Tocilizumab in uveitis refractory to other biologic drugs: a study of 3 cases and a literature review
Calvo-Río, V.; de la Hera, D.; Beltrán-Catalán, E.; Blanco, R.; Hernandez, M.; Martínez-Costa, Lía.; Loricera, J.; Cañal, Jín.; Ventosa, J.; Ortiz-Sanjuán, F.; Pina, T.; González-Vela, M.Carmen.; Rodríguez-Cundín, P.; González-Gay, M.A.
Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 32(4 Suppl. 84): S54-S57
2014
ISSN/ISBN: 0392-856X PMID: 25005576 Document Number: 674580
To evaluate the clinical response to Tocilizumab (TCZ) in three patients with non-infectious uveitis refractory to anti-TNF-α drugs. 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. 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. TCZ appears to be an effective and safe therapy for the management of patients with uveitis refractory to other biologic drugs.