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Tocilizumab for refractory uveitis associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: A report of two cases
Author(s) -
Dipasquale Valeria,
Atteritano Marco,
Fresta Jlenia,
Castagna Irene,
Conti Giovanni
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.622
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1365-2710
pISSN - 0269-4727
DOI - 10.1111/jcpt.12821
Subject(s) - tocilizumab , medicine , uveitis , methotrexate , refractory (planetary science) , arthritis , surgery , dermatology , ophthalmology , rheumatoid arthritis , physics , astrobiology
Summary What is known and the objective Low‐grade evidence supports the use of newer biologics for otherwise refractory juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)‐associated uveitis, such as tocilizumab. Case summary This report details the cases of two adolescents whose severe JIA‐associated uveitis was unresponsive to the first‐line therapeutic approach. Tocilizumab therapy led to the remission of uveitis after a mean time of 3 weeks, and methotrexate was safely discontinued 1.5 years later. What is new and conclusion To our knowledge, these are the first reports of successful methotrexate withdrawal during tocilizumab treatment of JIA‐associated uveitis. The administration of tocilizumab without methotrexate could be considered in patients with JIA‐associated uveitis unresponsive to conventional therapy.