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Tocilizumab linked with highest risk for neutropenia in comparison study that included abatacept, infliximab
In a comparison study of abatacept, infliximab and tocilizumab for the treatment of 499 patients with rheumatic diseases, tocilizumab was linked with the highest risk of neutropenia.
In their study, Francisco Espinoza, MD, in the Department of Rheumatology at Lapeyronie University Hospital and the University of Montpellier School of Medicine, and colleagues found rheumatoid arthritis was diagnosed in 72% of patients. In addition, 10.4% of patients had at least one episode of neutropenia and there were no episodes of grade 4 neutropenia.
Tocilizumab (18.6%) was linked to neutropenia more often than abatacept (3.8%) or infliximab (2.8%). In addition, neutropenia was associated with history of neutropenia with methotrexate (ratio = 1.56), concomitant treatment with methotrexate (ratio = 1.21) and tocilizumab (ratio = 2.72). Patients who had an episode of tocilizumab-induced neutropenia did not have a higher risk for severe infection; however, they lasted a shorter period of time on the drug (9 months) compared with patients on tocilizumab who did not experience neutropenia (20 months). – by Will A. Offit
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.