Efficacy and safety of adalimumab in the treatment of non-infectious uveitis: a meta-analysis and systematic review

OBJECTIVE: To summarize updated evidences on the efficacy and safety of adalimumab (ADA) in the treatment of patients with non-infectious uveitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A systematic search between January 2000 and September 2017 was conducted using PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane libraries. We investigated control of inflammation, improvement of visual acuity (VA), corticosteroid-sparing effect, and adverse events (AEs) or serious adverse events. RESULTS: Three randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and 20 non-RCTs were included and analyzed. The pooled proportions of inflammation control were 74% (95% CI 64%–82%) and 79% (95% CI 69%–87%) in groups of ≤6- and ≥12-months follow-up durations. No significant difference was found between the two groups (χ(2) = 0.920, p = 0.337). Analysis of subgroups classified by degree of being treatment-naïve for anti-TNFα agents showed the inflammation control reached a high of 87% (95% CI 80%–92%) when subjects were “almost naïve” to anti-TNFα before ADA treatment. VA was improved by three or more lines in 41.3% (52/126) eyes, and was equal to or better than the baseline in 88.8% (142/160) eyes. Corticosteroid sparing was observed in 82.0% (91/111) of the patients; among them, 48.8% (40/82) discontinued use of corticosteroid completely. Minor drug-related adverse events were reported. The treatment effects of ADA were generally consistent in the three RCTs, and ADA reduced the risk of treatment failure by 43%–75%. CONCLUSION: The current review provided evidences that ADA might be a promising choice in reducing inflammatory activity, gaining VA, and sparing corticosteroid use with minor AEs when applied in treating non-infectious uveitis.