Autologous tolerogenic dendritic cells for rheumatoid and inflammatory arthritis

Ann Rheum Dis. 2017 Jan;76(1):227-234. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2015-208456. Epub 2016 Apr 26.

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the safety of intra-articular (IA) autologous tolerogenic dendritic cells (tolDC) in patients with inflammatory arthritis and an inflamed knee; to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the approach and to assess potential effects on local and systemic disease activities.

Methods: An unblinded, randomised, controlled, dose escalation Phase I trial. TolDC were differentiated from CD14+ monocytes and loaded with autologous synovial fluid as a source of autoantigens. Cohorts of three participants received 1×106, 3×106 or 10×106 tolDC arthroscopically following saline irrigation of an inflamed (target) knee. Control participants received saline irrigation only. Primary outcome was flare of disease in the target knee within 5 days of treatment. Feasibility was assessed by successful tolDC manufacture and acceptability via patient questionnaire. Potential effects on disease activity were assessed by arthroscopic synovitis score, disease activity score (DAS)28 and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Immunomodulatory effects were sought in peripheral blood.

Results: There were no target knee flares within 5 days of treatment. At day 14, arthroscopic synovitis was present in all participants except for one who received 10×106 tolDC; a further participant in this cohort declined day 14 arthroscopy because symptoms had remitted; both remained stable throughout 91 days of observation. There were no trends in DAS28 or HAQ score or consistent immunomodulatory effects in peripheral blood. 9 of 10 manufactured products met quality control release criteria; acceptability of the protocol by participants was high.

Conclusion: IA tolDC therapy appears safe, feasible and acceptable. Knee symptoms stabilised in two patients who received 10×106 tolDC but no systemic clinical or immunomodulatory effects were detectable.

Trial registration number: NCT01352858.

Keywords: Inflammation; Rheumatoid Arthritis; Synovial fluid; Treatment.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase I
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Arthritis, Psoriatic / immunology
  • Arthritis, Psoriatic / therapy*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / immunology
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / therapy*
  • Arthroscopy / methods
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / transplantation*
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance
  • Knee Joint
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Transplantation, Autologous / adverse effects
  • Transplantation, Autologous / methods
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01352858