title: Efficacy of adalimumab in patients with Behçet's disease unsuccessfully treated with infliximab.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the clinical response after switching from infliximab to adalimumab in patients with Behçet's disease (BD).
  
  
  METHODS
  In this ongoing, prospective, longitudinal and observational study, data were collected on efficacy and safety of every patient with BD beginning anti-TNF therapy in the last 8 years. The present analysis was restricted to patients who were switched to adalimumab after failing or not tolerating infliximab.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 69 patients with BD have been treated with infliximab so far. Seventeen of these (25%) have been switched to adalimumab for lack or loss of efficacy or infusion reactions. In 10 out of these 17, the main manifestations requiring switching were the mucocutaneous lesions, in 4 retinal vasculitis and in 3 the neurological involvement. Of the 17 treated patients, 9 showed sustained remission of the disease and 3 a good response. No side effects were observed in any patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of our study suggest that patients with BD showing a scarce response or adverse events to infliximab may successfully be treated with adalimumab, regardless of the reason for switching.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Department of Lucania, San Carlo Hospital of Potenza and Madonna delle Grazie Hospital of Matera, Potenza and Matera, Italy. ignazioolivieri@tiscalinet.it
authors.forename: Ignazio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Olivieri
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Leccese
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: D'Angelo
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Padula
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nigro
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Palazzi
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Coniglio
authors.forename: Loredana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Latanza
mesh_terms: D000068879:Adalimumab; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D004351:Drug Resistance / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012074:Remission Induction; D017211:Treatment Failure; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000069285:Infliximab; D000068879:Adalimumab