Biologic Agents in Behçet’s Disease: Our Experience and Review of the Literature

Nesibe Karahan Yeşil¹, Hatice Şahin², Hatice Işık³, Zuhal Örnek⁴, Serpil Yazgan⁵, Adem Tok⁶, Yunus Emre Yandı⁷, Metin Işık^8*, İsmail Doğan⁹

¹Department of Rheumatology, Ankara Research and Education Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
²Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Bülent Ecevit University, Zonguldak, Turkey.
³Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Bülent Ecevit University, Zonguldak, Turkey.
⁴Department of Pediatric Disaease, Faculty of Medicine, Bülent Ecevit University, Zonguldak, Turkey.
⁵Department of Ophtalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Bülent Ecevit University, Zonguldak, Turkey.
⁶Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Bülent Ecevit University, Zonguldak, Turkey.
⁷Division of Biochemistry, Department of Medical Services and Techniques, Health Sciences, Vocational School, Bülent Ecevit University, Zonguldak, Turkey.
⁸Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Bülent Ecevit University, Zonguldak, Turkey.
⁹Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hitit University, Çorum, Turkey.

DOI: 10.4236/ojra.2015.54016                

Abstract

Behcet’s disease (BD) is a large vessel vasculitis with a wide range of clinical manifestations. Some of these manifestation may be life threatening and rapid suppression of the inflammation with effective immunosuppressive agent is crucial. There are traditional drugs with different response rates and all have efficacy on different manifestations of the disease. The most frightening manifestations of the disease are ocular, neurologic, intestinal and vascular types of involvement. Besides benign and easily treated manifestations there are also refractory cases with complicated involvement. The novel biologic agents have been used for these resistant patients and favorable response rates have been reported. In this review, we have shared our experience with biologic agents in BD and also reviewed the literature for the efficacy and safety for these novel agents for refractory patients.

Keywords

Behçet’s Disease, Novel Biologic Agents, Refractory Patients

1. Introduction

Behçet’s disease (BD) is a systemic large-vessel vasculitis with various clinical manifestations like recurrent oral and genital aphthous ulcerations, uveitis, vascular, neurological, articular and gastrointestinal manifestations [1] [2] . Management of BD depends on the severity and the type of the clinical manifestation. Colchicine and some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents are generally efficacious for muco-cutaneous and joint symptoms [3] . On the other hand, for patients with posterior uveitis, vasculitis, and patients with neurological and gastrointestinal involvements, aggressive immunosuppressive agents are necessary [4] . Uveitis is the most frequent complication of BD and besides interferon alfa, infliximab, adalimumab, anakinra, canakinumab, tocilizumab and ruti-ximab are the novel agents for resistant diseases with favorable efficacy and tolerability [5] . Long-term remission, protection of visual acuity and lowering systemic corticosteroid necessity are the main treatment targets in ocular BD. On the other hand, BD may present with neurologic symptoms as parenchymal or non- parenchymal neuro-Behçet disease (NBD). Parenchymal NBD is more frequent and defined as an inflammatory perivasculitis, in the brainstem as subacute meningoencephalitis or may present as unilateral lesion in the upper brainstem extending into the thalamus and basal ganglia. Venous sinus thrombosis is the most common presentation of the second form of NBD and headache and papilledema are the most frequent signs [6] . High dose corticosteroid therapies for attacks and azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, interferon-α and anti-TNF agents for long- term preventive treatment are the general approach to NBD but trials are limited to build up a guideline [7] . Similarly, for patients with gastrointestinal manifestations 5-aminosalicylic acid, corticosteroids, immune-modu- lators, and anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha monoclonal antibody therapy are prescribed [8] .

Herein, we have reported our experience with biologic agents in BD and also tried to review the literature. All the accessible trials or manuscripts about biologic therapy in BD were included.

2. Patient characteristics in Our Study population

There were totally 128 patients with BD in our medical database but only 108 were suitable to be classified as BD according to the International Study Group criteria. Of all, 41 (38%) male and 67 (62%) female patients with a median age of 41.5 (16 - 68) were analyzed. The median disease duration was 76 (0 - 327) months. The frequencies of disease manifestation were as follows; oral apthous ulcers; 100%, genital ulcers; 82.4%, erythema nodosum; 43.5%, ocular involvement; 25.9%, parenchymal NBD; 4.6%, venous sinus thrombosis; 0.9%, gastrointestinal involvement; 1.9%, arterial inflammation (aortitis and arterial aneurysms); 5.6%, arthritis; 18.5%, deep vein thrombosis; 15.7% and other type of skin manifestations; 22.2%. Pathergy skin test was done for 28 patients and 60.7% were positive for this test. Human leucocyte antigen B 51 (HLA B51) was studied in 16 patients and 68.7% were positive. Colchicine was prescribed to all patients and the second most frequently used agent was azathioprine (29.6%). Six (5.5%) patients have used intravenous pulse steroids and cyclophosphamide therapy, 5 for parenchymal NBD and 3 for aortitis (2 patients had concomitant aortitis and NBD).

