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Tocilizumab in uveitis refractory to other biologic drugs: a study of 3 cases and a literature review
V. Calvo-Río, D. De La Hera, E. Beltrán-Catalán, R. Blanco, M. Hernandez, L. Martínez-Costa, J. Loricera, J. Cañal, J. Ventosa, F. Ortiz-Sanjuán, T. Pina, M.C. González-Vela, P. Rodríguez-Cundín, M.A. González-Gay
CER7232
2014 Vol.32, N°4 ,Suppl.84
PI 0054, PF 0057
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PMID: 25005576 [PubMed]
Received: 04/01/2014
Accepted : 18/02/2014
In Press: 08/07/2014
Published: 30/09/2014
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
To evaluate the clinical response to Tocilizumab (TCZ) in three patients with non-infectious uveitis refractory to anti-TNF-α drugs.
METHODS:
Assessment of TCZ-treated patients with immune-mediated uveitis from two Spanish medical referral centers. Uveitis had been refractory to previous standard synthetic immunosuppressive drugs and at least one TNF-α inhibitor. A literature review of patients with immune-mediated uveitis treated with TCZ therapy was also conducted.
RESULTS:
3 women (5 eyes) with uveitis refractory to conventional immunosuppressive therapy and at least one anti-TNF-α drug were treated with TCZ. The mean age of the patients was 48.6±16.1 (range 37-67) years. In two cases uveitis was bilateral and in the other unilateral. The underlying diseases were rheumatoid arthritis in one case and Behçet`s disease in the other two cases. After a mean follow-up of 7.3±5.7 (range 1–12) months using TCZ therapy, all patients experienced ocular improvement. Also, in 3 eyes inactive intraocular inflammation was achieved. None of the patients had side effects during the period of treatment with this drug. A literature review disclosed that our observations are in keeping with other reports that showed good response to TCZ in 11 of 12 patients with immune-mediated uveitis refractory to other biologic agents.
CONCLUSIONS:
TCZ appears to be an effective and safe therapy for the management of patients with uveitis refractory to other biologic drugs.