Thoracic aorta involvement in giant cell arteritis: a case-control analysis of morphological data at diagnosis.

OBJECTIVES: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a cause of potentially fatal aortic aneurysms. Descriptive data on thoracic aorta measurements at the beginning of the disease are lacking. We aimed to compare aortic diameters between a recently diagnosed GCA population and an age- and sex-matched control group. METHODS: Patients with GCA and with an available thoracic CT concomitant with diagnosis were included. Controls were patients matched for age and sex and hospitalised in the same care centre for pneumonia. The main criteria were the anteroposterior and lateral diameters of the ascending thoracic aorta, which were measured by a blinded evaluator. RESULTS: 90 cases and 90 controls were included. Each group comprised 30 males and 60 females for a mean age of 75.1±9 and 75.7±10.1 years old. At the time of GCA diagnosis no difference was found between the two groups (anteroposterior diameter 37.1±5 mm for cases vs. 36.7±5 mm for controls, p=0.6; lateral diameter 36.6±5 mm for cases vs. 35.9±4 mm for controls, p=0.3). Thoracic aorta diameter was not significantly higher in patients with aortitis at diagnosis (n=44) than in cases without aortitis (n=46). CONCLUSIONS: Morphologic comparison of thoracic aorta at diagnosis of GCA with an age- and sex-matched control population showed no significant difference. Morphologic evaluation of aorta cannot predict accurately the occurrence of aortic aneurysm. Systematic follow-up according to current recommendations is thus justified.

Orbital mass in ANCA-associated vasculitides: data on clinical, biological, radiological and histological presentation, therapeutic management, and outcome from 59 patients.

OBJECTIVE: Orbital mass is a rare and sight-threatening manifestation of ANCA-associated vasculitides, which remains a therapeutic challenge. We aimed to describe the presentation, therapeutic management and outcome of ANCA-associated vasculitides-related orbital mass. METHODS: We conducted a French nationwide retrospective study of patients with orbital mass in the setting of ANCA-associated vasculitides according to ACR criteria and/or Chapel Hill Consensus Conference definitions. RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients [33 women, median age 46 (range 7-90) years] were included. Fifty-six (95%) patients had granulomatosis with polyangiitis, two eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis and one microscopic polyangiitis. Orbital mass was unilateral in 47 (80%) cases, and seemed to develop from ENT involvement in most cases. Orbital mass biopsy was available in 32 (54%) patients, showing lymphoplasmacytic infiltration in 65%, fibrosis in 55%, granulomas in 48% and vasculitis in 36%. All patients but one received glucocorticoids as first-line therapy associated with immunosuppressive agents in 82%, mainly cyclophosphamide. Response to therapy was noted in 52% of patients treated with cyclophosphamide compared with 91% of those treated with rituximab. Twenty-seven (46%) patients required a second-line therapy because of relapse (59%) or refractory course (41%). Sequelae included visual impairment in 28%, with definitive blindness in 17%. Refractory course was associated with PR3-ANCA positivity, visual loss and contiguous pachymeningitis. CONCLUSION: Orbital mass is associated with refractory course and high frequency of sequelae, especially blindness. Refractory course is associated with PR3-ANCA positivity, visual loss and contiguous pachymeningitis.

Efficacy of tocilizumab highlighted by FDG-PET/CT in a patient with relapsing polychondritis-associated aortitis.

Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare systemic inflammatory disease primarily affecting the ears, nose and tracheobronchial tree cartilage, but also the cardiovascular system. Cardiovascular complications are the second cause of mortality in RP. We report the case of a woman with a corticosteroid-resistant RP-associated aortitis, who was successfully treated with tocilizumab (TCZ). The FDG-PET/CT was a useful tool for diagnosing aortitis and assessing the effect of biotherapy. We conducted a systematic literature review confirming this is the first case of rapid and sustained remission in a patient with corticosteroid-resistant RP-associated aortitis after TCZ treatment administered as a first-line immunotherapy. However, further studies are needed to confirm the beneficial effect of TCZ used in this life-threatening condition.

