| Presentation preference | Oral presentation |
| Title | Efficacy of Janus activated kinase (JAK) inhibitors in the treatment of ocular autoimmune disorders |
| Purpose | Janus activated kinases (JAKs) have emerged as a new therapeutics for autoimmune inflammatory diseases. Up to date information on their efficacy in ocular inflammation is scarce. Herein we report on 12 patients with ocular autoimmune disorders and their treatment response to JAK inhibitor therapy. |
| Methods | Retrospective cohort study on 12 patients with ocular inflammation treated with JAK inhibitors between December 2020 and March 2023 at the Department of Ophthalmology, Charité Berlin. |
| Results | Majority of patients presented with anterior uveitis (5 patients), followed by posterior uveitis (3 patients), intermediate uveitis, mucous membrane pemphigoid, anterior scleritis, Mooren’s ulcer (each 1 patient). Associated systemic autoimmune disorders were ankylosing spondylitis (4 patients), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (2 patients), rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis (each 1 patient). All patients have received multiple systemic therapies with persistent ocular and/or systemic inflammation before the switch. After a median (IQR) treatment time of 13 (4.5 – 15.5) months inflammation improved in 6 patients (3 anterior uveitis, 1 MMP, 1 scleritis, 1 Mooren’s ulcer), of which 50% presented with systemic autoimmune disorders. Inflammation was unchanged in 2 and worsened in 4 patients (3 posterior, 1 intermediate, 2 anterior uveitis) and all patients had associated systemic disease. Of note 4 of these patients developed macular edema which necessitated intravitreal steroid injections. |
| Conclusion | Our preliminary experience with JAK inhibitors suggests a favourable response of anterior segment or ocular surface disorders, while they seem to be less effective in intermediate or posterior uveitis. |
| Conflict of interest | No |
Authors 1
| Last name | RüBSAM |
| Initials of first name(s) | Anne |
| Department | Department of Ophthalmology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin |
| City | Berlin |
| Country | Germany |
Authors 2
| Last name | Pohlmann |
| Initials of first name(s) | Dominika |
| Department | Department of Ophthalmology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin |
| City | Berlin |
| Country | Germany |
Authors 3
| Last name | zur Bonsen |
| Initials of first name(s) | Lynn |
| Department | Department of Ophthalmology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin |
| City | Berlin |
| Country | Germany |
Authors 4
| Last name | Pleyer |
| Initials of first name(s) | Uwe |
| Department | Department of Ophthalmology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin |
| City | Berlin |
| Country | Germany |
