Efficacy and safety of certolizumab pegol and golimumab in the treatment of non-infectious uveitis

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of golimumab (GOL) and certolizumab pegol (CZP) as additional treatment options for the treatment of uveitis. METHODS: Patients with longstanding uveitis receiving either GOL or CZP were retrospectively evaluated in terms of frequency of ocular flares, drug survival, changes in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and steroid-sparing effect. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (30 eyes), 17 of whom being female, were enrolled in the study; 16 out of 21 patients had been previously treated with other tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α blockers. A significant reduction in ocular flares (from 128.6 bouts for 100 patients-year to 42.9 events for 100 patients-year) was observed between the 12 months prior to the start of GOL or CZP and the 12 months thereafter (p=0.01). The 36-month drug survival was 54.5% for CZP and 50.0% for GOL with no statistically significant differences between the two biologic agents. No differences were detected concerning BCVA values and the mean corticosteroid intake between baseline and the last follow-up. The safety profile was excellent. CONCLUSIONS: GOL and CZP represent effective and safe treatment choices for patients with uveitis also when unsuccessfully treated with other anti-TNF-α drugs, permitting a significant reduction in the frequency of ocular flares and preserving visual function with a good long-term retention rate.