Dynamics of the level of calprotectin in patients with rheumatoid arthritis during rituximab biosimilar (Acellbia “Biocad”) therapy

Abstract

Objective.To study the relationship between the level of calprotectin (CP) and RA activity, the level of acute phase reactants, proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines and growth factors, to assess its dynamics during rituximab (RTM) biosimilar therapy.Material and methods.20 patients with RA were examined. All patients received 2 intravenous infusions of RTM (Acellbia®) at a dose of 600 mg with an interval of 2 weeks against the background of methotrexate therapy. The level of CP in blood serum was measured by ELISA.Results.Before starting DAS28 (5.6 [4.9–6.8]), SDAI (27.17 [23.08–39.9]) and CDAI (26.6 [22.25–37.0]) corresponded to the high disease activity. A decrease in disease activity was noted after 12 and 24 weeks of therapy: the DAS28 value was 4.28 [3.24–4.75] and 4.14 [3.11–4.66], respectively (p<0.05). Before the start of therapy, patients with RA had a higher CP level compared with healthy donors 9.68 (4.5–21.5) and 2.39 (1.52–4.45) μg/ml, respectively (p<0.05). Against the background of RTM therapy, there was a decrease in the CP level 12 weeks after the first infusion of the drug in the group as a whole by 26.5% from the initial level, among patients with moderate/no effect of therapy – by 32.7% from the initial level.Conclusion.The CP level significantly decreases during therapy and can be used to monitor the effectiveness of therapy. The predictive value of this laboratory parameter requires further study.