Golimumab as Rescue Therapy for Refractory Immune-Mediated Uveitis: A Three-Center Experience

Abstract EN

Objective.

To evaluate, in three Spanish tertiary referral centres, the short-term safety and efficacy of golimumab (GLM) for treatment of immune-mediated uveitis resistant to previous immunosuppressive therapy.

Methods.

Nonrandomized retrospective interventional case series.

Thirteen patients with different types of uveitis that were resistant to treatment with at least 2 previous immunosuppressors were included in this study.

All included patients were treated with GLM (50 mg every four weeks) during at least 6 months.

Clinical evaluation and treatment-related side effects were assessed at least four times in all included patients.

Results.

Eight men and 5 women (22 affected eyes) with a median age of 30 years (range 20–38) and active immune-mediated uveitides were studied.

GLM was used in combination with conventional immunosuppressors in 7 patients (53.8%).

GLM therapy achieved complete control of inflammation in 12/13 patients (92.3%) after six months of treatment.

There was a statistically significant improvement in mean BCVA (0.60 versus 0.68, P = 0.009 ) and mean 1 mm central retinal thickness (317 versus 261.2 μ, P = 0.05 ) at the six-month endpoint when compared to basal values.

No major systemic adverse effects associated with GLM therapy were observed.

Conclusions.

GLM is a new and promising therapeutic option for patients with severe and refractory uveitis.