Recombinant Interleukin‐1 Receptor Antagonist Is an Effective <scp>First‐Line</scp> Treatment Strategy in <scp>New‐Onset</scp> Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Irrespective of <scp>HLA‐DRB1</scp> Background and <scp><i>IL1RN</i></scp> Variants

Abstract

We observed high rates of CID using anakinra as first-line treatment irrespective of HLA-DRB1 or IL1RN variants. Only one of the 17 HLA-DRB1*15:01 carriers developed sJIA-LD, and of the three patients with drug reactions to biologics, only one carried HLA-DRB1*15:01. Although thorough monitoring for the development of drug hypersensitivity and refractory disease courses in sJIA, including sJIA-LD, remains important, our data support the early start of biologic therapy in patients with new-onset sJIA irrespective of HLA-DRB1 background or IL1RN variants.