Efficacy of Biological-Targeted Treatments in Takayasu Arteritis: Multicenter, Retrospective Study of 49 Patients.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this work was to assess the safety and efficacy of biologics (ie, tumor necrosis factor-α antagonists and tocilizumab) in patients with Takayasu arteritis. METHODS AND RESULTS: This was a retrospective, multicenter study of the characteristics and outcomes of 49 patients with Takayasu arteritis (80% female; median age, 42 years [20-55 years] treated by tumor necrosis factor-α antagonists [80%] or tocilizumab [20%]) and fulfilling American College of Rheumatology or Ishikawa criteria. Factors associated with complete response were assessed. Eighty-eight percent of patients with Takayasu arteritis were inadequately controlled with or were intolerant to conventional immunosuppressive therapy (median number, 3 [1-5]). Overall response (ie, complete and partial) to biological-targeted treatments at 6 and 12 months was 75% and 83%, respectively. There were significantly lower C-reactive protein levels at the initiation of biological-targeted treatments (22 mg/L [10-46 mg/L] versus 58 mg/L [26-76 mg/L]; P=0.006) and a trend toward fewer immunosuppressants drugs used before biologics (P=0.054) in responders (ie, complete or partial responders) relative to nonresponders to biological-targeted treatments. C-reactive protein levels and daily prednisone dose significantly decreased after 12 months of biological-targeted treatments (30 versus 6 mg/L [P<0.05] and 15 versus 7.5 mg [P<0.05] at baseline and 12 months, respectively). The 3-year relapse-free survival was 90.9% (83.5%-99%) over the biological treatment period compared with 58.7% (43.3%-79.7%; P=0.0025) with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. No difference in efficacy was found between tumor necrosis factor-α antagonists and tocilizumab. After a median follow-up of 24 months (2-95 months), 21% of patients experienced adverse effects, with biological-targeted treatments discontinued in 6.6% of cases. CONCLUSION: This nationwide study shows a high efficacy of biological-targeted treatments in refractory patients with Takayasu arteritis with an acceptable safety profile.

Absence of recognition of common melanocytic antigens by T cells isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid of a Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada patient.

PURPOSE: Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) syndrome is an autoimmune disease characterized by inaugural uveomeningitidis and hearing loss and at late stages a depigmentation in eyes and skin. Melanocytes are the cells common to the four affected tissues, namely eye, brain, inner ear, and skin. Melanocytes are therefore considered as the source of self-antigens. The melanocytic proteins tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP1), TRP2, tyrosinase, and gp100 have been proposed as the proteins targeted by autoreactive T cells from VKH patients bearing human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1*04:05, the HLA allele classically associated with VKH disease. The objective of this work was to determine the antigens recognized by a large number of potentially autoreactive CD4 T lymphocytes obtained from the cerebrospinal fluid of one VKH patient who did not express HLA-DRB1*04:05. METHODS: T cells were isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid of a newly diagnosed HLA-DRB1*14:01,*15:03;-DPB1*01:01,*04:02 patient in the acute phase of the VKH disease and cloned by limiting dilution. Each of the 107 T cell clones, of which 90% were CD4(+), was tested for its ability to secrete cytokines upon contact with autologous antigen-presenting cells loaded with either of the melanocytic proteins TRP1, TRP2, tyrosinase, gp100, Melan-A and KU-MEL-1. The sensitivity of our recombinant bacteria-based approach was validated with a CD4 T cell clone with known antigen specificity. The ability of each of the 107 clones to secrete cytokines upon nonspecific stimulation was verified. RESULTS: None of the 107 T cell clones was able to secrete tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, interleukin (IL)-5, or IL-17 upon contact with autologous B cells loaded with any of the six common melanocytic proteins. Nine clones secreted high-level IL-17 upon stimulation with beads coated with antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: The self-antigens that triggered the VKH disease in this patient probably derive from proteins other than the six melanocytic proteins mentioned above. Further study of antigens that are recognized by potential autoreactive T cells from VKH patients is likely to benefit from testing a broader set of melanocytic proteins.

