Long term efficacy of infliximab in refractory uveoretinitis associated with Behçet's disease
Purpose
To evaluate the long term efficacy of infliximab (IFX) in patients with refractory uveoretinitis associated with Behçet’s disease (BD).
Methods
Clinical records of 16 patients treated with IFX for at least 5 years (1 woman, 15 men) were retrospectively reviewed. The main outcomes analyzed were frequency of ocular inflammatory attacks, the Behcet’s disease ocular attack score 24 (BOS24), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and adverse effects.
Results
The median follow-up on IFX was 125 months (range 71-140 months), 16 patients were followed for > 5 years and 10 patients for > 10 years. Mean frequency of attacks and BOS24 decreased significantly over 10 years compared to the baseline 1-year period prior to IFX use. Percentage of eyes with a BCVA ≥ 1.0 was 47% at baseline, 59% at 5 years and 70% at 10 years, whereas percentage of eyes with a BCVA ≤ 0.1 was 19% at baseline, 19% at 5 years and 10% at 10 years. IFX therapy was stopped in one patient due to colon cancer at 10 years after initiation of IFX. IFX therapy was discontinued in 4 patients showing complete remission of uveoretinitis over the IFX treatment period, with no recurrent inflammation observed over a median follow-up of 49 months.
Conclusion
IFX reduced the mean frequency of ocular attacks and the BOS24 score in a sustained manner over 10 years of treatment in BD patients. IFX appeared to be effective in maintaining good visual acuity in BD patients over the long term.
Conflict of interest
Yes
Details of conflicting interests
Hiroshi Keino: lecture fees from Santen Pharma Corporation, Alcon Pharma Japan, Nikon Healthcare Japan, Senju Pharmaceutical Corporation; grant and lecture fees from Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma.
Annabelle A. Okada: consultant to AbbVie Japan, Astellas Pharma Japan, Bayer AG, Daiichi Sankyo; lecture fees from Alcon Pharm Japan, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, Novartis Pharma Japan, Santen Pharmaceutical Corporation, Senju Pharmaceutical Corporation; grant support from Alcon Pharma Japan, Bayer Yakuhin, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma.
Author 1
Last name
KEINO
Initials of first name(s)
H
City
Tokyo
Country
Japan
Author 2
Last name
Nakayama
Initials of first name(s)
M
City
Tokyo
Country
Japan
Author 3
Last name
Watanabe
Initials of first name(s)
T
City
Tokyo
Country
Japan
Author 4
Last name
Ando
Initials of first name(s)
Y
City
Tokyo
Country
Japan
Author 5
Last name
Abe
Initials of first name(s)
S
City
Tokyo
Country
Japan
Author 6
Last name
Hayashi
Initials of first name(s)
I
City
Tokyo
Country
Japan
Author 7
Last name
Fukuoka
Initials of first name(s)
K
City
Tokyo
Country
Japan
Author 8
Last name
Komagata
Initials of first name(s)
Y
City
Tokyo
Country
Japan
Author 9
Last name
Okada
Initials of first name(s)
A
City
Tokyo
Country
Japan
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