Refractory Takayasu's arteritis successfully treated with the human, monoclonal anti-tumor necrosis factor antibody adalimumab

摘要: Treatment of Takayasu's arteritis remains a demanding challenge to clinicians. In many patients the course disease is characterized by frequent relapses and progression under conventional treatment with glucocorticoids cytotoxic drugs. We present case young woman severe cerebrovascular aortic involvement, who experienced in spite more than 2 years high doses prednisone, methotrexate cyclophosphamide. this patient, human, monoclonal anti-tumor necrosis factor-alfa (TNFalfa)-antibody adalimumab achieved clinical remission allowed tapering prednisone within few months. The case, as well previous reports on use infliximab giant cell arteries, suggests that TNFa-blockade may be new, promising for glucocorticoid-refractory large-vessel vasculitis.