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Th17, CD24hiCD27+ B cells seen as biomarkers of response to biologics for RA
Th17 and CD24hiCD27+ regulatory B lymphocytes were found to be biomarkers of biologic therapy response in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, according to recently published data.
“Whereas, to date, only [rheumatoid factor] RF and [anti-citrullinated peptide antibody] ACPA are used to attempt to stratify patients for personalized treatment, CD24hiCD27+ B cells and Th17 cells may offer predictive value as biomarkers of therapeutic response under biologic drugs and may be able to guide clinicians in their choice of a tailored treatment,” Vincent Goëb, MD, PhD, at the University of Picardie-Jules Verne in France, and colleagues wrote.
Goëb and colleagues assessed 17 controls and 31 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who required initiation or switch to any biologic, except for rituximab. At 1 month, 3 months and 6 months, researchers measured CD24hiCD27+ Breg and CD24hiCD38hi T2/Breg cells, CD25hiCD127low Treg and CD45RA–CD161+CCR6+ Th17 cells. After 6 months, they assessed EULAR treatment response and DAS28.
Researchers found DAS28 remission at 6 months was linked with increased frequency of Treg. A higher level of CD24hiCD27+ Breg at baseline was associated with DAS28 remission at 6 months and a positive EULAR response for patients treated with abatacept (Orencia, Bristol Myers Squibb). A low level of Th17 at initiation was associated with a positive EULAR response at month 6, particularly with anti-cytokine drugs.
“If validated, our data would suggest the prescribing of abatacept if the patient has high baseline levels of CD24hiCD27+ B cells, whereas a low initial level of Th17 cells may guide the choice of an anti-cytokine,” the researchers wrote. – by Will Offit
Disclosure: The researchers report funding by the University of Picardy Jules-Verne.