Pilot Study of Tocilizumab Monotherapy for Active Chronic Periaortitis

Patients enrolled received intravenous infusions of TCZ (8 mg/kg) at inclusion and then every 4 weeks for at least 3 months. Demographic and clinical features, laboratory findings and imaging examinations were recorded at baseline and during 3-month follow-up. Imaging improvement was converted into the ratio of perivascular soft tissues shrinkage by evaluating 2 dimensions of greatest change on computed tomography (CT) at baseline and after 3 months. Partial remission was defined as obtaining alleviation of symptoms and normalization of inflammatory markers including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), with shrinkage of soft tissue mass in imaging <70%. Further, complete remission was defined as normalization of inflammatory markers accompanied by shrinkage of soft tissue mass ≥70%.

Inclusion criteria

• adults ≥ 18 years of age at time of informed consent;
• meet clinical diagnostic criteria including (1) imaging findings show perivascular soft tissue density mass surrounding thoracic aorta, abdominal aorta or iliac arteries; (2) histopathological findings show fibrous tissue with chronic inflammatory infiltrate comprised of lymphocytes, plasma cells and macrophages (Neutrophils and granulomas are rare). Patients who satisfied (1) but without histopathological examination were perceived as possible CP;
• at active stage: clinical symptoms or organ involvement; a higher level of ESR and CRP than normal;

Exclusion criteria

• Secondary forms of CP related to drugs, infections, malignancies, Erdheim-Chester disease or other autoimmune diseases were excluded.
• Combined with other autoimmune diseases.
• Known immunodeficiency disorder.
• Pregnancy, lactation, or planning to become pregnant within 6 months of the test.
• Positive test for, or prior treatment for, hepatitis B or HIV infection. A positive test for hepatitis B is detection of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) or HBV-DNA.
• Evidence of active tuberculosis (TB), including Chest X-ray and PPD.
• Severe abnormal liver function or cardiac insufficiency.
• Any reason the investigator think that should not attend this trial.