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Published on: December 17, 2021
Use of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors in uveitis
1Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA. rabin001@mc.duke.edu
Insights
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) blockers are increasingly used for chronic pediatric uveitis. Evidence suggests TNF-α blockade is effective for refractory cases, though more research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Chronic pediatric uveitis often presents as idiopathic or associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, leading to significant visual impairment.
- Standardization of disease and outcome measures has been a challenge in uveitis research.
- Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) blocking agents represent a developing therapeutic option.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the rationale and recent studies on using TNF-α blocking agents for chronic pediatric uveitis.
- To highlight the efficacy and limitations of current therapeutic approaches.
Main Methods:
- Review of retrospective case series and existing literature on TNF-α blockade in pediatric uveitis.
- Consideration of consensus measures for uveitis assessment.
Main Results:
- Data suggest TNF-α blockade is efficacious in treating refractory pediatric uveitis.
- Agents directly binding TNF-α membrane receptors may offer superior efficacy.
- Retrospective study designs limit definitive conclusions.
Conclusions:
- TNF-α blocking agents are crucial in managing chronic pediatric uveitis.
- Further prospective, comparative studies are essential to optimize treatment regimens and assess long-term outcomes.
Purpose Of Review:
Use of tumor necrosis factor-alpha blocking agents to treat chronic pediatric uveitis is becoming recognized as an important therapeutic modality. This review summarizes the rationale for this use, highlighting new studies of these agents in pediatric uveitis.
Recent Findings:
The majority of patients with pediatric uveitis either have idiopathic uveitis or uveitis associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Ophthalmologic morbidity among these children is common. Most studies evaluating tumor necrosis factor-alpha blockade in pediatric uveitis are retrospective case series, with attendant limitations that are inherent to any retrospective study. Study of uveitis has been hampered by lack of standardization of disease and outcome measures, which has been addressed by uveitis experts with publication of consensus measures. Data to date suggest that tumor necrosis factor-alpha blockade is efficacious in refractory uveitis. Agents with direct tumor necrosis factor-alpha membrane receptor binding activity may be the most efficacious. There remain many unanswered questions in the treatment of pediatric uveitis, including optimal dosing regimen and long-term efficacy.
Summary:
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha blocking agents play an important role in the treatment of chronic pediatric uveitis. Prospective comparative studies are needed so that we may better understand this role.
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