Treatment of juvenile localized scleroderma: current recommendations, response factors, and potential alternative treatments.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Juvenile localized scleroderma (jLS) is a chronic autoimmune and fibrosing disease associated with a high risk for functional impairment. Antifibrotic options are limited, so current treatment strategies are focused on disease activity control. Pediatric rheumatologists are in consensus on the need to treat with systemic immunosuppressants, in particular, methotrexate. However, more than 30% of patients fail initial methotrexate treatment. This review provides an update on current management and reviews reports on potential alternative treatments. RECENT FINDINGS: An overview of current treatment recommendations and its efficacy are discussed. Recent studies have identified several factors associated with likelihood of treatment response. These include time to initiation of treatment, certain subtypes, and extracutaneous involvement. Findings from recent reports of alternative systemic immunomodulators, including biologic medications, will be summarized. SUMMARY: Methotrexate treatment has greatly improved outcome for most jLS patients but a substantial portion have refractory cutaneous and/or extracutaneous disease. Treatment response factors are being identified, which could lead to improved management strategies. Recent studies provide further support on mycophenolate mofetil as an alternative treatment. Data on biologic therapies is encouraging, with data suggesting efficacy for many extracutaneous manifestations but more studies are needed to evaluate these and other options for jLS.

[Validation of the total morbidity score and investigation of the efficacy of methotrexate in localized scleroderma]. / Validierung des "Total Morbidity Scores" und Untersuchung der Wirksamkeit von Methotrexat bei der lokalisierten Sklerodermie.

BACKGROUND: Localized scleroderma is an autoimmune disease belonging to the group of collagenoses, which can manifest cutaneously and extracutaneously. The extracutaneous manifestations may have significant morbidity but are not considered in previous scoring systems. For this reason, another scoring system, the total morbidity score (TMS) was developed, which also takes into account the extracutaneous symptoms. METHOD: In the retrospective monocentric study at the Hamburg Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology, the TMS was applied to patients from 2004-2019 suffering from localized scleroderma who had at least one control presentation. In addition, data were analyzed according to the previously established localized scleroderma cutaneous assessment tool (LoSCAT) scoring systems to ensure better comparability to the TMS. Furthermore, the score values were considered and compared during the course of treatment with methotrexate (MTX). RESULTS: Due to a lack of control presentations, data from 51 of the 95 patients with a confirmed diagnosis could be included in the retrospective evaluation. The treatment of these patients was considered over a period of 2 years, from the initial presentation over at least 3 further control presentations. The TMS total score remained largely constant. There was a weak correlation between the TMS total score and the localized scleroderma skin damage index (mLoSDI), which indicates the degree of damage. In addition, insignificant changes in the TMS total score were shown over time with MTX treatment (T1/T4: -0.007). DISCUSSION: The evaluation showed that the TMS total score is mainly fed by the extracutaneous manifestations, demonstrating the inaccuracy of previous scores. Another advantage of the TMS is that different scores are assigned depending on whether the feature is new, persistent, improving, or even worsening. The TMS is more time consuming to collect but enables a more accurate assessment of disease activity.

Preliminary evidence on abatacept safety and efficacy in refractory juvenile localized scleroderma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of abatacept treatment for refractory juvenile localized scleroderma (jLS) in a retrospective study. METHODS: A multicentre cohort study was performed to evaluate jLS subjects treated with abatacept with follow-up for 12 months to maximum of 24 months. Assessments at 6-month intervals included skin activity measures and physician global assessment of activity (PGA-A). Descriptive statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: Eighteen subjects were studied with median age of 13.4 years, the majority had linear scleroderma subtype, and musculoskeletal involvement. All had previously failed MTX and/or mycophenolate mofetil treatment and glucocorticoids. Abatacept was added to the subject's maintenance DMARD treatment; 13 also received glucocorticoids at start of abatacept. No serious adverse events occurred. Skin activity and PGA-A scores declined in nearly all by 6 months and continued to improve from 6 to 12 months. At 12 months, 15 (83%) subjects were considered responders, two (11%) treatment failures, and one dropped out for adverse event. Response was sustained for 11 (61%) subjects to 18 months and eight (44%) to 24 months. Overall, four (22%) subjects were treatment failures and three (16.7%) discontinued abatacept for adverse event. Active musculoskeletal problems improved in most affected subjects. Ten subjects were able to discontinue initial glucocorticoid and six concomitant DMARD treatment. CONCLUSION: Abatacept was found to be safe and effective for jLS subjects refractory to standard of care treatment. Subjects experienced improvement in both skin and musculoskeletal activity. Prospective studies should be performed to more fully evaluate abatacept's efficacy.

