Infliximab in refractory uveitis due to Behçet's disease

Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2004 Jul-Aug;22(4 Suppl 34):S14-6.

Abstract

Objective: To report 4 cases of refractory panuveitis due to Behçet's disease treated with a novel therapy: infliximab.

Methods: Retrospective study of 3 women and 1 man of Causasian origin with Behçet's disease complicated with panuveitis. Their uveitis was relapsing from 48 to 96 months and was resistant to the combination of colchicine (n = 4), high-dose prednisone (n = 4), pentoxyphilline (n = 2) and various immunossuppressors and/or immunomodulators given successively: intravenous cyclophosphamide (n = 4), azathioprine (n = 3), interferon alpha (n = 3), cyclosporine A (n = 2), oral cyclophosphamide (n = 1), mycophenolate mofetil (n = 1), methotrexate (n = 1), high-dose immunoglobulin (n = 1). Combination with respectively 1, 3, 4 and 5 immunossuppressors and/or immunomodulators failed before institution of infliximab. After informed consent was obtained, infliximab was administered as a single infusion of 5 mg/kg (maximum dose: 400 mg) at day 1, at week 2, 6 and then every 8 weeks.

Results: With a follow-up ranging from 7 to 22 months, infliximab was efficient in all cases. The mean prednisone dose decreased from 45 mg to 13 mg daily. Total recovery of visual acuity was observed in half of the cases. Infliximab was well tolerated without fever, severe sepsis or autoimmune manifestation.

Conclusion: Infliximab may be efficient in refractory uveitis due to Behçet's disease. The optimal dose, rhythm and duration of infliximab infusions need to be standardized.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antirheumatic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Behcet Syndrome / complications
  • Behcet Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Child
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / pharmacology
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacology
  • Infliximab
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Male
  • Panuveitis / drug therapy*
  • Panuveitis / etiology
  • Recurrence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Infliximab