Combined mepacrine–hydroxychloroquine treatment in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and refractory cutaneous and articular activity

Author:

Ugarte A1,Porta S12,Ríos R3,Martinez-Zapico A14,Ortego-Centeno N3,Agesta N5,Ruiz-Irastorza G1ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Autoimmune Diseases Research Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Biocruces, Hospital Universitario Cruces, UPV/EHU Bizkaia, The Basque Country, Spain

2. Rheumatology Department, Hospital J.M. Ramos Mejía, Buenos Aires, Argentina

3. Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Clínico San Cecilio, Granada, Spain

4. Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain

5. Department of Dermatology, Hospital Universitario Cruces, Bizkaia, Spain

Abstract

Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical response to combined therapy with hydroxychloroquine and mepacrine in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and refractory joint and/or skin disease. Methods Mepacrine was added to 46 systemic lupus erythematosus patients unresponsive to treatment with the following drug combinations: hydroxychloroquine + prednisone + immunosuppressive drugs ( n = 24), hydroxychloroquine + prednisone ( n = 16), hydroxychloroquine + prednisone + retinoids ( n = 2), hydroxychloroquine alone ( n = 1), hydroxychloroquine + one immunosuppressive drug ( n = 1), hydroxychloroquine + prednisone + one immunosuppressive drug + belimumab ( n = 1) or hydroxychloroquine + prednisone + belimumab ( n = 1). The outcome variable was the clinical response, either complete or partial, based on clinical judgement. The Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI) and the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score were additionally used. Results A total of 91% patients showed complete/partial response, with similar rates among those with joint or skin disease. In patients with cutaneous activity, a statistically significant decrease in the CLASI was seen. There also was a statistically significant decrease in the SLEDAI. The mean daily dose of prednisone decreased from 5.8 to 3.4 mg/d ( p = 0.001). Prednisone could be discontinued in 20% of patients. No serious adverse events were seen. Smoking was the only predictor of complete response. Conclusion In the setting of refractory skin and/or joint disease, the addition of mepacrine to previous therapy including hydroxychloroquine was safe and effective in reducing disease activity and decreasing prednisone doses. The fact that smokers responded better opens the door to further studying the combination of mepacrine–hydroxychloroquine as a first-line therapy in such patients.

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Subject

Rheumatology

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