@article{TonyBurmesterSchulzeKoopsetal.2011, author = {Tony, Hans-Peter and Burmester, Gerd and Schulze-Koops, Hendrik and Grunke, Mathias and Henes, Joerg and K{\"o}tter, Ina and Haas, Judith and Unger, Leonore and Lovric, Svjetlana and Haubitz, Marion and Fischer-Betz, Rebecca and Chehab, Gamal and Rubbert-Roth, Andrea and Specker, Christof and Weinerth, Jutta and Holle, Julia and M{\"u}ller-Ladner, Ulf and K{\"o}nig, Ramona and Fiehn, Christoph and Burgwinkel, Philip and Budde, Klemens and S{\"o}rensen, Helmut and Meurer, Michael and Aringer, Martin and Kieseier, Bernd and Erfurt-Berge, Cornelia and Sticherling, Michael and Veelken, Roland and Ziemann, Ulf and Strutz, Frank and von Wussow, Praxis and Meier, Florian MP and Hunzelmann, Nico and Schmidt, Enno and Bergner, Raoul and Schwarting, Andreas and Eming, R{\"u}diger and Schwarz-Eywill, Michael and Wassenberg, Siegfried and Fleck, Martin and Metzler, Claudia and Zettl, Uwe and Westphal, Jens and Heitmann, Stefan and Herzog, Anna L. and Wiendl, Heinz and Jakob, Waltraud and Schmidt, Elvira and Freivogel, Klaus and D{\"o}rner, Thomas and Hertl, Michael and Stadler, Rudolf}, title = {Safety and clinical outcomes of rituximab therapy in patients with different autoimmune diseases: experience from a national registry (GRAID)}, series = {Arthritis Research \& Therapy}, volume = {13}, journal = {Arthritis Research \& Therapy}, number = {R75}, doi = {10.1186/ar3337}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-142856}, pages = {1-14}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Introduction: Evidence from a number of open-label, uncontrolled studies has suggested that rituximab may benefit patients with autoimmune diseases who are refractory to standard-of-care. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and clinical outcomes of rituximab in several standard-of-care-refractory autoimmune diseases (within rheumatology, nephrology, dermatology and neurology) other than rheumatoid arthritis or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in a real-life clinical setting. Methods: Patients who received rituximab having shown an inadequate response to standard-of-care had their safety and clinical outcomes data retrospectively analysed as part of the German Registry of Autoimmune Diseases. The main outcome measures were safety and clinical response, as judged at the discretion of the investigators. Results: A total of 370 patients (299 patient-years) with various autoimmune diseases (23.0\% with systemic lupus erythematosus, 15.7\% antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated granulomatous vasculitides, 15.1\% multiple sclerosis and 10.0\% pemphigus) from 42 centres received a mean dose of 2,440 mg of rituximab over a median (range) of 194 (180 to 1,407) days. The overall rate of serious infections was 5.3 per 100 patient-years during rituximab therapy. Opportunistic infections were infrequent across the whole study population, and mostly occurred in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. There were 11 deaths (3.0\% of patients) after rituximab treatment (mean 11.6 months after first infusion, range 0.8 to 31.3 months), with most of the deaths caused by infections. Overall (n = 293), 13.3\% of patients showed no response, 45.1\% showed a partial response and 41.6\% showed a complete response. Responses were also reflected by reduced use of glucocorticoids and various immunosuppressives during rituximab therapy and follow-up compared with before rituximab. Rituximab generally had a positive effect on patient well-being (physician's visual analogue scale; mean improvement from baseline of 12.1 mm)}, language = {en} } @article{MahmoodMuhammadSchmalzingetal.2015, author = {Mahmood, Zafar and Muhammad, Khalid and Schmalzing, Marc and Roll, Petra and D{\"o}rner, Thomas and Tony, Hans-Peter}, title = {CD27-IgD- memory B cells are modulated by in vivo interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R) blockade in rheumatoid arthritis}, series = {Arthritis Research \& Therapy}, volume = {17}, journal = {Arthritis Research \& Therapy}, number = {61}, doi = {10.1186/s13075-015-0580-y}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-126506}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Introduction Enhanced B cell activity, particularly memory B cells have gained interest in evaluating response during therapies with biologics. CD27-IgD- double-negative (DN) B cells lacking the conventional memory marker CD27 are reported to be part of the memory compartment, however, only scarce data is available for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We therefore focused on DN B cells in RA, studied their isotypes and modulation during interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R) inhibition by tocilizumab (TCZ). Methods DN B cells were phenotypically analyzed from 40 RA patients during TCZ at baseline week 12, week 24 and 1 year. A single B cell polymerase chain reaction (PCR) approach was used to study Ig receptors, VH gene rearrangements and specific isotypes. Results Phenotypic analysis showed a significantly expanded population of DN B cells in RA which contain a heterogeneous mixture of IgG-, IgA- and IgM-expressing cells with a clear dominance of IgG+ cells. DN B cells carry rearranged heavy chain gene sequences with a diversified mutational pattern consistent with memory B cells. In contrast to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) inhibition, a significant reduction in mutational frequency of BCR gene rearrangements at week 12, 24 and 1 year (P <0.0001) was observed by in vivo IL-6R inhibition. These changes were observed for all BCR isotypes IgG, IgA and IgM at week 12, 24 and 1 year (P <0.0001). IgA-RF, IgA serum level and IgA+ DN B cells decreased significantly (P <0.05) at week 12 and week 24 during TCZ. Patients with a good European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response to TCZ had less DN B cells at baseline as compared to moderate responders (P = 0.006). Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the frequency of DN B cells at baseline is inversely correlated to a subsequent good EULAR response (P = 0.024) with an odds ratio of 1.48 (95\% confidence interval as 1.05 to 2.06). Conclusions In RA, the heterogeneous DN B cell compartment is expanded and dominated by IgG isotype. TCZ can modulate the mutational status of DN Ig isotype receptors over 1 year. Interestingly, the frequency of DN B cells in RA may serve as a baseline predictor of subsequent EULAR response to TCZ.}, language = {en} } @article{WendlerBurmesterSoerensenetal.2014, author = {Wendler, J{\"o}rg and Burmester, Gerd R. and S{\"o}rensen, Helmut and Krause, Andreas and Richter, Constanze and Tony, Hans-Peter and Rubbert-Roth, Andrea and Bartz-Bazzanella, Peter and Wassenberg, Siegfried and Haug-Rost, Iris and D{\"o}rner, Thomas}, title = {Rituximab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in routine practice (GERINIS): six-year results from a prospective, multicentre, non-interventional study in 2,484 patients}, series = {Arthritis Research \& Therapy}, volume = {16}, journal = {Arthritis Research \& Therapy}, number = {2}, doi = {10.1186/ar4521}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-121184}, pages = {R80}, year = {2014}, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of rituximab (RTX) in a large cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis in routine care, and to monitor changes in daily practice since the introduction of RTX therapy. METHODS: This was a multicentre, prospective, non-interventional study conducted under routine practice conditions in Germany. Efficacy was evaluated using Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28) and Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI). Safety was assessed by recording adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Physician and patient global efficacy and tolerability assessments were also evaluated. RESULTS: Overall, 2,484 patients (76.7\% female, mean age 56.4 years, mean disease duration 11.7 years) received RTX treatment (22.7\% monotherapy). The total observation period was approximately six-years (median follow-up 14.7 months). RTX treatment led to improvements in DAS28 and HAQ-DI that were sustained over multiple courses. DAS28 improvements positively correlated with higher rheumatoid factor levels up to 50 IU/ml. Response and tolerability were rated good/very good by the majority of physicians and patients. Mean treatment intervals were 10.5 and 6.8 months for the first and last 400 enrolled patients, respectively. Infections were the most frequently reported ADRs (9.1\%; 11.39/100 patient-years); approximately 1\% of patients per course discontinued therapy due to ADRs. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged RTX treatment in routine care is associated with good efficacy and tolerability, as measured by conventional parameters and by physicians' and patients' global assessments. Rheumatoid factor status served as a distinct and quantitative biomarker of RTX responsiveness. With growing experience, physicians repeated treatments earlier in patients with less severe disease activity.}, language = {en} } @article{SchleicherArbetEngelsBaacketal.2019, author = {Schleicher, Bernd and Arbet-Engels, Axel and Baack, Dominik and Balbo, Matteo and Biland, Adrian and Blank, Michael and Bretz, Thomas and Bruegge, Kai and Bulinski, Michael and Buss, Jens and Doerr, Manuel and Dorner, Daniela and Elsaesser, Dominik and Grischagin, Sergej and Hildebrand, Dorothee and Linhoff, Lena and Mannheim, Karl and Mueller, Sebastian Achim and Neise, Dominik and Neronov, Andrii and Noethe, Maximilian and Paravac, Aleksander and Rhode, Wolfgang and Schulz, Florian and Sedlaczek, Kevin and Shukla, Amit and Sliusar, Vitalii and Willert, Elan and Walter, Roland}, title = {Fractional Variability—A Tool to Study Blazar Variability}, series = {Galaxies}, volume = {7}, journal = {Galaxies}, number = {2}, issn = {2075-4434}, doi = {10.3390/galaxies7020062}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-197348}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Active Galactic Nuclei emit radiation over the whole electromagnetic spectrum up to TeV energies. Blazars are one subtype with their jets pointing towards the observer. One of their typical features is extreme variability on timescales, from minutes to years. The fractional variability is an often used parameter for investigating the degree of variability of a light curve. Different detection methods and sensitivities of the instruments result in differently binned data and light curves with gaps. As they can influence the physics interpretation of the broadband variability, the effects of these differences on the fractional variability need to be studied. In this paper, we study the systematic effects of completeness in time coverage and the sampling rate. Using public data from instruments monitoring blazars in various energy ranges, we study the variability of the bright TeV blazars Mrk 421 and Mrk 501 over the electromagnetic spectrum, taking into account the systematic effects, and compare our findings with previous results. Especially in the TeV range, the fractional variability is higher than in previous studies, which can be explained by the much longer (seven years compared to few weeks) and more complete data sample.}, language = {en} } @article{TemmeAdamAhnenetal.2017, author = {Temme, Fabian and Adam, Jan and Ahnen, Max L. and Baack, Dominik and Balbo, Matteo and Bergmann, Matthias and Biland, Adrian and Blank, Michael and Bretz, Thomas and Br{\"u}gge, Kai A. and Buss, Jens and Dmytriiev, Anton and Dorner, Daniela and Einecke, Sabrina and Hempfling, Christina and Hildebrand, Dorothee and Hughes, Gareth and Linhoff, Lena and Mannheim, Karl and M{\"u}ller, Sebastian and Neise, Dominik and Neronov, Andrii and N{\"o}the, Max and Paravac, Aleksander and Pauss, Felicitas and Rhode, Wolfgang and Shukla, Amit and Thaele, Julia and Walter, Roland}, title = {Long-Term monitoring of bright blazars in the multi-GeV to TeV range with FACT}, series = {Galaxies}, volume = {5}, journal = {Galaxies}, number = {1}, publisher = {MDPI}, issn = {2075-4434}, doi = {10.3390/galaxies5010018}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-198088}, pages = {18}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Blazars like Markarian 421 or Markarian 501 are active galactic nuclei (AGN), with their jets orientated towards the observer. They are among the brightest objects in the very high energy (VHE) gamma ray regime (>100 GeV). Their emitted gamma-ray fluxes are extremely variable, with changing activity levels on timescales between minutes, months, and even years. Several questions are part of the current research, such as the question of the emission regions or the engine of the AGN and the particle acceleration. A dedicated longterm monitoring program is necessary to investigate the properties of blazars in detail. A densely sampled and unbiased light curve allows for observation of both high and low states of the sources, and the combination with multi-wavelength observation could contribute to the answer of several questions mentioned above. FACT (First G-APD Cherenkov