Efficacy of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Inhibitor Adalimumab in Chronic Recurrent Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada Disease

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease is a bilateral granulomatous panuveitis that can progress to a chronic, relapsing phase. Patients refractory or intolerant to systemic corticosteroids and conventional immunomodulatory therapy pose a major therapeutic challenge, as persistent inflammation can lead to cumulative ocular damage and permanent vision loss. This study assessed the efficacy of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitor adalimumab in chronic recurrent VKH disease. <b>Methods:</b> We retrospectively reviewed 16 eyes from 8 patients with chronic recurrent VKH disease who had persistent inflammation despite treatment with corticosteroids and conventional immunomodulatory therapy, and subsequently received adalimumab. Primary outcomes were changes in subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and systemic corticosteroid dose reduction. Secondary outcomes included visual acuity, inflammatory parameters (anterior chamber cell, flare, and vitreous haze), and central macular thickness (CMT). All outcomes were compared between baseline and 6 months after adalimumab initiation using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. <b>Results:</b> Mean patient age was 47.6 years and mean follow-up was 31.8 months. SFCT decreased from 326.7 ± 129.1 µm to 231.6 ± 72.9 µm at 6 months (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Systemic steroid dose decreased from 14.7 ± 14.0 mg to 4.1 ± 3.8 mg (<i>p</i> = 0.027). Mean annualized relapse rate decreased from 3.61 to 0.08 episodes/year (<i>p</i> = 0.012). Anterior chamber cell grade decreased from 0.81 ± 0.66 to 0.09 ± 0.20 (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Visual acuity, flare, vitreous haze, and CMT showed no significant change. No serious adverse events occurred. <b>Conclusions</b>: TNF-α inhibition with adalimumab appears effective as steroid-sparing therapy for controlling recurrent inflammation and reducing steroid dependence in patients with chronic recurrent VKH disease refractory to conventional treatment.

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Publication Details

Journal
Pharmaceuticals
Published
2025-12-03
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18121848
Primary Topic
Ocular Diseases and Behçet’s Syndrome
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Efficacy of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Inhibitor Adalimumab in Chronic Recurrent Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada Disease

Yoo-Ri Chung, Hae Rang Kim, Ji Hun Song, J.H. Lee
Pharmaceuticals
Ocular Diseases and Behçet’s Syndrome
article

Efficacy of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Inhibitor Adalimumab in Chronic Recurrent Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada Disease

Yoo-Ri Chung, Hae Rang Kim, Ji Hun Song, J.H. Lee
article en

Abstract

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease is a bilateral granulomatous panuveitis that can progress to a chronic, relapsing phase. Patients refractory or intolerant to systemic corticosteroids and conventional immunomodulatory therapy pose a major therapeutic challenge, as persistent inflammation can lead to cumulative ocular damage and permanent vision loss. This study assessed the efficacy of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitor adalimumab in chronic recurrent VKH disease. <b>Methods:</b> We retrospectively reviewed 16 eyes from 8 patients with chronic recurrent VKH disease who had persistent inflammation despite treatment with corticosteroids and conventional immunomodulatory therapy, and subsequently received adalimumab. Primary outcomes were changes in subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and systemic corticosteroid dose reduction. Secondary outcomes included visual acuity, inflammatory parameters (anterior chamber cell, flare, and vitreous haze), and central macular thickness (CMT). All outcomes were compared between baseline and 6 months after adalimumab initiation using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. <b>Results:</b> Mean patient age was 47.6 years and mean follow-up was 31.8 months. SFCT decreased from 326.7 ± 129.1 µm to 231.6 ± 72.9 µm at 6 months (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Systemic steroid dose decreased from 14.7 ± 14.0 mg to 4.1 ± 3.8 mg (<i>p</i> = 0.027). Mean annualized relapse rate decreased from 3.61 to 0.08 episodes/year (<i>p</i> = 0.012). Anterior chamber cell grade decreased from 0.81 ± 0.66 to 0.09 ± 0.20 (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Visual acuity, flare, vitreous haze, and CMT showed no significant change. No serious adverse events occurred. <b>Conclusions</b>: TNF-α inhibition with adalimumab appears effective as steroid-sparing therapy for controlling recurrent inflammation and reducing steroid dependence in patients with chronic recurrent VKH disease refractory to conventional treatment.

PharmaceuticalsVol. 18(12)
Ajou University (KR)
Ajou University
Openalex Percentile: Top 47%
Ocular Diseases and Behçet’s Syndrome
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