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Title: Adalimumab (Humira) Treatment Does Not Reduce Effect of Flu Shot in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

"Adalimumab (Humira) Treatment Does Not Reduce Effect of Flu Shot in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients"

By Bruce Sylvester WASHINGTON, DC -- November 15, 2006 -- In spite of the immunosuppressive effects of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis with adalimumab (Humira), the drug does not appear to diminish the efficacy of pneumococcal and flu vaccines, researchers reported here at the American College of Rheumatology - Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals Annual Scientific Meeting (ACR-ARHP). Streptococcus pneumoniae and influenza virus can cause morbidity and mortality in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, the authors noted in background to their study. "Although routine pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations are recommended, treatment with steroids, immunosuppressants, and/or [tumor necrosis factor] antagonists may affect immune response," they write. "This study evaluated the effects of adalimumab on antibody response to pneumococcal and influenza vaccines in adult RA patients." The investigators enrolled 226 subjects with active rheumatoid arthritis in a double-blind study during the 2003-2004 influenza season. Each subject received either adalimumab or placebo over a 30-day period. Adalimumab was administered at 80 mg on day 1, followed by 40 mg on days 15 and 29. Each subject received vaccines for pneumococcus (23-valent) and influenza virus (trivalent subvirion) administrated intramuscularly on day 8. The investigators measured responses 4 weeks after the vaccination (day 36). Comparing the percentages of patients with protective antibody concentrations in response to both vaccines, the researchers found no significant difference between the adalimumab and placebo groups among the 208 patients with analyzable data. This result showed that adalimumab therapy did not reduce the ability of subjects to achieve a necessary protective immune response. "This study assures us that these shots are safe and will work for RA patients," said investigator Alan Kivitz, MD, founder and head, Altoona Center for Clinical Research, Altoona, Pennsylvania. The study was funded by Abbott. [Presentation title: Abilities to Develop Protective Antibodies to Pneumococcal and Influenza Vaccine are Maintained in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Patients Treated with Adalimumab (Humira(R)). Abstract 1235]

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