Seventeen (15.7%) patients have used interferon alpha 2a, 12 for ocular involvement, 3 for arterial aneurysms (vasculitis) 1 for parenchymal NBD and 1 for gastrointestinal disease. Eleven patient have taken anti-TNFagents; 8 infliximab, 1 golimumab and 1 adalimumab. One patient has used multiple anti-TNF agents; etanercept, ada- limumab and infliximab in order. Eight patients with ocular disease, 1 with parenchymal NBD, 1 with gastrointestinal disease and 1 with resistant arthritis were on Anti-TNF therapy.

In our study population, anakinra, tocilizumab, canakinumab and rutiximab were not used.

3. Biologic agents for Behçet’s Disease

3.1. Ocular Disease

Ocular involvement in BD is a diagnostic criteria according to the international study group and also is one of the most frequent manifestation. Non granulomatous type of anterior uveitis sometimes with hypopion or posterior involvement including vitritis, retinal infiltrates, sheathing of retinal veins, occlusive vasculitis, and macular edema are the main presentations of ocular disease. Male patients, especially younger ones, have a worse prognosis and visual loss is more frequent among this group. Current treatment goals for ocular disease are rapid suppression of intraocular inflammation, preservation of vision, prevention of recurrences, and achievement of remission. For patient with posterior uveitis and retinal vasculitis, interferon alpha and TNF alpha blockers have successfully improved the visual prognosis and after the usage of these two agents for refractory cases, blindness is no more a common problem.

With the beginning of the millennium, efficacy of interferon alpha for refractory ocular disease has been reported and in 2008 EULAR has also recommended IFN alpha for patients with refractory disease in the first step. The major adverse effects of IFN alpha are cytopenia and depression.

Kotter I. et al., have reported that 94% of the patients with active uveitis have benefit from IFN alpha in the first 4 weeks and more than half of the patients had long-term remission after 15 months of therapy. Revascularization of the retinal vein and regression of neovascularization were also observed [9] . Deuter C.M. et al., have reported 98.1% response rates INF alpha and 50% drug free remission after 4 years. The recovery in visual acuity was long lived and women had better prognosis. Furthermore, IFN alpha 2a was reported to be more effective than IFN alpha 2b [10] . In a systematic review by Kotter I. in 2004, 338 patient treated with interferon alpha were reviewed and 94% of the patients with uveitis had partial or complete response [11] .

Another important biologic agent for the ocular involvement is infliximab. In a multicenter analysis from Japan, 164 patients with refractory uveitis on infliximab therapy were evaluated and a prominent decrease in number of attacks was provided, as well as a 55% increase in best visual acuity [12] .

Keino H. et al., reported 9 patients with Behçet’s uveitis and stated that infliximab reduced ocular attacks and mean background retinal/disc vascular leakage. Similarly, Kaburaki T. et al., have reported decrease in number and severity of attacks [13] [14] . Okada A.A. and collegues have evaluated the safety of infliximab for uveitis in BD and have reported that infliximab was very effective and also safe for these patients [15] .

Perra D. et al., have used adalimumab for refractory BD and all the 8 patients with Behçets uveitis and retinal vasculitis responded adalimumab rapidly [16] .

Arida A. et al., reviewed the literature for anti-TNF in BD and found that etanercept, adalimumab and infliximab were all effective and safe options for refractory patients with BD [17] . In 2014, the expert panel recommendations were published and both infliximab and adalimumab were recommended as first line therapy for patients with Behçets uveitis and switch between two agents were accepted to be safe and effective to keep remission [18] .

Blockage of IL-1 and 6 may also work in refractory Behçets uveitis because these two cytokines take place in the pathophysiology of the disease but there are no adequate data. Tocilizumab is an IL-6 blocker and have been used for takayasu and giant cell arteritis but not for Behçet uveitis. On the other hand, there are some data showing that tocilizumab has favorable response in NBD [19] .

In conclusion, for refractory ocular disease IFN alpha 2a, infliximab and perhaps adalimumab may be effective treatment options but further trials are necessary with other novel biologic agents.

3.2. Neuro-Behçet

Neurologic manifestations of BD are not as common as ocular manifestations but are life threatening and may cause severe disability. Therefore, NBD should be treated rapidly and effectively as well. For years high dose corticosteroids and ımmunosuppressive agents were prescribed but novel biologic agents are also effective [7] .

Borhani Haghighi A. et al., reported 4 patients with NBD and 2 patients on 3 mg/kg dose without any adjacent agent had unfavorable results but the other two who took 5 mg/kg dose and monthly cyclophosphamide besides achieved good response [20] .

