The efficacy of interleukin-1 antagonist drugs in combination with colchicine in patients with FMF-AA with colchicine-resistance after kidney transplantation: A study with histopathologic evidence.

BACKGROUND The efficacy of anti-interleukin-1 (IL-1) drugs in kidney transplant patients with FMF-AA who developed colchicine-resistance has not been clearly demonstrated. METHOD 39 kidney transplant recipients with FMF-AA were evaluated. Group 1 consisted of patients who were in remission after transplantation with colchine and Group 2 included those who developed colchicine-resistance. RESULTS The mean follow-up of the patients was 88.5±61.9 months. Following the treatment with IL-1 antagonists; serum Amyloid A (SAA) averages (79.4±35.3 mg/L) as well as the average number of hospitalizations per month due to FMF episodes (1.4±0.5 times/month) decreased significantly (26.6±25.9 mg/L and 0.1±0.3 times/month) (p<0.001). Rates of death with a functional graft were 30% and 0% in group 1 and 2 (p=0.086). Biopsy-proven AA amyloidosis recurrence in the allograft was observed in 11 of 19 (58%) and seven of nine (78%) patients in group 1 and 2, respectively. Interestingly, glomerular amyloid deposition was not present in the vast majority of biopsies. De novo vasculer amyloid deposition was observed during treatment. CONCLUSION IL-1 antagonist drug and colchicine combination almost completely prevented acute FMF attacks in kidney transplant patients with colchicine resistance. However, amyloid accumulation did not cease during IL-1 antagonist drug treatment.