Biologics in Treatment of Behçet Uveitis

Ocular involvement of Behçet disease is characterized by bilateral, recurrent non-granulomatous panuveitis and retinal vasculitis and may lead to serious retinal damage and loss of vision. Posterior segment involvement is an absolute indication for immunomudulatory therapy in management of Behçet uveitis. Conventional therapy including steroids and immunosuppressives and interferons may not be sufficient to prevent retinal damage. Besides, adverse reactions related to these agents may limit their usage. In this situation, relatively new biologic agents open new horizons for preventing visual loss related to Behçet uveitis. These agents include tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alfa) inhibitors (infliximab, adalimumab, golimumab, etanercept ve certolizumab), IL-1 inhibitors (anakinra, canakinumab, gevokizumab), IL-6 inhibitors (tocilizumab) and B-cell inhibitors (rituximab). This review aims to provide an overview of biologics in the treatment of Behçet uveitis.