Telescope) is the first operational telescope using silicon photomultiplier (SiPM, also known as Geigermode—Avalanche Photo Diode, G-APD) as photon detectors. SiPM have a very homogenous and stable longterm performance, and allow operation even during full moon without any filter, leading to a maximal duty cycle for an Imaging Air Cherenkov Telescope (IACT). Hence, FACT is an ideal device for such a longterm monitoring of bright blazars. A small set of sources (e.g., Markarian 421, Markarian 501, 1ES 1959+650, and 1ES 2344+51.4) is currently being monitored. In this contribution, the FACT telescope and the concept of longterm monitoring of bright blazars will be introduced. The results of the monitoring program will be shown, and the advantages of densely sampled and unbiased light curves will be discussed.}, language = {en} } @article{GonzalezDornerBretzetal.2019, author = {Gonz{\´a}lez, Mar{\´i}a Magdalena and Dorner, Daniela and Bretz, Thomas and Garc{\´i}a-Gonz{\´a}lez, Jos{\´e} Andr{\´e}s}, title = {Unbiased long-term monitoring at TeV energies}, series = {Galaxies}, volume = {7}, journal = {Galaxies}, number = {2}, issn = {2075-4434}, doi = {10.3390/galaxies7020051}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-197389}, year = {2019}, abstract = {For the understanding of the variable, transient and non-thermal universe, unbiased long-term monitoring is crucial. To constrain the emission mechanisms at the highest energies, it is important to characterize the very high energy emission and its correlation with observations at other wavelengths. At very high energies, only a limited number of instruments is available. This article reviews the current status of monitoring of the extra-galactic sky at TeV energies.}, language = {en} } @article{MahmoodSchmalzingDoerneretal.2020, author = {Mahmood, Zafar and Schmalzing, Marc and D{\"o}rner, Thomas and Tony, Hans-Peter and Muhammad, Khalid}, title = {Therapeutic Cytokine Inhibition Modulates Activation and Homing Receptors of Peripheral Memory B Cell Subsets in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients}, series = {Frontiers in Immunology}, volume = {11}, journal = {Frontiers in Immunology}, issn = {1664-3224}, doi = {10.3389/fimmu.2020.572475}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-212380}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Memory B cells have known to play an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). With the emergence of B cell-targeted therapies, the modulation of memory B cells appears to be a key therapeutic target. Human peripheral memory B cells can be distinguished based on the phenotypic expression of CD27 and IgD, characterizing the three major B cell subpopulations: CD27+IgD+ pre-switch, CD27+IgD- post-switch, and CD27-IgD- double-negative memory B cells. We evaluated different memory cell populations for activation markers (CD95 and Ki-67) and chemokine receptors (CXCR3 and 4) expressing B cells in active RA, as well as under IL6-R blockade by tocilizumab (TCZ) and TNF-α blockade by adalimumab (ADA). Memory B cells were phenotypically analyzed from RA patients at baseline, week 12, and week 24 under TCZ or ADA treatment, respectively. Using flow cytometry, surface expression of CD95, intracellular Ki-67, and surface expressions of CXCR3 and CXCR4 were determined. Compared with healthy donors (n = 40), the phenotypic analysis of RA patients (n = 80) demonstrated that all three types of memory B cells were activated in RA patients. Surface and intracellular staining of B cells showed a significantly higher percentage of CD95+ (p < 0.0001) and Ki-67+ (p < 0.0001) cells, with numerically altered CXCR3+ and CXCR4+ cells in RA. CD95 and Ki-67 expressions were highest in post-switch memory B cells, whereas CD19+CXCR3+ and CD19+CXCR4+ expressing cells were substantially higher in the pre-switch compartment. In all subsets of the memory B cells, in vivo IL-6R, and TNF-α blockade significantly reduced the enhanced expressions of CD95 and Ki-67. Based on our findings, we conclude that the three major peripheral memory B cell populations, pre-, post-switch, and double-negative B cells, are activated in RA, demonstrating enhanced CD95 and Ki-67 expressions, and varied expression of CXCR3 and CXCR4 chemokine receptors when compared with healthy individuals. This activation can be efficaciously modulated under cytokine inhibition in vivo.}, language = {en} }