Extracutaneous involvement is common and associated with prolonged disease activity and greater impact in juvenile localized scleroderma.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate factors associated with extracutaneous involvement (ECI) in juvenile localized scleroderma (jLS). METHODS: A prospective, multicentre, 6-month observational study was performed. The data collected included disease features, global assessments, and subject symptoms. Bivariate and linear multilevel regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: A total of 86 jLS subjects (80% female, 80% Caucasian), median age of disease onset 7.7 years, were evaluated. Most had linear scleroderma or mixed morphea. Of the 86 subjects, 49 (57%) had 125 extracutaneous problems {median 2 [interquartile range (IQR) 1, 3] per subject} from nine organ systems. Most of these subjects had multiple musculoskeletal problems. ECI was associated with more extensive cutaneous involvement, higher number of symptoms, family history of autoimmunity, and ANA and RF positivity. Subjects with ECI had higher scores for physician global assessment of damage (PGA-D), and parental global assessment of disease impact, but not baseline physician global assessment of disease activity (PGA-A). Although subjects with ECI received more MTX and glucocorticoid treatment, they had a slower reduction in PGA-A scores and symptoms over time, suggesting a poorer response to treatment. In logistic regression modelling, female sex had the largest effect on parental impact scores. CONCLUSION: ECI occurred in the majority of subjects with jLS, and was associated with more medication use, longer treatment duration, higher PGA-D scores, and higher parental assessment of disease impact. Our findings suggest that jLS subjects with ECI have greater overall disease burden, both cutaneous and extracutaneous, and poorer response to treatment. More study of the treatment needs of this population is warranted.

Artemisinin resistance phenotypes and K13 inheritance in a Plasmodium falciparum cross and Aotus model.

Concerns about malaria parasite resistance to treatment with artemisinin drugs (ARTs) have grown with findings of prolonged parasite clearance t1/2s (>5 h) and their association with mutations in Plasmodium falciparum Kelch-propeller protein K13. Here, we describe a P. falciparum laboratory cross of K13 C580Y mutant with C580 wild-type parasites to investigate ART response phenotypes in vitro and in vivo. After genotyping >400 isolated progeny, we evaluated 20 recombinants in vitro: IC50 measurements of dihydroartemisinin were at similar low nanomolar levels for C580Y- and C580-type progeny (mean ratio, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.62-1.61), whereas, in a ring-stage survival assay, the C580Y-type progeny had 19.6-fold (95% CI, 9.76-39.2) higher average counts. In splenectomized Aotus monkeys treated with three daily doses of i.v. artesunate, t1/2 calculations by three different methods yielded mean differences of 0.01 h (95% CI, -3.66 to 3.67), 0.80 h (95% CI, -0.92 to 2.53), and 2.07 h (95% CI, 0.77-3.36) between C580Y and C580 infections. Incidences of recrudescence were 57% in C580Y (4 of 7) versus 70% in C580 (7 of 10) infections (-13% difference; 95% CI, -58% to 35%). Allelic substitution of C580 in a C580Y-containing progeny clone (76H10) yielded a transformant (76H10C580Rev) that, in an infected monkey, recrudesced regularly 13 times over 500 d. Frequent recrudescences of ART-treated P. falciparum infections occur with or without K13 mutations and emphasize the need for improved partner drugs to effectively eliminate the parasites that persist through the ART component of combination therapy.

