Daclizumab can help reduce inflammation in active JIA-associated anterior uveitis

This prospective, nonrandomized study included six patients with noninfectious juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) - associated anterior uveitis who received daclizumab therapy at doses of 8 mg/kg at baseline, 4 mg/kg at week two, and 2 mg/kg every four weeks thereafter, for a total of 52 weeks.

Four of the participants achieved a two-step reduction in anterior chamber cells 12 weeks into the study and met the primary efficacy endpoint. Of the two patients that required re-induction at 12 weeks, one responded and one failed and was considered an ocular treatment failure. Two other participants were terminated before 52 weeks: one because of a rash possibly induced by daclizumab and another because of uncontrolled systemic manifestations of JIA. Of the patients who completed the study, visual acuity improved from a mean of 68 letters in the worse eye to a mean of 79.6 letters (2 Snellen lines).

The authors concluded that while high-dose intravenous daclizumab may be helpful in reducing inflammation in active JIA-associated anterior uveitis, patients should be monitored for potential side effects, and the results of this trial should be interpreted cautiously because of the small number of patients, the heterogeneity of the patient population (such as one participant with systemic JIA, which is very rarely associated with uveitis), and the nonrandomized and unmasked nature of the trial.