Tocilizumab as an Effective Treatment Option in Children with Refractory Intermediate and Panuveitis
Roos A.W. Wennink, Viera Kalinina Ayuso, Lieuwe A. de Vries, Sebastiaan J. Vastert, Joke H. de Boer
Abstract
Purpose: To describe the results of tocilizumab treatment in children with refractory non-anterior uveitis.Methods: A case series of seven children with refractory non-anterior uveitis (onset ≤16 years) with leakage on fluorescein angiogram (FA) were treated with tocilizumab intravenously every 4 weeks (eight mg/kg). Minimum follow-up was 6 months. Reported outcomes are changes in BCVA, central macular thickness (CMT) on OCT image, FA scores, dose of systemic steroids, complications and side effects.Results: In all patients, there was an improvement of macular edema and capillary leakage on FA. The median FA score decreased from 14 (10–18) at baseline to 8 (2–9) after 6 months of treatment (p = .018). The CMT decreased from 321 (314–384) to 295 (255–312) (p = .043). BCVA improved in five eyes and worsened in one eye due to cataract. No systemic or ocular complications were reported.Conclusion: Tocilizumab is an effective therapeutic option for reducing disease activity in children with refractory non-anterior uveitis.