Adalimumab-induced rhupus syndrome in a female patient affected with anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA)-positive rheumatoid arthritis (RA): A case report and review of literature

Abstract

We report a 38-year-old female patient affected with anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA)-positive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who developed mild hemolytic anemia (Hb = 10.5 vs. >12 gr/dL), indolent oral ulceration, ANA (1:1280, homogeneous pattern), and anti-dsDNA antibody positivity following 8 months of therapy with an adalimumab biosimilar (GP2017). Rhupus syndrome was diagnosed. Replacing GP2017 with infliximab, anemia, oral ulcer, and anti-dsDNA antibodies quickly disappeared, while low-titers (1:80) ANA are still present after more than a year. The possibility that the patient suffered from rhupus rather than drug-induced lupus erythematosus associated to anti-ACPA positivity RA was discussed. To date, after a 14-month follow-up, no manifestations of LE have reappeared. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of adalimumab-induced rhupus.