Infliximab helped manage immune-associated uveitis in small series

A drug commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis may be a useful adjunct in managing refractory uveitis associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, a small case series suggests.

Josephine C. Richards, FRANZCO, and colleagues in Australia reported their results in six children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis who were treated with infliximab between September 2002 and November 2004. All patients were required to remain on low-dose immunomodulatory treatment in conjunction with the drug. Infliximab is a murine-human recombinant anti-tumor-necrosis-factor monoclonal antibody used in treatment of autoimmune diseases in which tumor necrosis factor is thought to be a key mediator.

In all six patients, infliximab use resulted in increased ease of disease management. Ocular inflammation and IOP control improved in all patients. Physicians were also able to reduce the dose or withdraw some glaucoma medications or steroid or other immunomodulatory drugs. Two children underwent intraocular surgery without noticeable flare-up of intraocular inflammation. No serious systemic complications were noted.

The study is published in the October issue of Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology.