METHODS AND KITS FOR PREDICTING INFUSION REACTION RISK AND ANTIBODY MEDIATED LOSS OF RESPONSE BY MONITORING SERUM URIC ACID DURING PEGYLATED URICASE THERAPY
Methods and kits for predicting infusion reaction risk and antibody-mediated loss of response during intravenous PEGylated uricase therapy in gout patients is provided. Routine SUA monitoring can be used to identify patients receiving PEGylated uricase who may no longer benefit from treatment and who are at greater risk for infusion reactions.
1 - 37 . (canceled)
38 . A method of lowering the risk of an infusion reaction while treating chronic gout refractory to conventional therapy in a patient, the method comprising:
a. intravenously administering to the patient a PEGylated uricase protein every 2 to 4 weeks;
b. measuring the serum uric acid level of the patient after each said administration; and
c. either continuing to administer the PEGylated uricase protein if the patient's serum uric acid is measured to be less than 6 mg/dl, or discontinuing administration of the PEGylated uricase protein if the patient's serum uric acid level is measured to be at least 6 mg/dl, thereby lowering the risk of an infusion reaction.
39 . The method of claim 38 , wherein the PEGylated uricase protein is administered at a dose from 8 to 12 mg.
40 . The method of claim 39 , wherein the PEGylated uricase protein is administered at a dose of 8 mg.
41 . The method of claim 39 , wherein the PEGylated uricase protein is administered at a dose of 12 mg.
42 . The method of claim 38 , wherein the PEGylated uricase protein is administered every two weeks.
43 . The method of claim 38 , wherein the PEGylated uricase protein is administered every three weeks.
44 . The method of claim 38 , wherein the PEGylated uricase protein is administered every four weeks.
45 . The method of claim 38 , wherein the PEGylated uricase protein is pegloticase.
46 . The method of claim 38 , wherein the serum uric acid level is measured 1 week after each administration of the PEGylated uricase protein.
47 . The method of claim 38 , wherein the serum uric acid level is measured 2 weeks after each administration of the PEGylated uricase protein.
48 . The method of claim 38 , wherein the serum uric acid level is measured 3 weeks after each administration of the PEGylated uricase protein.
49 . The method of claim 38 , wherein the conventional therapy is allopurinol therapy.
50 . The method of claim 38 , wherein the patient is administered fexofenadine and hydrocortisone before each administration of the PEGylated uricase protein.
51 . A method of lowering the risk of infusion reactions while treating chronic gout refractory to conventional therapy in a patient, the method comprising:
a. intravenously administering to the patient pegloticase every 2 to 4 weeks;
b. measuring the serum uric acid level of the patient after each said administration; and
c. either continuing to administer pegloticase if the patient's serum uric acid is measured to be less than 6 mg/dl, or discontinuing administration of pegloticase if the patient's serum uric acid level is measured to be at least 6 mg/dl, thereby lowering the risk of an infusion reaction.
52 . The method of claim 51 , wherein pegloticase is administered at a dose from 8 to 12 mg every 4 weeks.
53 . The method of claim 51 , wherein the PEGylated uricase protein is administered every two weeks.
54 . The method of claim 52 , wherein the PEGylated uricase protein is administered every three weeks.
55 . The method of claim 53 , wherein the PEGylated uricase protein is administered every four weeks.
56 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the serum uric acid level is measured 1 to 3 weeks after each administration of pegloticase.
57 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the conventional therapy is allopurinol therapy.