Efficacy and Safety of Tocilizumab in the Management of Non-Infectious Uveitis Failed with Conventional Immunomodulatory and Anti-TNFα Therapies

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose To determine the outcomes of intravenous (IV) tocilizumab (TCZ) in patients with non-infectious uveitis who failed with conventional immunomodulatory and anti-TNFα therapies. Methods Records of seven patients with non-infectious uveitis treated with monthly IV TCZ (4–10 mg/kg) or biweekly IV TCZ (8 mg/kg) were reviewed. Outcome measures were changes in visual acuity, anterior chamber cell and flare grade, vitreous haze, central subfield thickness (CST), and fluorescein angiography (FA) score. Results Ten eyes of seven patients received TCZ therapy. Median age of patients was 14 (range, 7–24) years. Median duration of TCZ therapy was 15 (range, 5–32) months. Mean CST reduced from 373 ± 101.0 μm to 298.2 ± 40.3 μm. Mean FA score reduced from 12.5 ± 4.3 to 3.6 ± 2.6. One patient developed elevated liver transaminases. Conclusion IV TCZ is a potentially effective and safe therapeutic option for the management of refractory non-infectious uveitis.