Cellular pattern and orbital fat involvement are possible risk factors for the failure of corticosteroids in patients with pure idiopathic orbital inflammation syndrome: lessons from the French prospective SIOI cohort study (part II).

PURPOSE: To better characterise the effects of corticosteroids on the course of pure idiopathic orbital inflammation syndrome (pIOIS). METHODS: This was a national, multicentre, prospective, non-interventional cohort study (SIOI). Among the 35 patients with histologically proven orbital inflammation who had previously been studied for their IgG4 immunostaining status, we selected those with a negative IgG4 status (ie, pIOIS) who received corticosteroids as single first-line treatment. Clinical, morphological and pathological findings at diagnosis and during follow-up from treatment initiation to study completion were analysed. Patients were assessed for their response to prednisone after the 24-month prospective phase in terms of remission (≤10 mg/d) or failure (>10 mg/d). Daily standard doses of prednisone (DSDP) were calculated at different time-points and compared between response groups. RESULTS: Of the 17 patients with pIOIS included in the final analysis, two-thirds received corticosteroids only. DSDP (mg/kg-day) were significantly higher at the time of failure in eight patients (47%) than in nine (53%) remitting at M24 (0.16 vs 0.045; p: 0.03). Notably, patients with pIOIS with a cellular pattern or orbital fat involvement tended to receive higher daily corticosteroid doses in the event of failure than remission (0.16 vs 0.045 and 0.12 vs 0.042, respectively). During treatment, maximal DSDP was 0.52 in failed patients. CONCLUSION: The highest corticosteroid doses were insufficient to prevent failure in patients with pIOIS, particularly in those with a cellular pattern or orbital fat involvement. Large-scale interventional studies are now necessary to clarify prognostic factors and optimise corticosteroid management in patients with pIOIS.

Adult-onset asthma associated with periocular xanthogranuloma: new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in a very rare systemic disease.

PURPOSE: To report some novel findings concerning the systemic manifestations and treatment of adult-onset asthma and periocular xanthogranuloma, a rare type of non-Langerhans histiocytosis that can lead to important visual dysfunction. METHODS: A retrospective case series of 2 patients was evaluated for orbital and systemic manifestations using fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT and/or orbital MRI. Histological specimens were reviewed in all patients. Oral prednisone was initiated at 1 mg/kg daily and gradually tapered to a minimum effective dose. Efficacy was assessed on the basis of an objective observation of decreased swelling. RESULTS: One patient displayed original uptake foci involving intrathoracic lymphadenopathies, the trajectory of the paraumbilical vein and perirectal fat. Low-dose prednisone was able to induce a durable response in the authors' patients. CONCLUSIONS: Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT may be useful for the diagnostic workup and follow-up assessment of patients with adult-onset asthma and periocular xanthogranuloma. Oral corticosteroids can be used successfully as first-line treatment in such patients.

F-18 Fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT as a Diagnostic Tool in Orbital Inflammatory Disorders.

PURPOSE: To assess the usefulness of FDG-PET/CT as a potential diagnostic tool for detecting underlying systemic diseases (SD) in patients with orbital inflammatory disorders (OID). METHODS: All consecutive patients managed for new-onset OID between 2011 and 2018 in a tertiary referral center, who underwent FDG-PET/CT as part of the etiological diagnostic workup were evaluated. To quantify the incremental value of FDG-PET/CT over standard diagnostic workup, the Net Reclassification Index (NRI) and Integrated Discrimination Index (IDI) were used. RESULTS: Among the 22 patients enrolled, 11 (50%) had a positive FDG-PET/CT. After clinicobiological evaluation, FDG-PET/CT correctly reclassified 4(29%) of 14 patients with SD (p = .04) and 1(13%) of 8 with idiopathic orbital inflammation syndrome (p = .32). NRI and IDI were 0.41 ± 0.17 (p = .03) and 0.38 ± 0.08 (p < .001), respectively. FDG-PET/CT successfully detected asymptomatic lesions in all (n = 4) patients with lymphoma. CONCLUSION: FDG-PET/CT enabled accurate reclassification of more than one-quarter of patients with SD, especially extraorbital lymphomas.

