Six-month outcomes of infliximab and tocilizumab therapy in non-infectious retinal vasculitis

Eye (Lond). 2023 Aug;37(11):2197-2203. doi: 10.1038/s41433-022-02315-9. Epub 2022 Nov 28.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of infliximab (IFX, 5-10 mg/kg) (Group 1) and tocilizumab (TCZ, 4-8 mg/kg) (Group 2) infusions in non-infectious retinal vasculitis (RV) using Angiographic Scoring for the Uveitis Working Group fluorescein angiography (FA) scoring system.

Methods: Records of 14 patients (24 eyes) in Group 1 and 8 patients (11 eyes) in Group 2 were retrospectively evaluated to assess visual acuity (VA), anterior chamber cell and flare, vitreous haze, central subfield thickness (CST), and FA scoring at baseline and 6 months of follow-up. The measurements were employed to grade in each group.

Results: In Group 1 and 2, respectively, there was no underlying disease in 9 (60%) and 3 (42.9%) patients. Three (42.9%) patients in Group 2 had juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) as the most common identified cause. Mean improvement in VA (log MAR) and CST were 0.04 ± 0.14 and 40.3 ± 78.5 µm in Group 1; 0.04 ± 0.09 and 47.3 ± 82.3 µm in Group 2, respectively. Mean FA scores were significantly reduced from 12.4 ± 5.2 and 11.6 ± 4.4 at baseline to 6.4 ± 5.0 and 5.8 ± 3.9 at 6-month in Group 1 and 2, respectively. In Group 2, 9 eyes of 6 patients (75%) had the history of IFX use prior to TCZ initiation. There was no significant safety concern requiring treatment discontinuation during the follow-up in either group.

Conclusion: IFX and TCZ infusions showed statistically significant improvement of non-infectious RV as shown by ASUWOG FA Scoring System. TCZ, as well as IFX, appeared to be effective treatment options for non-infectious RV.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Fluorescein Angiography
  • Humans
  • Infliximab / therapeutic use
  • Retinal Vasculitis* / diagnosis
  • Retinal Vasculitis* / drug therapy
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Uveitis* / drug therapy
  • Uveitis* / etiology

Substances

  • Infliximab
  • tocilizumab