[Current and upcoming treatments for Behçet disease]

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Immunology
• Ophthalmology

Background:

• Behçet disease is a multisystem inflammatory disorder with unclear etiology.
• Vasculitis is the primary histopathological feature, leading to significant morbidity like blindness.
• Treatment is challenging due to limited randomized trials and lack of standardized outcome measures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current understanding and treatment of Behçet disease.
• To highlight challenges in managing its diverse manifestations.
• To introduce emerging therapeutic strategies targeting pathogenic mechanisms.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of Behçet disease pathogenesis and treatment.
• Analysis of current therapeutic modalities including corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and cytotoxic agents.
• Exploration of novel treatment approaches based on molecular understanding.

Main Results:

• Current treatments aim to relieve symptoms, control inflammation, and prevent damage, often requiring combination therapy.
• Refractory cases necessitate aggressive treatment with potential for serious side effects like infections and malignancy.
• Newer treatments offer improved side-effect profiles and targeted immune modulation.

Conclusions:

• Despite improved prognosis, refractory Behçet disease requires intensive management.
• Emerging therapies hold promise for more specific and effective treatment.
• Further randomized controlled studies are essential to validate the efficacy of new treatments.