Long-term Treatment with Golimumab for Severe Uveitis

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term efficacy of golimumab in patients with severe recalcitrant uveitis who had inadequate response to previous biologics. Methods: Retrospective study (13 patients with JIA, 4 with HLA-B27-associated uveitis). Indication for treatment was active uveitis despite biologics. Golimumab dosing was 50 mg monthly/subcutaneously. Main outcome measures: uveitis activity, visual acuity improvement, reduction of systemic therapy (corticosteroids/immunosuppressants), adverse events. Results: Of 17 patients (34 affected eyes), response to golimumab was seen in 14 patients; at last visit uveitis was inactive in 12 patients. Three patients were nonresponders. Mean follow-up time on golimumab was 21.9 months. Visual acuity remained stable in 26 eyes, improved in 7, and worsened in 1. Mean systemic prednisolone dose before and after golimumab was 12.5-3.5 mg/day. One patient developed pulmonary infection. Conclusions: Golimumab may be a promising new therapeutic option for severe uveitis patients who have not responded to other biologics. OI Meroni, Pier Luigi/0000-0002-3394-1451