Efficacy of B Cell Depletion Therapy with Rituximab in Refractory Chronic Recurrent Uveitis Associated with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of B cell depletion therapy with the chimeric mouse/human anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab for refractory chronic recurrent granulomatous uveitis associated with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease. Methods Retrospective study of 9 patients (18 eyes) who failed to respond to conventional combination immunosuppressive therapy. Results All the patients received 3 rituximab infusions. The follow-up period after initiation of rituximab therapy ranged from 9 to 36 months (mean +/- SD, 19.2 +/- 10.1). All patients achieved remission and visual acuity significantly improved (p< .001). Rituximab provided corticosteroid-sparing effect along with control of inflammation. No rituximab-related complications were observed. Conclusions Rituximab is effective for the treatment of refractory chronic recurrent granulomatous uveitis associated with VKH disease.