New drug causes immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy

Immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy is of recent description and linked, in most cases, to exposure to cholesterol-lowering drugs such as statins.

American clinicians report a novel case in which leflunomide was involved.

• The case presented is that of a 66-year-old female patient followed in rheumatology for rheumatoid arthritis.
• The patient presented an acute episode of muscle weakness associated with a CPKEnzyme contenue dans les cellules musculaires, qui est libérée dans le sang en cas d’atteinte musculaire. level of 20,000 IU/l.
• The muscle biopsy showed necrosis-regeneration images and little inflammationRéaction non spécifique suscitée par un agent pathogène..
• The anti-SRP autoantibodies were positive, unlike the anti-HMGCR autoantibodies.
• An immunosuppressant used in rheumatology, leflunomide (Arava®) was found to be involved.

Significant improvement of the clinical condition and normalization of CPK levels were achieved with the withdrawal of leflunomide and aggressive and prolonged immunosuppressive therapy.

Leflunomide-Induced Immune-Mediated Necrotizing Myopathy in a Patient With Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Case Report. Salazar DM, Damani DN, Kositangool P et al. J Investig Med High Impact Case Rep. 2023 Jan-Dec;11:23247096221150636.