A short course of corticosteroids reduces the risk of mechanical ventilation and death in patients with moderate to severe COVID 19 pneumonia: results of a retrospective monocentric cohort.

BACKGROUND: Reduced mortality at 28 days in patients treated with corticosteroids was demonstrated, but this result was not confirmed by certain large epidemiological studies. Our aim was to determine whether corticosteroids improve the outcomes of our patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia. METHODS: Our retrospective, single centre cohort study included consecutive patients hospitalized for moderate to severe COVID-19 pneumonia between March 15 and April 15 2020. An early short course of corticosteroids was given during the second phase of the study. The primary composite endpoint was the need for mechanical ventilation or mortality within 28 days of admission. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to estimate the propensity score, i.e. the probability of each patient receiving corticosteroid therapy based on the initial variables. RESULTS: About 120 consecutive patients were included, 39 in the "corticosteroids group", 81 in the "no corticosteroids group"; their mean ages (±SD) were 66.4 ± 14.1 and 66.1 ± 15.2 years, respectively. Mechanical ventilation-free survival at 28 days was higher in the "corticosteroids group" than in the "no corticosteroids group" (71% and 29% of cases, respectively, p < .0001). The effect of corticosteroids was confirmed with HR .28 (95%CI .10-.79), p = .02. In older and comorbid patients who were not eligible for intensive care, the effect of corticosteroid therapy was also beneficial (HR .36 (95%CI .16-.80), p = .01). CONCLUSION: A short course of corticosteroids reduced the risks of death or mechanical ventilation in patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 pneumonia in all patients and also in older and comorbid patients not eligible for intensive care.

IgG4-related disease in patients with idiopathic orbital inflammation syndrome: data from the French SIOI prospective cohort.

PURPOSE: To better characterize IgG4-related disease (RD) in the setting of idiopathic orbital inflammation syndrome (IOIS). METHODS: National, multicentre, prospective, observational cohort study. Among the patients consecutively included in the French multicentre SIOI cohort, we selected those who underwent orbital and/or adnexal biopsy. Clinical, morphological and pathological findings at diagnosis were blindly analysed. Serum IgG4 levels at inclusion were measured and all available biopsy specimens were immunostained for IgG4 and IgG. Biopsy samples with more than 10 IgG4-positive plasma cells per high-power field and a IgG4+/IgG+ plasma cell ratio above 40% were scored as positive. IgG4-positive patients were then screened for comprehensive diagnostic criteria for IgG4-RD. RESULTS: Of the 87 patients included, 35 had histologically documented IOIS. Thirteen patients (37%) with a mean age at onset of 27 years (range 21-78) had IgG4-positive biopsies, among which 10 patients (77%) and 3 (23%, with IgG4 serum levels >1.35 g/L) were considered as having probable and definite IgG4-RD, respectively. The latter 13 patients more frequently fulfilled histological criteria for IgG4-RD (including plasmacytic infiltrate (p = 0.006), fibrosis (p = 0.0025) and periphlebitis (p = 0.075)) than IgG4-negative patients. Storiform fibrosis was exclusively found in orbital tissues from IgG4-positive patients (n = 3, 23%). Eosinophilia associated with recurrent sinusitis or asthma was a prominent feature in patients with definite IgG4-RD. CONCLUSIONS: More than one-third of patients with biopsy-proven IOIS satisfied criteria for IgG4-RD, but only a few had a definite type.

