Allergy & Immunology

Tocilizumab plus IVIg reduces HLA antibody burden in highly sensitized kidney candidates

In a prospective controlled cohort of highly sensitized kidney candidates (median cPRA 98.0%), tocilizumab plus IVIg produced any cPRA reduction in 84.2% versus 33.3% with IVIg alone. Median nadir cPRA change favored tocilizumab (-0.9% versus 0.0%; P = 0.02), and treated patients more often cleared high-impact unacceptable antigens. Transplantation rates and early posttransplant outcomes, including rejection and DSA rebound, were similar between groups during follow-up. These results support further evaluation of IL-6 blockade as an adjunctive desensitization strategy but do not establish routine clinical benefit. 1

Protocol to standardize IIM-associated ILD definitions across adult and juvenile studies

This systematic-review protocol maps how idiopathic inflammatory myopathy–related ILD is currently defined in adults and children to inform a consensus definition. The review will extract case definitions, diagnostic methods, ILD patterns, and autoantibody profiles across study types up to June 30, 2025. Outputs aim to identify agreement and heterogeneity to support a Delphi consensus and harmonized nomenclature for research and trials. This protocol does not address prognosis or treatment and is intended as a methodological precursor to future consensus work. 2

Distribution and storage problems shorten biologic drug survival in psoriasis

In 166 Brazilian psoriasis patients on biologics, 49.4% discontinued treatment during follow-up. Supply and distribution problems were associated with higher risk of treatment interruption (RR 1.45, 95% CI 1.07–1.95). After adjustment, the adverse impact was attenuated, likely due to adalimumab's dosing frequency; adalimumab was linked to shorter drug survival (HR 1.51). The authors highlight postinjection waste disposal issues and suggest longer-interval therapies may mitigate access-related discontinuation. 3