Anti-TNF therapy in renal amyloidosis in refractory rheumatoid arthritis: a new therapeutic perspective

Abstract

Amyloidosis is a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by extracellular deposits of a material composed of aggregates of amyloid--a poorly coupled protein--far from the site of synthesis, causing target organ dysfunction and clinical disease. Systemic amyloidosis A (AA), secondary to infections and chronic inflammation, especially rheumatoid arthritis (RA), is the most common form of amyloid deposition. Treatment of AA consists in the control or resolution of the baseline condition. The objective of the present study was to report a case of secondary renal amyloidosis in a patient with long-term refractory RA who presented sustained clinical improvement after the use of anti-TNFα (etanercept).