Expert opinion on the use of biological therapy in non-infectious uveitis.

INTRODUCTION: Conventional immunosuppressive drugs, anti-TNF alpha treatments and biotherapies are increasingly being used in non-infectious uveitis. AREAS COVERED: The present work was led by a multidisciplinary panel of experts, including internal medicine specialists, rheumatologists and ophthalmologists, and proposes an extensive review on the use of biological agents in non-infectious uveitis. EXPERT OPINION: In case of dependency to steroids or sight-threatening disease, conventional immunosuppressive drugs (methotrexate, azathioprine and mycophenolate mofetil) and/or biological therapies such as anti-TNF alpha treatments (adalimumab, infliximab) can be used to achieve and maintain disease quiescence. Interferon is an efficient immunomodulatory drug that can be proposed as second-line therapy in specific indications (eg. refractory macular edema, sight-threatening Behçet's uveitis). Other biologics, especially tocilizumab, are showing promising results. Local treatments (steroids, sirolimus etc.) can be used as adjuvant therapies in case of unilateral relapse. Therapeutic response must always be evaluated by clinical examination and appropriate ancillary investigations.

Successful treatment of idiopathic orbital inflammation with infliximab: an alternative to conventional steroid-sparing agents.

Therapy for orbital pseudotumor, also called idiopathic orbital inflammation, is nonspecific and mainly based on the use of corticosteroids. Two patients with steroid-dependent idiopathic orbital inflammation, one with myositis and the other with dacryoadenitis, and intolerant of standard steroid sparing agents (methotrexate or azathioprine), were treated with infliximab, a monoclonal antitumor necrosis factor alpha antibody. In both patients, orbital manifestations disappeared following treatment. After follow-up for at least 20 months, the 2 patients still receiving infliximab remained event free. Infliximab enabled steroid tapering to less than 5 mg per day, suggesting that infliximab could constitute an alternative to conventional steroid sparing agents.

Efficacy of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Combined with Cognitive Training in the Treatment of Apathy in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease: Study Protocol for a Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Apathy, commonly defined as the loss of motivation, is a symptom frequently encountered in Alzheimer's Disease (AD). The treatment of apathy remains challenging in the absence of any truly effective medications. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) or Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) can improve cognitive disorders, but do not appear to improve apathy. Isolated cognitive training also appears to have no effect on apathy. We propose to test the efficacy of a new procedure for the treatment of apathy in AD patients consisting of a combination of tDCS and cognitive training, based on the latest guidelines for the design of therapeutic trials in this field. METHODS/DESIGN: This article primarily describes the design of a monocentre, randomized, doubleblind trial to be conducted in France to evaluate the effect of the combination of tDCS and cognitive training on apathy compared to a group treated exclusively by cognitive training (sham tDCS). Twenty- four patients under the age of 90 years with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease (Mini Mental State Examination score between 15 and 26/30) (MMSE)) presenting clinically significant apathy evaluated by the Apathy Inventory (AI) and the NeuroPsychiatric Inventory (NPI) apathy subscore will be enrolled. Severe depression will be excluded by using the NPI depression subscore. Treatment will comprise 10 sessions (D0-D11) including tDCS (bilateral prefrontal, temporal and parietal targets) and Cognitive Training (Cog) (6 simple tasks involving working memory, language and visuospatial function). After randomization (ratio 2:1), 16 patients will receive the complete treatment comprising tDCS and Cog (group 1) and 8 patients will be treated exclusively by Cog (sham tDCS) (group 2). The primary endpoint will be a significant improvement of the AI score by comparing baseline measures (D-15) to those recorded one month after stopping treatment (D44). Secondary endpoints will be an improvement of this score immediately after treatment (D14), 2 weeks (D29) and 2 months (D74) after stopping treatment and improvement of the MMSE score, NPI apathy subscore, ADAS Cog (Alzheimer Disease Assessment cognitive Scale subsection), ADCS-ADL (Alzheimer Disease Cooperative Study-Activities of Daily Living), FAB (Frontal Assessment Battery) and the latency of P300 evoked potentials at the same timepoints. CONCLUSION: The purpose of our study is to check the assumption of tDCS and cognitive training efficacy in the treatment of apathy encountered in AD patients and we will discuss its effect over time.

