Late Breaking Abstract - Promising Results Of The Infliximab Biosimilar Inflectra (R) In Severe Sarcoidosis Patients

Background: Infliximab, a monoclonal antibody against tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is effective third-line therapy for severe sarcoidosis patients. The originator product of Infliximab, Remicade®, is expensive, which limits universal access. Recently, the less expensive biosimilar of infliximab, Inflectra®, has become available, but the efficacy and tolerability has not been studied in sarcoidosis to date. Methods: From December 2015 until now, all patients starting anti-TNF therapy for refractory sarcoidosis at our institution, were started on Inflectra®. Patients received Inflectra® intravenously monthly at a dose of 5mg/kg. We measured trough levels before every infusion. Side effects were evaluated at every visit. Pulmonary function and disease activity was measured before and after 6 months of therapy using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose by positron emission tomography (18FDG-PET) and soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R). Results: A total of 38 sarcoidosis patients were started on Inflectra, with a mean age of 49 years and 55% was male. The main treatment indication was pulmonary sarcoidosis in 19 patients. The induction phase of 26 weeks was completed by 24 patients until now. Inflectra® significantly reduced SUVmax with 40% (p-value Conclusion: The infliximab biosimilar Inflectra® seems well tolerated and effective in the treatment of refractory sarcoidosis.