title: Tocilizumab in Uveitic Macular Edema Refractory to Previous Immunomodulatory Treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the efficacy of tocilizumab in uveitic macular edema (ME) resistant to various immunomodulatory drugs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients received tocilizumab every 4 weeks intravenously. Central foveal thickness (CFT) was assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five patients (8 eyes) who were ineffectively pretreated with systemic prednisolone, at least one immunosuppressive drug, and at least one biologic drug for uveitic macular edema were included in the study. At 3 months, a response of ME (≥25% reduction in CFT) was observed in 6 eyes (75.0%) of 5 patients. During follow-up, complete resolution of ME was achieved in 5 eyes (62.5%) of 4 patients. Improvement of BCVA was observed in 3 eyes of 3 patients, and stabilization in 3 eyes of 3 patients. Tocilizumab was well tolerated, and no severe side effects occurred.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment with tocilizumab can be considered in chronic uveitic macular edema even if previous immunomodulatory therapy has failed.
authors.affiliation: a Centre for Ophthalmology , University of Tuebingen , Tuebigen , Germany.
authors.forename: Christoph M E
authors.initials: CME
authors.lastname: Deuter
authors.affiliation: a Centre for Ophthalmology , University of Tuebingen , Tuebigen , Germany.
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zierhut
authors.affiliation: b Department of Internal Medicine II , University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen , Germany.
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Igney-Oertel
authors.affiliation: b Department of Internal Medicine II , University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen , Germany.
authors.forename: Theodoros
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Xenitidis
authors.affiliation: a Centre for Ophthalmology , University of Tuebingen , Tuebigen , Germany.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Feidt
authors.affiliation: a Centre for Ophthalmology , University of Tuebingen , Tuebigen , Germany.
authors.forename: Bianka
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sobolewska
authors.affiliation: c Department of Ophthalmology , Charité, University Medicine Berlin , Berlin , Germany.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Stuebiger
authors.affiliation: a Centre for Ophthalmology , University of Tuebingen , Tuebigen , Germany.
authors.forename: Deshka
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Doycheva
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014605:Uveitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; C502936:tocilizumab
keywords: immunomodulatory drug; macular edema; therapy; tocilizumab; uveitis