Aim: To describe the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous tocilizumab (SC-TCZ) in a cohort of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients with refractory uveitis.
Methods: Retrospective observational monocentric study including patients with JIA-associated uveitis treated with SC-TCZ.
Results: Thirteen patients were enrolled. The rate of uveitis flare/year per each patient was 1.6 ± 2.0 on the last bDMARDs before SC-TCZ, while it decreased to 0.4 ± 0.7 on SC-TCZ. Nine out of thirteen patients (69%) required the introduction of SC-TCZ only for active uveitis at baseline. Among these patients, five (56%) achieved complete treatment response. No uveitis relapses were observed in patients (4/13, 31%) requiring the introduction of SC-TCZ for active arthritis during follow-up (30.48 ± 21.6 months). Overall, SC-TCZ was safe, and no side effects were observed during the treatment.
Conclusion: SC-TCZ can be effective and safe in patients with JIA and uveitis recalcitrant to several bDMARDs.
Keywords: Arthritis; bDMARDs; pediatric uveitis; tocilizumab; uveitis.