Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026
Experimental Autoimmune Uveitis: An Intraocular Inflammatory Mouse Model
Published on: January 12, 2022
Biological response modifier therapy for refractory childhood uveitis
Michael Gallagher1, Karina Quinones, Rene Antonio Cervantes-Castañeda
1Massachusetts Eye Research and Surgery Institute, 5 Cambridge Center, 8th Floor, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
Insights
Biological response modifiers (BRM) show promise in treating refractory childhood uveitis. These agents appear safe and effective for improving vision and controlling inflammation in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatrics
- Immunology
Background:
- Childhood uveitis is a significant cause of pediatric vision impairment.
- Refractory cases often require advanced therapeutic strategies.
- Biological response modifiers (BRM) offer targeted immunomodulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of biological response modifiers (BRM) in treating pediatric patients with refractory uveitis.
- To assess the impact of BRM on visual acuity and ocular inflammation control.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case series of 23 pediatric patients (≤18 years) with uveitis treated with BRM.
- Patients received infliximab, adalimumab, or daclizumab for bilateral eye involvement.
- Outcomes assessed included visual changes, time to inflammation control, and adverse events.
Main Results:
- Infliximab improved visual acuity in 77% of patients and inflammation in 77% of eyes.
- Adalimumab improved visual acuity in 40% of eyes and inflammation in 50% of eyes.
- Daclizumab improved vision in 40% of eyes and inflammation in 80% of eyes.
Conclusions:
- Biological response modifiers (BRM) are a safe and useful adjunctive treatment for recalcitrant childhood uveitis.
- BRM demonstrate potential in managing complex pediatric ocular inflammatory conditions.
- Further research may elucidate optimal BRM selection and long-term outcomes.
Purpose:
To evaluate the use of biological response modifiers (BRM) in the treatment of refractory childhood uveitis.
Design:
Retrospective non-comparative case series of pediatric patients with uveitis treated with BRM.
Participants:
23 pediatric patients.
Methods:
All children (18 years or younger) who received a BRM were assessed for visual changes, time to control inflammation, and any associated adverse side effects. Thirteen patients were treated with infliximab, five with adalimumab, and five with daclizumab. All patients had bilateral eye involvement. Diagnoses of the participants included juvenile idiopathic arthritis, keratouveitis, sarcoid panuveitis, Adamantiades-Behcets disease, and idiopathic panuveitis.
Main Outcome Measures:
Inflammation and visual acuity.
Results:
In the infliximab group 16 of 26 eyes (62%), and 10 of 13 patients (77%) demonstrated an improvement in visual acuity. Twenty of 26 eyes (77%) demonstrated an improvement in the degree of inflammation. In the adalimumab group, four of 10 eyes (40%) demonstrated an improvement in visual acuity, with five of 10 eyes (50%) demonstrating an improvement in inflammation. Four of 10 eyes (40%) in the daclizumab group demonstrated an improvement in vision with eight of 10 eyes (80%) demonstrating an improvement in inflammation.
Conclusion:
BRM appear to be safe to use in children, and represent a useful therapeutic adjunctive drug group for treating recalcitrant childhood uveitis.
