Canakinumab in biologic-naïve patients with Still’s disease: Real-life data from the AIDA registry

Link to article DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2022.1071732

Interleukin (IL)-1 inhibitors are largely employed in patients with Still’s disease. The present work assesses provides a real-life experience on the potential differences in the effectiveness of canakinumab in biologic-naïve patients between the systemic and the chronic-articular course.

Patients affected by Still’s disease and treated with canakinumab as first-line biologic agent were enrolled. We retrospectively analyzed their data which were extracted from the AutoInflammatory Disease Alliance (AIDA) international registry dedicated to Still’s disease.

The study results showed no differences were observed between the systemic and the chronic-articular Still’s disease in the frequency of complete response, of flares after the start of canakinumab and in the persistence in therapy. Similarly canakinumab displayed no differences in systemic disease activity, disease activity score on 28 joints and the use of concomitant drugs between the systemic and chronic articular pattern.

Canakinumab used as first-line biologic therapy in Still’s disease proved to be effective in controlling both clinical and laboratory parameters, regardless of disease course. These excellent results might have been further enhanced by the early start of IL-1 inhibition.