Safety of Intravenous Immunoglobulin (Tegeline®), Administered at Home in Patients with Autoimmune Disease: Results of a French Study.

The efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) in patients with autoimmune diseases (AID) has been known for several decades. Majority of these patients received IVIg in hospital. A retrospective study was conducted in 22 centers in France to evaluate the feasibility of the administration of Tegeline, an IVIg from LFB Biomedicaments, and assess its safety at home, compared to in hospital, in patients with AID. The included patients were at least 18 years old, suffering from AID, and treated with at least 1 cycle of Tegeline at home after receiving 3 consecutive cycles of hospital-based treatment with Tegeline at a dose between 1 and 2 g/kg/cycle. Forty-six patients with AID, in most cases immune-mediated neuropathies, received a total of 138 cycles of Tegeline in hospital and then 323 at home. Forty-five drug-related adverse events occurred in 17 patients who received their cycles at home compared to 24 adverse events in hospital in 15 patients. Serious adverse events occurred in 3 patients during home treatment, but they were not life-threatening and did not lead to discontinuation of Tegeline. Forty-five patients continued their treatment with Tegeline at home or in hospital; 39 (84.8%) were still receiving home treatment at the end of the study. In conclusion, the study demonstrates the good safety profile of Tegeline administered at home at high doses in patients with AID who are eligible for home administration of Tegeline.

HIBISCUS: Hydroxychloroquine for the secondary prevention of thrombotic and obstetrical events in primary antiphospholipid syndrome.

The relapse rate in antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) remains high, i.e. around 20%-21% at 5 years in thrombotic APS and 20-28% in obstetrical APS [2, 3]. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) appears as an additional therapy, as it possesses immunomodulatory and anti-thrombotic various effects [4-16]. Our group recently obtained the orphan designation of HCQ in antiphospholipid syndrome by the European Medicine Agency. Furthermore, the leaders of the project made the proposal of an international project, HIBISCUS, about the use of Hydroxychloroquine in secondary prevention of obstetrical and thrombotic events in primary APS. This study has been launched in several countries and at now, 53 centers from 16 countries participate to this international trial. This trial consists in two parts: a retrospective and a prospective study. The French part of the trial in thrombosis has been granted by the French Minister of Health in December 2015 (the academic trial independent of the pharmaceutical industry PHRC N PAPIRUS) and is coordinated by one of the members of the leading consortium of HIBISCUS.

Aortitis in giant cell arteritis: diagnosis with FDG PET/CT and agreement with CT angiography.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the detection rate of aortitis in giant cell arteritis (GCA) with fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET) and to compare the findings with CT angiography (CTA). METHODS: Fifty-two GCA patients and 27 controls were included. GCA patients had a PET scan at diagnosis (35/52) or during relapse (17/52). Concomitant CTA was performed in 35/52 patients. Aortitis was defined as FDG uptake higher than the liver for PET and wall thickness≥3mm for CTA. Agreement between PET and CTA was evaluated by the kappa coefficient and Spearman correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Aortitis was diagnosed using PET in 40% (14/35) of patients at diagnosis and in 0% of controls (0/27). Agreement was perfect between PET and CT at a patient-based level, and very good at a vascular segment-based level (kappa: 0.72 to 1). PET was positive in 35% (6/17) of patients scanned during GCA relapse, showing aortitis (n=4) and/or articular uptake (n=4). Discrepancies between PET and CT were observed only in relapsing GCA (n=3). Correlation between the maximum standardized uptake value and wall thickness was moderate at diagnosis (r: 0.57 to 0.7) and not statistically significant during relapse. CONCLUSIONS: The detection rate of aortitis in GCA patients using PET is 40%, approximately in the range of CTA rates, suggesting that the two techniques have similar sensitivity. PET seems valuable in relapsing GCA, allowing the detection of vascular and articular activities.

