CASE REPORT

Switching the therapy from etanercept to infliximab in a child with rheumatoid factor positive polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Authors

Yasuhito Nerome¹, Hiroyuki Imanaka¹, Yukiko Nonaka¹ and Syuji Takei¹

1. Department of Pediatrics, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan

Received:

19 April 2007

Accepted:

10 July 2007

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Abstract

Tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα)-blocking agents have been used increasingly in the treatment of severe refractory juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). However, some patients have been forced to discontinue these agents because of the lack of efficacy or adverse events. In these situations, cases of switching from one TNF-blocking agent to another are reported in rheumatoid arthritis, but there are few cases in JIA. This report documents the case of a patient with JIA who improved following a switch from etanercept to infliximab.

Key words

Etanercept - Infliximab - Juvenile idiopathic arthritis