The clinical value of hematological markers in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with tocilizumab

Abstract

BackgroundEmerging evidence indicates that some hematological markers have critical value in evaluating treatment response. This study was performed to determine the clinical value of hemoglobin (Hb), platelet (Plt), neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients treated with tocilizumab (TCZ).MethodsFifty‐two RA patients receiving TCZ were recruited and followed for 6 months. The values of abovementioned hematological markers were collected. Clinical disease activity index (CDAI) and disease activity score based on 28 joints (DAS28)‐ESR were calculated. Correlation analysis was conducted by calculating Pearson's correlation coefficient. The change in disease activity between groups according to the baseline level of hematological markers was compared by t test.ResultsSignificant correlation between change in NLR (△NLR), change in PLR (△PLR), and change in CDAI (△CDAI) was found (△NLR: r = 0.30, P = 0.03; △PLR: r = 0.31, P = 0.03). The change in Plt (△Plt) was correlated with change in DAS28‐ESR (△DAS28‐ESR) (r = 0.36, P = 8.24 × 10−3). Greater improvement in CDAI was seen in patients categorized into Plt high group (t = 2.06, P = 0.04), NLR high group (t = 2.15, P = 0.04), and PLR high group (t = 2.41, P = 0.02) compared with the contrast group.ConclusionOur study demonstrated that △Plt, △NLR, and △PLR could be used to monitor the clinical response to TCZ. RA patients with high baseline levels of Plt, NLR, and PLR achieved more improvement, indicating these hematological markers might be utilized to guide TCZ treatment.

Expression and clinical significance of circular RNAs hsa_circ_0000175 and hsa_circ_0008410 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis

“…In addition, PBMC hsa_circ_0000175 was correlated with inflammatory markers, including WBc, N, N%, L, L% and NLR, which reflect the activity and severity of RA (28). Moreover, PBMC hsa_circ_0008410 was correlated with TJc, disease duration and PLT, which are associated with the development of peripheral neuropathy and are correlated with dAS28 (29,30), and PcT, which is associated with the treatment of RA (31). Thus, these data indicated that PBMc hsa_circ_0000175 and hsa_ circ_0008410 were associated with the activity and severity of RA.…”

Differential Effects of MS Therapeutics on B Cells—Implications for Their Use and Failure in AQP4-Positive NMOSD Patients

“…In a more recent trial with 118 included patients, 92% of treated NMOSD patients were relapse-free after 48 weeks compared to 69% in the azathioprine group with similar findings regarding disability progression [ 233 ]. Neither did treatment alter lymphocyte, B cell, transitional B cell and plasmablast count, nor did it alter BAFF levels of treated patients [ 234 , 235 ]. However, Toclizumab was shown to reduce memory B cell subsets in rheumatoid arthritis patients as well as IgA and IgG serum levels [ 236 ].…”

B Cells and Antibodies as Targets of Therapeutic Intervention in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders

“…Treatment with tocilizumab had neither an impact on total lymphocyte count and absolute B cell, transitional B cell and plasmablast numbers, nor did it alter BAFF levels of treated patients [ 156 , 157 ]. However, tocilizumab was shown to reduce memory B cell subsets as well as IgA and IgG serum levels in rheumatoid arthritis patients [ 158 ].…”