arthritis, lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly. The diagnosis is based on a characteristic constellation of symptoms and the exclusion of infections, hemato-oncological diseases, infectious diseases and alternative rheumatological causes. The systemic inflammatory reaction is reflected by high levels of ferritin and C‑reactive protein (CRP). The pharmacological treatment concept includes glucocorticoids often in combination with methotrexate (MTX) and ciclosporine (CSA) for reduction of steroids. The interleukin 1 (IL-1) receptor antagonist anakinra, the IL-1beta antibody canakinumab or an IL‑6 receptor blockage with tocilizumab (off label for AOSD) are used where there is no response to MTX or CSA. Anakinra or canakinumab can be used as a primary option in AOSD in cases of moderate and severe disease activity.
UNASSIGNED: Das adulte Still-Syndrom (engl. „adult-onset Still’s disease“ [AOSD]) ist eine seltene, autoinflammatorische Erkrankung, die durch intermittierendes Fieber und eine Kombination aus Symptomen wie flüchtigem, fiebersynchronem Exanthem, Arthralgien/Arthritis, Lymphadenopathie, Hepatosplenomegalie u. a. charakterisiert ist. Die Diagnose stützt sich auf eine charakteristische Symptomkonstellation und den Ausschluss von Infektionen, hämatoonkologischen Erkrankungen, Infektionserkrankungen und alternativen rheumatologischen Ursachen. Hohe Ferritin- und C‑reaktives Protein-Werte spiegeln die systemische Entzündungsreaktion wider. Therapeutisch werden Glukokortikoide oft in Kombination mit Methotrexat (MTX) oder Ciclosporin (CSA) zu Steroidreduktion eingesetzt. Der IL(Interleukin)-1-Rezeptorantagonist Anakinra, der IL-1β-Antikörper Canakinumab oder eine IL-6-Rezptorblockade mit Tocilizumab (bei AOSD „off label“) werden bei fehlendem Ansprechen auf MTX oder CSA eingesetzt. Anakinra oder Canakinumab können bei moderater und hoher Krankheitsaktivität auch primär eingesetzt.

Adult-onset Still\'s disease (AOSD) is a rare inflammatory condition characterized by fever, rash, and arthritis. Because of its rarity, clinical trials are inherently small and often uncontrolled. Our objective was to develop recommendations for the use of interleukin (IL)-1 inhibitors in the management of patients with AOSD, based on the best evidence and expert opinion.
A panel of 10 experts (9 rheumatologists and 1 pediatrician) was established. The first step was dedicated to a comprehensive literature review and development of statements. Two separate literature searches were performed on the MEDLINE (Pubmed), EMBASE, and BIOSIS databases through April 2018 to identify (1) differences and similarities between AOSD and pediatric Still\'s disease (systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis [SJIA]) and (2) the efficacy and safety of IL-1 inhibitors in AOSD treatment. In the second step, the statements were submitted in a Delphi process to a panel of 67 rheumatologists. Consensus threshold was set at 66%: positive, > 66% of voters selected scores 3 to 5; negative, > 66% of voters selected scores 1 or 2. In the third step, the voting results were analyzed, and the statements were finalized.
Eleven statements were developed. Forty-six of 67 rheumatologists (72%) participated in the Delphi process. A positive consensus was reached after the first round of voting and was full (> 95%) on the majority of statements. A large consensus was achieved in considering AOSD and SJIA as the same disease. The use of anti-IL-1 therapies in refractory patients was considered quite safe and effective both as the first and as a subsequent line of biologic treatment, especially in systemic patients. Because of the lack of head-to-head comparisons, a different profile of efficacy among IL-1 inhibitors could not be established. There was a large consensus that failure of the first IL-1 inhibitor does not preclude response to another one. The lack of studies comparing early versus late treatment did not allow to draw conclusions; however, data from SJIA suggest a better response in early treatment.
The Delphi method was used to develop recommendations that we hope will help clinicians in the management of patients with AOSD refractory to conventional therapies.

Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis is a rare febrile arthritis of childhood characterized by a potentially severe course, including prolonged glucocorticoid exposure, growth failure, destructive arthritis, and life-threatening macrophage activation syndrome. Early cytokine-blocking biologic therapy may improve long-term outcomes, although some systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients respond well to non-biologic treatment, leaving optimal management undefined. Consequently, treatment of new-onset systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis by expert clinicians varies widely.
To describe a pragmatic, observational comparative effectiveness study that takes advantage of diversity in the management of a rare disease: FiRst-Line Options for Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis Treatment (FROST), comparing non-biologic and biologic consensus treatment plans for new-onset systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis within the 60-center Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance Registry (CARRA).
FiRst-Line Options for Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis Treatment (FROST) is a multicenter, prospective, non-randomized study that compares four Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA) consensus treatment plans for new-onset systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis: (1) glucocorticoids alone, (2) methotrexate, (3) interleukin-1 blockade, and (4) interleukin-6 blockade. Patients consenting to participation in the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA) Registry are started on one of four Consensus Treatment Plans at the discretion of the treating physician. The outcome of primary interest is clinically inactive disease off glucocorticoids at 9 months, comparing non-biologic (Consensus Treatment Plans 1 + 2) versus biologic (Consensus Treatment Plans 3 + 4) strategies. Bayesian analytic methods will be employed to evaluate response rates, using propensity scoring to balance treatment groups for potential confounding. With 200 patients in a 2:1 ratio of biologic to non-biologic, there is a >90% probability of finding biologic consensus treatment plans more effective if the rate of clinically inactive disease is 30% higher than for non-biologic therapy. Additional outcomes include Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System measures and other parent-/patient-reported outcomes reported in real time using smartphone technology. Routine operation of the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA) Registry will allow assessment of outcomes over at least 10 years.
FiRst-Line Options for Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis Treatment (FROST) began enrollment in November 2016.
The observational design may not provide balance in measured and unmeasured confounders. Use of consensus treatment plan (CTP) strategies at frequencies more unbalanced than predicted could reduce the chance of finding differences in efficacy.
FiRst-Line Options for Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis Treatment (FROST) will provide the first prospective comparison of Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance\'s (CARRA\'s) consensus-derived non-biologic versus biologic management strategies in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, performed in a real-world setting wherein each patient receives standard-of-care treatment selected by the treating physician. Outcomes include clinician- and patient-/family-reported outcomes, empowering both physician and patient decision making in new-onset systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

BACKGROUND: The present review is part of the ESCMID Study Group for Infections in Compromised Hosts (ESGICH) Consensus Document on the safety of targeted and biological therapies.
OBJECTIVE: To review, from an Infectious Diseases perspective, the safety profile of agents targeting interleukins, immunoglobulins and complement factors and to suggest preventive recommendations.
METHODS: Computer-based MEDLINE searches with MeSH terms pertaining to each agent or therapeutic family.
BACKGROUND: Patients receiving interleukin-1 (IL-1) -targeted (anakinra, canakinumab or rilonacept) or IL-5-targeted (mepolizumab) agents have a moderate risk of infection and no specific prevention strategies are recommended. The use of IL-6/IL-6 receptor-targeted agents (tocilizumab and siltuximab) is associated with a risk increase similar to that observed with anti-tumour necrosis factor-α agents. IL-12/23-targeted agents (ustekinumab) do not seem to pose a meaningful risk of infection, although screening for latent tuberculosis infection may be considered and antiviral prophylaxis should be given to hepatitis B surface antigen-positive patients. Therapy with IL-17-targeted agents (secukinumab, brodalumab and ixekizumab) may result in the development of mild-to-moderate mucocutaneous candidiasis. Pre-treatment screening for Strongyloides stercoralis and other geohelminths should be considered in patients who come from areas where these are endemic who are receiving IgE-targeted agents (omalizumab). C5-targeted agents (eculizumab) are associated with a markedly increased risk of infection due to encapsulated bacteria, particularly Neisseria spp. Meningococcal vaccination and chemoprophylaxis must be administered 2-4 weeks before initiating eculizumab. Patients with high-risk behaviours and their partners should also be screened for gonococcal infection.
CONCLUSIONS: Preventive strategies are particularly encouraged to minimize the occurrence of neisserial infection associated with eculizumab.