Serum-based soluble markers differentiate psoriatic arthritis from osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to identify soluble biomarkers that differentiate psoriatic arthritis (PsA) from osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: Markers of cartilage metabolism (cartilage oligomeric matrix protein [COMP], hyaluronan), metabolic syndrome (adiponectin, adipsin, resistin, hepatocyte growth factor [HGF], insulin, leptin) and inflammation (C-reactive protein [CRP], interleukin-1ß [IL-1ß], IL-6, IL-8, tumour necrosis factor alpha [TNFα], monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 [MCP-1], nerve growth factor [NGF]) were compared in serum samples from 201 patients with OA, 77 patients with PsA and 76 controls. Levels across the groups were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Pairwise comparisons were made with Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify markers that differentiate PsA from OA. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed based on multivariate models. The final model was further validated in an independent set of 73 PsA and 75 OA samples using predicted probabilities calculated with coefficients of age, sex and biomarkers. RESULTS: Levels of the following markers were significantly different across the three groups (p<0.001)-COMP, hyaluronan, resistin, HGF, insulin, leptin, CRP, IL-6, IL-8, TNFα, MCP-1, NGF. In multivariate analysis, COMP (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.46), resistin (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.48), MCP-1 (OR 1.10, 95% CI 0.07 to 1.48) and NGF (OR<0.001, 95% CI <0.001 to 0.25) were found to be independently associated with PsA versus OA. The area under the ROC curve (AUROC) for this model was 0.99 compared with model with only age and sex (AUROC 0.87, p<0.001). Similar results were obtained using the validation sample. CONCLUSION: A panel of four biomarkers may distinguish PsA from OA. These results need further validation in prospective studies.

Altered expression of K13 disrupts DNA replication and repair in Plasmodium falciparum.

BACKGROUND: Plasmodium falciparum exhibits resistance to the artemisinin component of the frontline antimalarial treatment Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy in South East Asia. Millions of lives will be at risk if artemisinin resistance (ART-R) spreads to Africa. Single non-synonymous mutations in the propeller region of PF3D7_1343700,"K13" are implicated in resistance. In this work, we use transcriptional profiling to characterize a laboratory-generated k13 insertional mutant previously demonstrated to have increased sensitivity to artemisinins to explore the functional role of k13. RESULTS: A set of RNA-seq and microarray experiments confirmed that the expression profile of k13 is specifically altered during the early ring and early trophozoite stages of the mutant intraerythrocytic development cycle. The down-regulation of k13 transcripts in this mutant during the early ring stage is associated with a transcriptome advance towards a more trophozoite-like state. To discover the specific downstream effect of k13 dysregulation, we developed a new computational method to search for differential gene expression while accounting for the temporal sequence of transcription. We found that the strongest biological signature of the transcriptome shift is an up-regulation of DNA replication and repair genes during the early ring developmental stage and a down-regulation of DNA replication and repair genes during the early trophozoite stage; by contrast, the expressions of housekeeping genes are unchanged. This effect, due to k13 dysregulation, is antagonistic, such that k13 levels are negatively correlated with DNA replication and repair gene expression. CONCLUSION: Our results support a role for k13 as a stress response regulator consistent with the hypothesis that artemisinins mode of action is oxidative stress and k13 as a functional homolog of Keap1 which in humans regulates DNA replication and repair genes in response to oxidative stress.

Back pain in psoriatic arthritis: defining prevalence, characteristics and performance of inflammatory back pain criteria in psoriatic arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the agreement between rheumatologist-judged inflammatory back pain (IBP) and criteria defining IBP in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and predictive value of IBP in identifying axial involvement in PsA. METHODS: Using prospectively collected data, we investigated the agreement between rheumatologist judgement of IBP and IBP criteria (Calin, Rudwaleit and Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society) using the kappa coefficient. We also determined the sensitivity, specificity and likelihood ratios of the presence of back pain, rheumatologist-judged IBP and the three IBP criteria for detecting axial PsA (AxPsA). Finally, we compared the clinical and genetic markers in patients with PsA with axial radiological changes with and without back pain. RESULTS: 171 patients (52% male, mean age 46.6 years) were identified. Ninety-six (56.13%) patients reported chronic back pain. Sixty-five (38.01%) had IBP. 54 (32%) patients had evidence of radiological change in the spine. The agreement between rheumatologist judgement of IBP and IBP criteria was highest for the Calin criteria (0.70). Positive likelihood ratio for the presence of radiological axial involvement was highest for Rudwaleit criteria (2.17). No differences between patients with AxPsA with or without back pain were found, except for higher Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index and lower prevalence of human leucocyte antigen-B*38 in those with back pain. CONCLUSION: Rheumatologist-judged IBP or the criteria for IBP developed for ankylosing spondylitis may not perform well when ascertaining axial involvement in PsA.

Natural history and extracutaneous involvement of congenital morphea: Multicenter retrospective cohort study and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Congenital morphea is a form of localized scleroderma that presents at birth. There is limited information on its presentation and progression. METHODS: Patients with congenital morphea were identified from five pediatric dermatology and rheumatology tertiary care centers in Canada, the United States, and Italy from 2001 to 2016. Cases from the literature were identified by searching Ovid (EMBASE and MEDLINE) from inception to June 30, 2017. Disease characteristics and prevalence of extracutaneous involvement were analyzed. RESULTS: Thirteen patients were identified from the five centers, and 13 cases were described in the literature, representing 25 patients, with one duplication. Fourteen patients (56%) were female. Median age at diagnosis was 2.9 years (interquartile range 1.2-5.1 years). Linear morphea, including en coup de sabre and Parry-Romberg syndrome, was the most common subtype observed (n = 19, 76%), followed by circumscribed (n = 5, 20%), generalized (n = 2, 8%), and mixed (n = 2, 8%). The face (n = 14, 56%), scalp (n = 8, 32%), and trunk (n = 6, 24%) were the most common locations affected. Most lesions were active at diagnosis (n = 19, 76%), but all patients with follow-up later became inactive. Extracutaneous involvement was seen in 12 (48%) patients, all of whom had linear morphea. Musculoskeletal sequelae were seen in those with linear morphea of the extremities (4/5, 80%), and neurologic involvement was seen in those with linear morphea of the head (8/13, 62%). CONCLUSION: Congenital morphea is associated with extracutaneous manifestations and delayed diagnosis. More research is needed to determine whether early recognition, monitoring, and treatment can alter the disease course.

Physicians' perspectives on the diagnosis and management of periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and cervical adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome.

To assess the practice patterns of pediatric rheumatology and infectious diseases subspecialists in the diagnosis and treatment of periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome. An online survey assessing diagnostic and treatment approaches was sent to 424 members of the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA) and 980 members of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society (PIDS). 277 physicians (123 from CARRA and 154 from PIDS representing 21% of the total membership) completed the survey. To diagnose PFAPA, most respondents agreed that patients must have the following features of the diagnostic criteria: stereotypical fever episodes (95%), asymptomatic intervals between episodes (93%), and normal growth and development (81%). However, 71% of the respondents did not require age of onset <5 years, 33% did not require regular intervals between episodes, and 79% did not require the concomitant signs of aphthous stomatitis, adenitis, or pharyngitis during episodes as long as episodes were regular. Over half (58%) considered episode resolution with steroids to be diagnostic of PFAPA. Corticosteroids, antipyretics, tonsillectomy, and cimetidine were the most commonly prescribed treatments, while steroids and tonsillectomy were most effective. Subspecialists in pediatric rheumatology and infectious diseases showed limited adherence to the complete published criteria for diagnosing PFAPA suggesting heterogeneity in the characteristics of patients diagnosed with the disorder. These findings emphasize the need to develop consensus diagnostic and treatment guidelines in well-characterized patient populations.

Linear Sclerodermoid Lupus Erythematosus Profundus in a Child.

Lupus erythematosus panniculitis, also known as lupus profundus, is a variant in the clinicopathological spectrum of lupus erythematosus (LE) affecting about 2%-3% of LE patients. A linear configuration of LE panniculitis has been reported rarely with rare reports describing the coexistence of different forms of cutaneous LE and localized morphea. In this study, the authors present a 9-year-old girl with linear arrangement of subcutaneous nodules on her left forearm. Microscopic findings from 2 biopsies included lymphocytes at the dermoepidermal junction with mild interface dermatitis, a dense lymphocytic infiltrate that was concentrated around adnexae and subcutaneous fat in concert with thickened collagen bundles and mild widening of fibrous septae surrounding fat lobules. Although the clinical differential diagnosis included panniculitis or a sporotrichoid infection, 1 biopsy showed a dense lymphocytic infiltrate histologically bordered on that of cutaneous lymphoid hyperplasia or a late stage of Lyme disease, and a second also demonstrated more prominent sclerodermoid collagen bundles rendering the diagnosis of linear sclerodermoid LE profundus.