In Vivo Tissue Engineering of Human Airways.

BACKGROUND: Airway transplantation remains a major challenge in thoracic surgery. Based on our previous laboratory work, we developed the techniques required to bioengineer a tracheal substitute in vivo using cryopreserved aortic allografts as biological matrices (Replacement of the Airways and/or the Pulmonary Vessels Using a Cryopreserved Arterial Allograft [TRACHEOBRONCART] Study, NCT01331863). We present here 2 patients who had a definitive tracheostomy for complex laryngotracheal stenoses refractory to conventional therapy. METHODS: According to our protocol, a stented gender-mismatched -80°C cryopreserved aortic allograft was used for airway reconstruction. Follow-up assessments were done at regular intervals using clinical, imaging, and endoscopic evaluations. Immunohistochemical and XX/XY chimerism studies were performed at time of stent removal using graft biopsy specimens. Chemotactic and angiogenic properties of implanted matrices were also investigated. RESULTS: At a maximal follow-up of 5 years and 7 months, the patients were breathing and speaking normally, without tracheostomy or stent. Regeneration of cartilage within the aortic grafts was demonstrated by positive immunodetection of type II collagen and markers specific for Sox9. Chimerism study from samples of neotissues demonstrated that regenerated cartilage came from recipient cells. The remaining viable matrix cells released a functionally relevant amount of proangiogenic, chemoattractant, proinflammatory/immunomodulatory cytokines, and growth factors. CONCLUSIONS: This report documents the feasibility of in vivo tissue engineering for long-term functional airway transplantation in humans.

Efficacy and safety of TNF antagonists in ocular sarcoidosis: data from the French registry STAT.

Backgroung: This study investigated the efficacy and safety of TNF antagonists in sarcoid uveitis in unselected cases. Design: This is a multicentre study on patients with sarcoidosis who received TNF antagonists in pneumology and internal medicine departments in France. We present here the subgroup of patients with biopsy-proven sarcoid uveitis included in the nationwide registry STAT (Sarcoidosis treated with TNF AnTagonists). Results: Among the 132 patients included in this multicenter study, 18 patients with refractory uveitis were treated as a first-line TNF antagonist with infliximab (n=14), adalimumab (n=3) and certolizumab (n=1). Before anti-TNF initiation, the median duration of sarcoidosis was 42 months and 83% of the patients have been treated with at least one immunosuppressive drug. Six patients switched for a second-line TNF antagonist. After a mean time under treatment of 29 months, the treatment resulted in a significant decrease of the ophthalmic extrapulmonary Physician Organ Severity Tool (ePOST) (mean score: 4.2 vs. 2.6) scores and a steroid sparing effect (29.4±20.7 vs. 6.2±5.2 mg/d). Overall, the ophthalmic response, either complete or partial, was 67%. Nine patients (50%) presented adverse events, including severe infectious complications in 5 patients, which required anti-TNF treatment interruption in 6 cases (33%). Among the 7 responder patients who discontinued anti-TNF therapy, 71% relapsed. Finally, 12 patients (67%) could continue TNF antagonist treatment. Conclusions: TNF antagonists were efficient in 67% of biopsy-proven refractory sarcoid uveitis. Severe adverse events, mainly infectious complications, were frequent. The high frequency of relapses after anti-TNF-α discontinuation requires a close patient follow-up thereafter. (Sarcoidosis Vasc Diffuse Lung Dis 2017; 34: 74-80).