RESEARCH - Plasma exchange for RA

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Transfus Apher Sci. 2007 Apr;36(2):195-9.

Plasma exchange for rheumatoid arthritis.

Seror R, Pagnoux C, Guillevin L.

Department of Internal Medicine, Hôpital Cochin, 27, rue du fauborg

Saint-Jacques, Université René-Descartes, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux

de Paris, 75679 Paris cedex 14, France.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common inflammatory joint

disease. Even though, physiopathology of rheumatoid arthritis remains

unclear, the presence of circulating immune complexes and rheumatoid

factors had led to the use of plasma exchange (PE). Even though PE

procedures have evolved over the last decades, their indications and

use in RA must be replaced in the context of the evolution of

disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Results of PE and

leukapheresis were disappointing in patients with severe and resistant

RA. Conversely, immunoadsorption, and particularly over a

Staphylococcus aureus protein A column, has resulted in some good

responses in refractory RA patients. But, the emergence of effective

biologics has clearly restrained their use and limited their

indications to some rare patients with refractory and severe RA.

PMID: 17499763

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17499763

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