Long-term safety and efficacy of rilonacept in patients with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the long-term safety and efficacy of rilonacept, an anti-interleukin-1 fusion protein, in patients with active systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). METHODS: In patients with systemic JIA, ages 4-20 years, the efficacy of rilonacept was evaluated using 30%, 50%, and 70% levels of improvement according to the adapted American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Pediatric 30, 50, and 70 response criteria, respectively. Efficacy and safety were evaluated during 23 months of open-label treatment (3 phases) after a 4-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase. Following double-blind treatment with 2.2 mg/kg or 4.4 mg/kg of rilonacept, patients were eligible to receive open-label treatment at their prior dose, with adjustments. Reductions in the median daily dose of oral prednisone and improvements in laboratory parameters of disease activity (i.e., decreased levels of D-dimer and myeloid-related proteins [MRPs]) were also evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients entered the double-blind study and 23 entered the open-label period. Patients were predominantly white and female, and had a median age of 14.0 years at baseline. No significant differences in efficacy were observed between the rilonacept- and placebo-treated patients during the double-blind phase, but fever and rash completely resolved by month 3 in all patients during the open-label treatment period and did not recur. Adapted ACR Pediatric 30, 50, and 70 response rates at 3 months from the start of the study were 78.3%, 60.9%, and 34.8%, respectively; these responses were generally maintained over the study duration. Levels of D-dimer and MRP-8/MRP-14 dramatically improved during the study, and in 22 of 23 patients, the prednisone dose was decreased or prednisone therapy was discontinued. No serious treatment-related adverse events were observed. CONCLUSION: Sustained improvements in clinical and laboratory measures of the articular and systemic manifestations of systemic JIA were achieved in >50% of rilonacept-treated patients over 2 years. Treatment with rilonacept had a substantial steroid-sparing effect and was generally well-tolerated.

Best clinical practice in the treatment of juvenile systemic sclerosis: expert panel guidance - the result of the International Hamburg Consensus Meeting December 2022.

INTRODUCTION: Juvenile systemic sclerosis (jSSc) is an orphan disease with a prevalence of 3 in 1,000,000 children. Currently there is only one consensus treatment guideline concerning skin, pulmonary and vascular involvement for jSSc, the jSSc SHARE (Single Hub and Access point for pediatric Rheumatology in Europe) initiative, which was based on data procured up to 2014. Therefore, an update of these guidelines, with a more recent literature and expert experience, and extension of the guidance to more aspects of the disease is needed. AREAS COVERED: Treatment options were reviewed, and opinions were provided for most facets of jSSc including general management, some of which differs from adult systemic sclerosis, such as the use of corticosteroids, and specific organ involvement, such as skin, musculoskeletal, pulmonary, and gastroenterology. EXPERT OPINION: We are suggesting the treat to target strategy to treat early to prevent cumulative disease damage in jSSc. Conclusions are derived from both expert opinion and available literature, which is mostly based on adult systemic sclerosis (aSSc), given shared pathophysiology, extrapolation of results from aSSc studies was judged reasonable.

Capturing the Range of Disease Involvement in Localized Scleroderma: The Localized Scleroderma Total Severity Scale.

OBJECTIVE: Juvenile localized scleroderma (jLS) is a chronic autoimmune disease commonly associated with poor outcomes, including contractures, hemiatrophy, uveitis, and seizures. Despite improvements in treatment, >25% of patients with jLS have functional impairment. To improve patient evaluation, our workgroup developed the Localized scleroderma Total Severity Scale (LoTSS), an overall disease severity measure. METHODS: LoTSS was developed as a weighted measure by a consensus process involving literature review, surveys, case vignettes, and multicriteria decision analysis. Feasibility was assessed in larger Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance groups. Construct validity with physician assessment and inter-rater reliability was assessed using case vignettes. Additional evaluation was performed in a prospective patient cohort initiating treatment. RESULTS: LoTSS severity items were organized into modules that reflect jLS disease patterns, with modules for skin, extracutaneous, and craniofacial manifestations. Construct validity of LoTSS was supported by a strong positive correlation with the Physician Global Assessment (PGA) of severity and damage and weak positive correlation with PGA-Activity, as expected. LoTSS was responsive, with a small effect size identified. Moderate-to-excellent inter-rater reliability was demonstrated. LoTSS was able to discriminate between patient subsets, with higher scores identified in those with greater disease burden and functional limitation. CONCLUSION: We developed a new LS measure for assessing cutaneous and extracutaneous severity and have shown it to be reliable, valid, and responsive. LoTSS is the first measure that assesses and scores all the major extracutaneous manifestations in LS. Our findings suggest LoTSS could aid assessment and management of patients and facilitate outcome evaluation in treatment studies.

