Inflammatory myopathies
RSS feedRare forms of transition between dermatomyositis and ankylosing spondylitis
American clinicians investigated a number of cases of juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) in which symptoms and signs consistent with one of the three forms (axial, peripheral or psoriatic) of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) subsequently developed: seven patients met the criteria (clinical and laboratory) for both conditions, an average of seven years elapsed between the diagnosis of JDM … [Read more]
Certain autoimmune diseases, including myositis, are caused by the internalisation of autoantibodies
Researchers from Strasbourg, as part of an international consortium, report the results of large-scale transcriptomic analyses conducted in the context of autoimmune muscle diseases: using in situ RNA sequencing, it was possible to identify transcriptomic signatures specific to certain autoantibodies, these were studied in particular in muscle biopsies from dermatomyositis (Mi2-positive) and scleroderma-overlapping myositis (PM/Scl-positive), … [Read more]
Cases of spontaneous remission of autoimmune necrotizing myopathy
An international consortium of clinicians, including researchers from the Institute*, examined specific cases of statin-associated autoimmune necrotizing myopathy (IMNM), particularly those involving anti-HMGCR autoantibodies: four patients experienced spontaneous remission after discontinuing statins, without the need for heavy immunosuppressive therapy, this remission lasted 6 to 12 months, however, two of the patients relapsed upon reintroduction of … [Read more]
Caution is advised with certain herbal supplements in patients with autoimmune diseases
American doctors have examined the potential risks of over-the-counter herbal products due to their impact on the immune systems of patients with autoimmune conditions such as dermatomyositis: their conclusions are based on a literature review that identified fifteen substances proven (in humans, animals, or cell models) to have an immunostimulatory effect; these non-pharmaceutical products are … [Read more]
The use of autologous CD19 CAR-T cells in refractory autoimmune diseases
A European consortium of researchers reviews the therapeutic use of genetically modified autologous T cells (CAR-T cells): this autologous cell therapy was administered to patients with autoimmune diseases resistant to standard treatments (lupus, scleroderma, and myositis) as part of a Phase I/IIa trial called CASTLE, the product used, zorpo-cel, is a CD19-type CAR-T analog, 24 … [Read more]
How to respond to hyperkinase: recommendations from the European Academy of Neurology
The European Academy of Neurology (EAN), the leading European professional body in neurology, has brought together experts to discuss the diagnostic approach to be adopted in cases of chronic elevation of CPK-type muscle enzymes: this condition is thought to affect 1.3% of the general population, whether individuals are asymptomatic or have few symptoms, various scenarios … [Read more]
French study identifies prognostic markers for interstitial lung disease associated with anti-synthase syndrome
Conducted in seven reference or competence centres in north-eastern France, the TYPASS retrospective study included 132 adults with antisynthetase syndrome and interstitial lung disease: 39% of them had rapidly progressive lung disease, the three factors identified as being associated with this rapid progression were the presence of fever, organised pneumonia or pleural effusion, in addition, … [Read more]
Feedback on inflammatory myositis in the African population of Martinique
Clinicians in Martinique report on their experience in the field of inflammatory myopathies occurring in the Caribbean population of African origin: the records of 174 patients diagnosed in this overseas community between 2000 and 2023 were reviewed, among them, 55 corresponded to anti-synthetase syndrome, 44 to overlap myositis, 44 to dermatomyositis, 16 with polymyositis, 14 … [Read more]
A genetic predisposition to muscle toxicity from checkpoint inhibitors?
Checkpoint inhibitors used in cancer treatment are likely to cause inflammatory myopathies and/or myocarditis. German and Swiss clinicians sought to identify risk factors for the occurrence of this muscle toxicity: 20 patient records, mostly elderly (average age 67), who had presented with myositis or myocarditis between 2017 and 2024 were analysed and compared with those … [Read more]
A French study on the muscular and cardiac toxicity of immune checkpoint inhibitors
French researchers have investigated the adverse effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors, which are latest-generation anti-cancer drugs: their research focused on the myotoxic and cardiotoxic effects of these molecules, data from the national health data system (SNDS) were screened and analysed for the period 2011-2022, based on 172,000 patients treated in France during this period, between … [Read more]
