Infliximab treatment of intravenous immunoglobulin-resistant Kawasaki disease

J Pediatr. 2008 Dec;153(6):833-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2008.06.011. Epub 2008 Jul 30.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of the anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha monoclonal antibody infliximab in subjects with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)-resistant Kawasaki disease (KD).

Study design: We conducted a multicenter, randomized, prospective trial of second IVIG infusion (2 g/kg) versus infliximab (5 mg/kg) in 24 children with acute KD and fever after initial treatment with IVIG. Primary outcome measures were the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of infliximab. Secondary outcome measures were duration of fever and changes in markers of inflammation.

Results: Study drug infusions were associated with cessation of fever within 24 hours in 11 of 12 subjects treated with infliximab and in 8 of 12 subjects retreated with IVIG. No infusion reactions or serious adverse events were attributed to either study drug. No significant differences were observed between treatment groups in the change from baseline for laboratory variables, fever, or echocardiographic assessment of coronary arteries.

Conclusions: Both infliximab and a second IVIG infusion were safe and well tolerated in the subjects with KD who were resistant to standard IVIG treatment. The optimal management of patients resistant to IVIG remains to be determined.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / adverse effects
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacokinetics
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Area Under Curve
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Coronary Aneurysm / diagnostic imaging
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Drug Resistance
  • Female
  • Fever / drug therapy
  • Half-Life
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / adverse effects
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / blood
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / therapeutic use*
  • Infant
  • Infliximab
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Male
  • Metabolic Clearance Rate
  • Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Ultrasonography

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
  • Infliximab