Tocilizumab in severe and refractory non-infectious uveitis

Objective. To report the safety and efficacy of tocilizumab in patients with severe and refractory non-infectious uveitis. Methods. Eight consecutive unselected patients with severe and refractory noninfectious uveitis [Birdshot chorioretinopathy (n=1), Behcet disease (n=1) and idiopathic bilateral panuveitis (n=6)] treated with tocilizumab (8mg/kg every 4 weeks intravenously) were included. The primary outcome was the response to treatment, defined by decrease of inflammatory ocular signs. Results. Four (50%) patients were of female gender and the median (IQR) age was 41 (31-47) years. The median number of previous immunosupressants was of 5.5 (4-6.7). Seven patients had been previously treated with anti-TNF-alpha [infliximab (n=5) and adalimumab (n=2)]. The immunosupressive drugs used in association with tocilizumab were azathioprine (n=2), mycophenolate mofetil (n=2) and methotrexate (n=2). After a median follow-up of 8 months (6-25), 6/8 (75%) improved under tocilizumab and 2 (25%) were non-responders. The visual acuity improved in five patients. The median dose of prednisolone decreased from 16mg/day (10.6-20.5) to 10 mg/day (10-13.7), at baseline and at the end of follow-up, respectively. Tolerance of tocilizumab was satisfactory and side effects included bronchitis (n=1) and grade 1 leukopenia (n=1) and thrombocytopenia (n=1). Conclusion. Tocilizumab seems to be a safe and promising therapy in severe and refractory non-infectious uveitis.