Triple-combination therapy did not improve prognosis in anti-MDA5 positive dermatomyositis: a multicentre longitudinal cohort study.

Objectives: Anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5-positive dermatomyositis (MDA5+ DM) is frequently linked with interstitial lung disease (ILD), especially the rapidly progressive ILD (RP-ILD). We conduct this research to evaluate the efficacy and safety of triple-combination (triple-combo) therapy consisting of high-dose corticosteroids, tacrolimus and intravenous cyclophosphamide in treating MDA5+ DM patients with ILD.

Methods: A multicentre longitudinal cohort study involving 115 MDA5+ DM patients from the Nanjing Medical University Myositis Associated ILD (NMMI) cohort was conducted between January 2019 and November 2022. Patients were categorised into triple-combo and non-triple therapy groups, and their outcomes were assessed.

Results: Contrary to expectations, triple-combo therapy did not improve the prognosis for MDA5+ DM patients but was linked to increased mortality rates, especially among those at high risk for RP-ILD.

Conclusions: Our study suggests that triple-combo therapy might not be effective in improving prognosis in MDA5+ DM patients. Further research is needed to establish safer and more effective treatment modalities for this patient population.