Infliximab for parenchymal neuro-Behçet's syndrome: case series and meta-analysis.

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of infliximab (IFX) in patients with parenchymal neuro-Behçet's syndrome (p-NBS). We retrospectively analysed eleven p-NBS patients treated with IFX at our institution and combined them with studies from database searches for a meta-analysis. Pooled estimates of clinical response (complete and partial remission) and MRI improvement at months 3, 6, and 12 were calculated. One patient achieved CR and the other ten patients achieved PR at our institution. 8 studies (77 patients) were included in the meta-analysis. At 3, 6, and 12 months, 97% (95%CI 61.9-100%), 89.6% (95%CI 45.9-100%), 100% (95%CI 96.0-100%) of patients showed clinical response and 100% (95%CI 89.7-100%), 89.1% (95% CI 26.3-100%), 99.5% (95% CI 96.0-100%) of patients showed radiological improvement, respectively. Severe adverse events were observed in 7 patients. IFX was effective and relatively safe for p-NBS. Patients should be re-evaluated after 3 months of IFX to determine further therapy.