title: Efficacy of tocilizumab in two patients with anti-TNF-alpha refractory uveitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report on two patients with refractory uveitis treated with tocilizumab; a new humanized monoclonal antibody against the interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R).
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective interventional case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Both patients received a monthly infusion of tocilizumab 8 mg/kg; associated with corticosteroids. Outcome measures were visual acuity and central retinal thickness evaluated with optical coherence tomography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An improvement in visual acuity and a decrease in macular edema were observed in these two patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tocilizumab seems to be a promising treatment in refractory uveitis. A prospective study is needed to evaluate the role of this new agent in the management of refractory uveitis.
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmology Department, University Hospital, Dijon, France.
authors.forename: Aurore
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Muselier
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bielefeld
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bidot
authors.forename: Julien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vinit
authors.forename: Jean-François
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Besancenot
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bron
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000188:drug therapy; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D012160:Retina / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014605:Uveitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C113250:interleukin-6 receptor alpha; C502936:tocilizumab