Ahmed M Abu El-Asrar1,2, Abdulsalam Dheyab1, Dina Khatib1, Sofie Struyf3, Jo Van Damme3, Ghislain Opdenakker3. 1. Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 2. Dr. Nasser Al-Rashid Research Chair in Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 3. Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of B cell depletion therapy with the chimeric mouse/human anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab for refractory chronic recurrent granulomatous uveitis associated with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease. METHODS: Retrospective study of 9 patients (18 eyes) who failed to respond to conventional combination immunosuppressive therapy. RESULTS: All the patients received 3 rituximab infusions. The follow-up period after initiation of rituximab therapy ranged from 9 to 36 months (mean ±SD, 19.2 ± 10.1). All patients achieved remission and visual acuity significantly improved (p < .001). Rituximab provided corticosteroid-sparing effect along with control of inflammation. No rituximab-related complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Rituximab is effective for the treatment of refractory chronic recurrent granulomatous uveitis associated with VKH disease.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of B cell depletion therapy with the chimeric mouse/human anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab for refractory chronic recurrent granulomatous uveitis associated with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease. METHODS: Retrospective study of 9 patients (18 eyes) who failed to respond to conventional combination immunosuppressive therapy. RESULTS: All the patients received 3 rituximab infusions. The follow-up period after initiation of rituximab therapy ranged from 9 to 36 months (mean ±SD, 19.2 ± 10.1). All patients achieved remission and visual acuity significantly improved (p < .001). Rituximab provided corticosteroid-sparing effect along with control of inflammation. No rituximab-related complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Rituximab is effective for the treatment of refractory chronic recurrent granulomatous uveitis associated with VKH disease.
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Keywords:
B cells; Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease; biologics; rituximab; uveitis