PURPOSE: Assess the efficacy of monoclonal antibody (daclizumab) therapy in the treatment of patients with non-infectious uveitis who do not respond to other immunosuppressive agents. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Ten patients with non-infectious intermediate and posterior uveitis were treated with intravenous daclizumab (humanized anti-IL-2 receptor monoclonal antibody) monthly for two years. RESULTS: 70% of the patients have had some improvement in their inflammatory activity being maintained without recurrence. 10% of the patients improved their visual acuity in two lines and the macular edema decreased. 20% of the patients continued to have recurrences, but not worse than the year before. 40% of the patients gave up having the treatment with corticosteroids and 30% with minimum dose (5 mg). No secondary effects were noted during the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Daclizumab is effective and safe for long-term use in the treatment of uveitis which cannot be kept under control by other treatments. In time, it allows the dose of corticosteroids to be decreased or even discontinued.
PURPOSE: Assess the efficacy of monoclonal antibody (daclizumab) therapy in the treatment of patients with non-infectious uveitis who do not respond to other immunosuppressive agents. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Ten patients with non-infectious intermediate and posterior uveitis were treated with intravenous daclizumab (humanized anti-IL-2 receptor monoclonal antibody) monthly for two years. RESULTS: 70% of the patients have had some improvement in their inflammatory activity being maintained without recurrence. 10% of the patients improved their visual acuity in two lines and the macular edema decreased. 20% of the patients continued to have recurrences, but not worse than the year before. 40% of the patients gave up having the treatment with corticosteroids and 30% with minimum dose (5 mg). No secondary effects were noted during the treatment. CONCLUSIONS:Daclizumab is effective and safe for long-term use in the treatment of uveitis which cannot be kept under control by other treatments. In time, it allows the dose of corticosteroids to be decreased or even discontinued.