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Experimental Autoimmune Uveitis: An Intraocular Inflammatory Mouse Model
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Sarcoid-related uveitis occurring during adalimumab therapy
Ocular Immunology and Inflammation
|October 25, 2011
Summary
A patient on adalimumab developed sarcoid-like uveitis. Discontinuation of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonist and prednisone treatment led to clinical improvement, highlighting a potential side effect of biologic therapy.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Adalimumab, a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonist, is widely used for autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.
- Uveitis and sarcoidosis are inflammatory conditions that can affect the eyes.
Observation:
- A 61-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis on adalimumab for four years developed bilateral panuveitis with venous vasculitis and multifocal choroiditis.
- A forehead lesion biopsy revealed noncaseating granulomas, indicative of sarcoidosis, with no evidence of systemic involvement.
Findings:
- The patient experienced ophthalmological and clinical improvement after adalimumab withdrawal and a course of prednisone.
- This case suggests a potential link between TNF antagonist therapy and the development of sarcoid-like granulomatosis.
Implications:
- Ophthalmologists and rheumatologists should be aware of the possibility of sarcoid-like granulomatosis developing during TNFα blockade therapy.
- Careful monitoring for ocular and systemic inflammatory conditions is crucial in patients receiving adalimumab and other TNF antagonists.
