Adalimumab, an anti-tumour necrosis factor agent, especially used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, has a good safety profile. One of the most common side-effects of adalimumab is the development of autoantibodies. Despite the induction of autoantibodies, the clinical presentation of immune-mediated complications upon adalimumab therapy, including a lupus-like syndrome, is very rare. We have recently evaluated a new case of adalimumab-induced lupus erythematosus.
1 Haraoui B Keystone E . Musculoskeletal manifestations and autoimmune diseases related to new biologic agents.Curr Opin Rheumatol2006; 18: 96 – 100 .
2.
2 Van Rijthoven AW Bijlsma JW Canninga-van Dijk M Derksen RH van Roon JA . Onset of systemic lupus erythematosus after conversion of infliximab to adalimimab treatment of rheumatoid in rheumatoid arthritis with a pre-existing anti-dsDNA antibody level.Rheumatology (Oxford)2006; 45: 1317 – 1319 .
3.
3 Scheinfeld N . Adalimumab: a review of side effects.Expert Opin Drug Saf2005; 4: 637 – 641 .
4.
4 Gensburger D Kawashima M Marotte H Kanitakis J Miossec P . Lupus erythematosus with leflunomide: induction or reactivation?Ann Rheum Dis2005; 64: 153 – 155 .
6 Elias AR Tam CC David-Bajar KM . Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus associated with leflunomide.Cutis2005; 76: 189 – 192 .
7.
7 Remer CF Weisman MH Wallace DJ . Benefits of leflunomide in systemic lupus erythematosus: a pilot observational study.Lupus2001; 10: 480 – 483 .
8.
8 Tam LS Li EK Wong CK Lam CW Li WC Szeto CC . Safety and efficacy of leflunomide in the treatment of lupus nephritis refractory or intolerant to traditional immunosuppressive therapy: an open label trial.Ann Rheum Dis2006; 65: 417 – 418 .
9.
9 Tam LS Li EK Wong CK Lam CW Szeto CC . Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study of leflunomide in systemic lupus erythematosus.Lupus2004; 13: 601 – 604 .