Key clinical point: Serum levels of interferon beta (IFNβ) may distinguish early from late relapse after biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (bDMARD) withdrawal in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Major finding: Patients with serum IFNβ levels of 3.38 vs. <3.38 in log2 had a significantly lower probability of sustained remission during the first 6 months of bDMARD withdrawal (log-rank test, P = .0177). Serum IFNβ levels of 3.38 in log2 at the time of bDMARD withdrawal predicted early vs. late relapse in patients with highly probable relapses (area under the curve, 0.833) and patients with lower IFNβ levels (<3.38 in log2) were able to safely discontinue bDMARD.
Study details: This prospective study included 40 patients with RA who maintained clinical remission with bDMARDs for >12 months, of which 26 relapsed at some point after bDMARD withdrawal.
Disclosures: This study was partially supported by unlimited research fund from Chugai Pharm, Eisai, and Mitsubishi-Tanabe provided to S Minota. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
Source: Sakashita E et al. Serum level of IFNβ distinguishes early from late relapses after biologics withdrawal in rheumatoid arthritis. Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):16547 (Oct 3). Doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-21160-0.