Proposed Response Parameters for Twelve-Month Drug Trial in Juvenile Systemic Sclerosis: Results of the Hamburg International Consensus Meetings.

OBJECTIVE: Juvenile systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an orphan disease, associated with high morbidity and mortality. New treatment strategies are much needed, but clearly defining appropriate outcomes is necessary if successful therapies are to be developed. Our objective here was to propose such outcomes. METHODS: This proposal is the result of 4 face-to-face consensus meetings with a 27-member multidisciplinary team of pediatric rheumatologists, adult rheumatologists, dermatologists, pediatric cardiologists, pulmonologists, gastroenterologists, a statistician, and patients. Throughout the process, we reviewed the existing adult data in this field, the more limited pediatric literature for juvenile SSc outcomes, and data from 2 juvenile SSc patient cohorts to assist in making informed, data-driven decisions. The use of items for each domain as an outcome measure in an open label 12-month clinical trial of juvenile SSc was voted and agreed upon using a nominal group technique. RESULTS: After voting, the domains agreed on were global disease activity, skin, Raynaud's phenomenon, digital ulcers, musculoskeletal, cardiac, pulmonary, renal, and gastrointestinal involvement, and quality of life. Fourteen outcome measures had 100% agreement, 1 item had 91% agreement, and 1 item had 86% agreement. The domains of biomarkers and growth/development were moved to the research agenda. CONCLUSION: We reached consensus on multiple domains and items that should be assessed in an open label, 12-month clinical juvenile SSc trial as well as a research agenda for future development.

Barriers to care in juvenile localized and systemic scleroderma: an exploratory survey study of caregivers' perspectives.

BACKGROUND: Juvenile localized scleroderma (LS) and systemic sclerosis (SSc) are rare pediatric conditions often associated with severe morbidities. Delays in diagnosis are common, increasing the risk for permanent damage and worse outcomes. This study explored caregiver perspectives on barriers they encountered while navigating diagnosis and care for their child's scleroderma. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, caregivers of juvenile LS or SSc patients were recruited from a virtual family scleroderma educational conference and a juvenile scleroderma online interest group. The survey queried respondents about their child's condition and factors affecting diagnosis and treatment. RESULTS: The response rate was 61% (73/120), with 38 parents of LS patients and 31 parents of SSc patients. Most patients were female (80%) and over half were non-Hispanic white (55%). Most families had at least one person with a college education or higher (87%), traveled ≤ 2 h to see their rheumatologist (83%), and had private insurance (75%). Almost half had an annual household income ≥ $100,000 (46%). Families identified the following factors as barriers to care: lack of knowledge about scleroderma in the medical community, finding reliable information about pediatric scleroderma, long wait times/distances for a rheumatology/specialist appointment, balance of school/work and child's healthcare needs, medication side effects, and identifying effective medications. The barrier most identified as a major problem was the lack of knowledge about juvenile scleroderma in the medical community. Public insurance, household income less than $100,000, and Hispanic ethnicity were associated with specific barriers to care. Lower socioeconomic status was associated with longer travel times to see the rheumatologist/specialist. Diagnosis and systemic treatment initiation occurred at greater than one year from initial presentation for approximately 28% and 36% of patients, respectively. Families of LS patients were commonly given erroneous information about the disease, including on the need and importance of treating active disease with systemic immunosuppressants in patients with deep tissue or rapidly progressive disease. CONCLUSION: Caregivers of children with LS or SSc reported numerous common barriers to the diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care of juvenile scleroderma. The major problem highlighted was the lack of knowledge of scleroderma within the general medical community. Given that most of the caregiver respondents to the survey had relatively high socioeconomic status, additional studies are needed to reach a broader audience, including caregivers with limited English proficiency, geographical limitations, and financial constraints, to determine if the identified problems are generalizable. Identifying key care barriers will help direct efforts to address needs, reduce disparities in care, and improve patient outcomes.