Kanemura H. et al., reported a patient with good response to infliximab with long-term follow up [21] . Hirohata S. et al., studied the cytokines responsible for the development of NBD and reported that especially IL 6 and 8 levels were increased in the cerebrospinal fluid, which may mean that blockade of these two cytokines may be other future therapies for NBD [22] . Shapiro L.S. and collegue have reported a refractory NBD patient with an excellent response to IL-6 blocker tocilizumab [23] .

Although not adequate, experience with INF alpha is also present for NBD. For dural sinus thrombosis with headache and increase in intracranial pressure a brief course of steroid therapy is recommended [24] . In our study group, all the patients with parenchymal NBD had taken pulse corticosteroid and intravenous cyclophosphamide therapy, and for remission induction and for maintenance of remission other immune-suppressive agents were preferred. Therefore, further trials are necessary and therapy decision must be tailored to the patient’s characteristic features.

3.3. Entero-Behçet

Gastrointestinal involvement in BD may be complicated by serious comorbidities, such as gastrointestinal bleeding and perforation, with poor prognosis. For decades high-dose corticosteroids (CSs) and immuno-sup- pressants were widely used for treatments, but refractory or steroid depended entero-BD was difficult to be managed, and effective treatment regimens are necessary. Biologic agents may be an option for these refractory patients.

There are some reports declaring response to infiliximab plus thalidomide or infliximab plus methotrexate for patients with refractory entero-BD and also a small study is also present with infliximab [25] -[31] . On the other hand, case reports with etanercept, interferon and a trial with adalimumab are also present but tocilizumab was not sufficiently investigated for entero-BD [32] -[37] . In our study population, there were only 2 patients with entero-behçets disease and one was treated with infliximab, colchicine and steroid combination and the other one with interferon and azathioprine combination. Both had favorable responses.

3.4. Major vessel Disease

Although BD is known as a large vessel vasculitis, all vessels of any size may be affected. Thrombosis and arterials aneurysms are common and anti-coagulation with immune-suppression for venous thrombosis is recommended. For arterial disease high dose corticosteroids with other immune-suppressive agents are necessary [24] .

Schäfer VS has reviewed the literature for biologic agents in large vessel vasculitis and have recommended usage of anti-TNF agents and tocilizumab for refractory patients [38] .

Adler and colleagues reported 7 patients with vascular BD responding to infliximab, three with aortic involve- ment, one with recurrent venous thrombosis of the pelvic veins, one with recurrent venous and arterial thromboses of the thigh, and two with retinal vasculitis. Inflammation has been rapidly suppressed and infliximab was found to be effective for both inducing and maintaining remission in vascular BD and the authors have recommended infliximab for refractory patients with vascular manifestations [39] . Lee et al, in 2010 have tested adalimumab for bilateral pulmonary arterial aneurysm and reported acceptable response [40] .

In our study population, there were 6 patients with arterial involvenment and 17 patients with venous disease. Three of them were treated with intravenous pulse steroid plus cyclophosphamide combination and 3 with high dose corticosteroids plus azathioprine combinations. Patients with venous disease used colchicine, low dose steroids and azathioprine (13/17; 76.4%).

3.5. Joint involvement

Arthritis in BD is usually mild and non-deforming type of arthritis mostly involving the knee. Colchicine is mostly adequate for arthritis in BD and rarely sulfasalazine and methotrexate with low dose steroid have been used. Biologic agents are very rarely necessary. Donghi D has reported a very refractory patient with arthritis, NBD, uveitis and entero-behçet’s disease treated with infliximab [41] . On the other hand, ankylosing spondylitis may accompany BD and for these patients anti-TNF agents are prescribed but for purely behçets arthritis colchicine is mostly enough. In our study population there were 20 patients with arthritis and 8 of them had accompanying ankylosing spondylitis and other 12 patients were on colchicine therapy (± low dose corticosteroids).

4. Conclusions

Behçet’s disease is common in the old silk-road and as a vasculitis a wide range of clinical manifestations may complicate the disease. Some patients with ocular, intestinal, vascular and neurologic involvement may be refractory to traditional immunosuppressive agents or may become high dose steroid depended; for these refractory patients biologic agent may provide benefit. The most frequently prescribed and most widely studied agent is interferon alpha 2a but infliximab and to a lesser extent other anti-TNF agents, rutiximab, tocilizumab, cana- kinumab, rutiximab and anakinra may all provide acceptable response rates for selected patients; and of course, further randomized placebo controlled trials are necessary for further recommendations and to build up guidelines. In the near future, alemtuzumab and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may also be studied in complicated and refractory behçets disease.

To our opinion, biologic agents should be preserved for patients resistant to all traditional immunosuppressive agents or for high dose steroid dependent patients. The clinical feature and personal characteristics of the patient, experience of the clinician with the biologic agent, safety and efficacy data are all important factors. Finally, we recommend the clinicians to be brave and self-confident in using biologic agents but careful as well.

NOTES

^*Corresponding author.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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