These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Everolimus for the treatment of uveitis refractory to cyclosporine A: a pilot study.
    Author: Heiligenhaus A, Zurek-Imhoff B, Roesel M, Hennig M, Rammrath D, Heinz C.
    Journal: Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol; 2013 Jan; 251(1):143-52. PubMed ID: 23073842.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: This study investigated the efficacy of everolimus, a potent inhibitor of T lymphocyte proliferation, for treating noninfectious uveitis. The study design was an open-label prospective trial. METHODS: Twelve patients with severe chronic uveitis (anterior and intermediate n = 9, panuveitis n = 3) refractive to cyclosporine A (CsA) received additional everolimus. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: the primary outcome measure was uveitis inactivity at 3 months. Secondary outcome measures were uveitis recurrence, visual acuity (BCVA), laser flare photometry values, cystoid macular edema, and tapering of concomitant corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressive drugs in 12 months with the addition of everolimus and after withdrawing everolimus. Percentages of peripheral blood CD3(+)CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) cells were studied. RESULTS: At month 3 with everolimus, uveitis was inactive in all patients. By 12 months, uveitis had recurred in four patients after tapering (n = 2) or withdrawing (n = 2) CsA. BCVA remained stable in all patients, mean foveal thickness (OCT) was slightly reduced from 308 μm at baseline to 255 μm (p = 0.1), and mean flare values were slightly reduced from 27.8 to 19.3 photons/msec (p = 0.1). It was possible to achieve a 50 % dose reduction of systemic prednisone (n = 8) or CsA (n = 8). After withdrawing everolimus, uveitis recurred in 50 % within 1 month; by 6 months, BCVA dropped ≥2 lines in five patients, and prednisone use increased ≥50 % in four patients. The percentage of peripheral blood CD3(+)CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) T cells increased during the everolimus treatment, and dropped after withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS: Uveitis inactivity was achieved with the addition of everolimus in patients with chronic, CsA-refractive anterior and intermediate uveitis, or panuveitis.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]