JUN 02, 2010
Cornea/External Disease
Researchers reviewed the medical records of 10 patients with scleritis refractory to standard therapy treated with 5 mg/kg of infliximab at four- to eight-week intervals.
A favorable clinical response was seen in all patients, with six of them achieving remission and cessation of concomitant immunosuppression. Clinical response to therapy occurred within 13.24 weeks, on average. Eight patients required continued monthly infusions to maintain remission. Only one patient developed an adverse event requiring discontinuation of therapy. The patient developed a lupus-like reaction that resolved after therapy stopped.
The authors conclude that infliximab therapy may be considered for noninfectious scleritis refractory to other treatment. The therapy is highly-targeted and fast-acting, avoiding many of the adverse effects associated with other immunosuppressive agents, they said. Disadvantages include its short duration of effect and high cost.
Appropriate treatment length for these scleritis patients remains unclear and may be indefinite, the authors said. Biological therapies such as infliximab are generally not thought to be curative, although it is possible that some patients may not need ongoing treatment.