Phase IIa Global Study Evaluating Rituximab for the Treatment of Pediatric Patients With Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis or Microscopic Polyangiitis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of rituximab (RTX) in pediatric patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) or microscopic polyangiitis (MPA). METHODS: The Pediatric Polyangiitis Rituximab Study was a phase IIa, international, open-label, single-arm study. During the initial 6-month remission-induction phase, patients received intravenous infusions of RTX (375 mg/m2 body surface area) and glucocorticoids once per week for 4 weeks. During the follow-up period, patients could receive further treatment, including RTX, for GPA or MPA. The safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and exploratory efficacy outcomes with RTX were evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-five pediatric patients with new-onset or relapsing disease were enrolled at 11 centers (19 with GPA [76%] and 6 with MPA [24%]). The median age was 14 years (range 6-17 years). All patients completed the remission-induction phase. During the overall study period (≤4.5 years), patients received between 4 and 28 infusions of RTX. All patients experienced ≥1 adverse event (AE), mostly grade 1 or grade 2 primarily infusion-related reactions. Seven patients experienced 10 serious AEs, and 17 patients experienced 31 infection-related AEs. No deaths were reported. RTX clearance correlated with body surface area. The body surface area-adjusted RTX dosing regimen resulted in similar exposure in both pediatric and adult patients with GPA or MPA. Remission, according to the Pediatric Vasculitis Activity Score, was achieved in 56%, 92%, and 100% of patients by months 6, 12, and 18, respectively. CONCLUSION: In pediatric patients with GPA or MPA, RTX is well tolerated and effective, with an overall safety profile comparable to that observed in adult patients with GPA or MPA who receive treatment with RTX. RTX is associated with a positive risk/benefit profile in pediatric patients with active GPA or MPA.

Juvenile Localized Scleroderma: Updates and Differences from Adult-Onset Disease.

Children and adolescents with localized scleroderma (LS) are at high risk for extracutaneous-related functional impairment including hemiatrophy, arthropathy, seizures, and vision impairment. Compared with adult-onset LS, pediatric disease has a higher likelihood for poor outcome, with extracutaneous involvement twice as prevalent in linear scleroderma, disease relapses more common, and disease duration more than double. Consensus among pediatric rheumatologists on treating patients at risk for significant morbidity with systemic immunosuppressants has led to major improvements in outcome. This review discusses recent progress in assessment and treatment strategies and in our understanding of key disease pathways.

Prior elicitation of the efficacy and tolerability of Methotrexate and Mycophenolate Mofetil in Juvenile Localised Scleroderma.

Background: Evidence is lacking for safe and effective treatments for juvenile localised scleroderma (JLS). Methotrexate (MTX) is commonly used first line and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) second line, despite a limited evidence base. A head to head trial of these two medications would provide data on relative efficacy and tolerability. However, a frequentist approach is difficult to deliver in JLS, because of the numbers needed to sufficiently power a trial. A Bayesian approach could be considered. Methods: An international consensus meeting was convened including an elicitation exercise where opinion was sought on the relative efficacy and tolerability of MTX compared to MMF to produce prior distributions for a future Bayesian trial. Secondary aims were to achieve consensus agreement on critical aspects of a future trial. Results: An international group of 12 clinical experts participated. Opinion suggested superior efficacy and tolerability of MMF compared to MTX; where most likely value of efficacy of MMF was 0.70 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.34-0.90) and of MTX was 0.68 (95% CI 0.41-0.8). The most likely value of tolerability of MMF was 0.77 (95% CI 0.3-0.94) and of MTX was 0.62 (95% CI 0.32-0.84). The wider CI for MMF highlights that experts were less sure about relative efficacy and tolerability of MMF compared to MTX. Despite using a Bayesian approach, power calculations still produced a total sample size of 240 participants, reflecting the uncertainty amongst experts about the performance of MMF. Conclusions: Key factors have been defined regarding the design of a future Bayesian approach clinical trial including elicitation of prior opinion of the efficacy and tolerability of MTX and MMF in JLS. Combining further efficacy data on MTX and MMF with prior opinion could potentially reduce the pre-trial uncertainty so that, when combined with smaller trial sample sizes a compelling evidence base is available.