Interferon alpha-2a treatment for refractory Behcet uveitis in Korean patients

Abstract

BACKGROUND: To evaluate therapeutic outcomes of interferon alpha-2a (IFNalpha2a) treatment in patients with Behcet's disease who were refractory to immunosuppressive agents. METHODS: This retrospective case series reviewed the medical records of 5 patients with refractory Behcet uveitis from January 2011 to February 2017. IFNalpha2a was administered at a dose of 3 million IU 3 times per week. Clinical response, relapse rate, and change of visual acuity were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 39.60 +/- 9.21 years, and the median treatment duration was 6 months. Four of the 5 patients (80%) presented with responses to IFNalpha2a without any uveitis attack during the treatment period. The mean number of uveitis attacks/year per patient during the treatment was 0.40 +/- 0.89. The mean log of the Minimum Angle of Resolution visual acuity improved from 1.44 +/- 0.38 at baseline to 1.02 +/- 0.58 at the final follow up. CONCLUSIONS: IFNalpha2a is an effective therapy for Behcet uveitis refractory to conventional immunosuppressants in Korean patients.