Efficacy of adalimumab in patients with Behçet's disease unsuccessfully treated with infliximab.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the clinical response after switching from infliximab to adalimumab in patients with Behçet's disease (BD). METHODS In this ongoing, prospective, longitudinal and observational study, data were collected on efficacy and safety of every patient with BD beginning anti-TNF therapy in the last 8 years. The present analysis was restricted to patients who were switched to adalimumab after failing or not tolerating infliximab. RESULTS A total of 69 patients with BD have been treated with infliximab so far. Seventeen of these (25%) have been switched to adalimumab for lack or loss of efficacy or infusion reactions. In 10 out of these 17, the main manifestations requiring switching were the mucocutaneous lesions, in 4 retinal vasculitis and in 3 the neurological involvement. Of the 17 treated patients, 9 showed sustained remission of the disease and 3 a good response. No side effects were observed in any patient. CONCLUSIONS The results of our study suggest that patients with BD showing a scarce response or adverse events to infliximab may successfully be treated with adalimumab, regardless of the reason for switching.