[Inhibitors of tumour necrosis factor-alpha for the treatment of arthritis and uveitis in childhood].
BACKGROUND
Chronic uveitis in childhood is a common complication of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) that frequently leads to loss of vision. Besides from corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs, Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) inhibitors are used frequently.


METHODS
The literature published before September 2006 was evaluated for the usefulness of TNF-alpha inhibitors (etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab) for the treatment of JIA-associated uveitis.


RESULTS
TNF-alpha inhibitors are effective drugs for the treatment of chronic uveitis in childhood. The response rate of uveitis in childhood to etanercept was approximately 50%. However, disease recurrence, first manifestations of uveitis and new complications occurred during the treatment. Infliximab and adalimumab appear to be more effective for the treatment of uveitis in childhood than etanercept.


CONCLUSIONS
The therapy with TNF-alpha inhibitors is expensive and increases the long-term risk for secondary diseases, such as tuberculosis and probably malignant lymphoma. Their use should be restricted to uveitis patients not responding to corticosteroids and at least one of established immunosuppressive drugs.
Heiligenhaus
A
A
Uveitis Zentrum, Augenabteilung am St. Franziskus Hospital, Münster. arnd.heiligenhaus@uveitis-zentrum.de.
Horneff
G
G
Greiner
K
K
Mackensen
F
F
Zierhut
M
M
Foeldvari
I
I
Michels
H
H
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D015897:Comorbidity; D006801:Humans; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D014605:Uveitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha