Abstract
Purpose :
There is a lack of data regarding biosimilar Infliximab for the treatment of non-infectious uveitis. Due to cost control purposes, originator Infliximab was systematically switched to biosimilar Infliximab in our health region. We performed a retrospective study, to investigate the efficacy of biosimilar Infliximab compared to originator Infliximab for chronic non-infectious uveitis.
Methods :
All patients with non-infectious uveitis, treated with Infliximab in the Central Norway Health Region between 2007-2018, were included. They were switched from originator to biosimilar Infliximab between 2014-2017. The primary outcome in this study was quiescence of uveitis, before and after switch. All patients were seen every 1-3 months. All visits were divided into 3 monthly periods of 2 or more visits spanning at least 28 but not more than 90 days. Every visit was classified as “inactive, “slightly active” or “active”. Inflammation was graded according to the Standardization of uveitis Nomenclature (SUN) criteria. Quiescence was defined as completely “inactive” or “slightly active” status. Poisson regression analysis was applied to find the incidence rate ratio of quiescence when comparing biosimilar to originator Infliximab.
Results :
Of 29 patients treated with Infliximab for chronic non-infectious uveitis, we had complete data for 28 patients. Twenty three of these patients were switched from originator Infliximab to biosimilar Infliximab. The majority were Caucasian (87%), female patients (92%) that had chronic anterior uveitis (65%). The median duration of treatment on the originator for the entire cohort was 38 months (range: 8-131 months) and the median duration of treatment with biosimilar was 15 months (range: 5-55 months). Use of concomitant immunosuppressive medications and oral steroids were similar in both the originator and biosimilar group. The Incidence rate ratio (IRR) for quiescence (slightly active and inactive status) was 0,909 (95% CI 0,7-1,1, p = 0.378). When adjusting for patients who had undergone intraocular surgery the IRR was 0,903 (95% CI 0,7 – 1,1, p= 0,368).
Conclusions :
The efficacy of biosimilar Infliximab is similar to originator Infliximab in this population of patients with non-infectious uveitis.
This is a 2020 ARVO Annual Meeting abstract.