Efficacy of interleukin-1 targeting treatments in patients with familial mediterranean fever

—Herein, we reported our experience in colchicine-resistant familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) patients who are treated with anti-interleukin-1 (IL-1) drugs. A retrospective review of medical records of anti-IL-1 recipients was performed. The main clinical characteristics of these patients and the evolution after anti-IL-1 were recorded. There were 20 patients (11 male [M] and 9 female [F]). Despite regular colchicine treatment, median number of attacks per month and per year was 1 (1–4) and 12 (4– 50), respectively. Twelve patients were receiving anakinra, and eight patients were treated with canakinumab. The number of monthly and yearly attacks after IL-1 treatment was significantly decreased after the biologic agent (p<0.05). One patient did not respond to the treatment, and one patient developed serious infection during anti-IL-1. We also observed a significant decrease in proteinuria in the amyloidosis complicated FMF patients. Anti-IL-1 targeting drugs seem safe and effective therapies in colchicine-resistant FMF.