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Abatacept seen as effective first-line, second-line treatment for patients with JIA-related uveitis
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Recently published results showed comparable improvements in patients with severe refractory juvenile idiopathic arthritis-related uveitis when treated with abatacept as either a first-line biological treatment or after one or more anti-tumor necrosis factor agents.
Researchers, including Francesco Zulian, MD, director of the Pediatric Rheumatology Unit at the University of Padua, collected data on 35 patients with severe juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)-related uveitis treated with abatacept as either a first-line or second-line biological agent. The investigators recorded changes in frequency of uveitis flares per year and ocular complications before and after abatacept treatment, clinical remission and side effects.
Overall, researchers found 31 patients had at least 12-month follow-up. Of these patients, 14 received abatacept as a first-line agent (ABA-1) and 17 received abatacept as a second-line agent (ABA-2).
Results showed 54.8% of patients achieved clinical remission. During the 12-month follow-up period, patients in the ABA-1 group had a decrease in the mean frequency of uveitis flares from 4.1 to 1.2 and patients in the ABA-2 group had a decrease of 3.7 to 1.2, according to results. Researchers noted improved or stable pre-existing ocular complications in all patients except five patients in the ABA-2 group. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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