Abstract
Adalimumab belongs to the inhibitors of tumour necrosis factor α. Since the year 2008, it has been approved for treatment of certain autoimmune diseases.
In addition, since autumn 2016, it has been approved also for treatment of non-infectious uveitis, which represents an intraocular inflammation of presumed immune aetiology. Adalimumab is the first drug from this group approved for ocular indication, based on clinical trials VISUAL I and II, which proved its therapeutic effect in active and inactive non-infectious intermediate, posterior uveitis and panuveitis in adults.
Adalimumab is also approved for the treatment of non-infectious chronic anterior uveitis in children. In case of uveitis associated with systemic disease (most frequently juvenile idiopathic arthritis or spondyloarthritis), the treatment is conducted by involved specialist.
In case of isolated ocular involvement, adalimumab is the only biologic agent, which can be prescribed by the ophthalmologist. Adalimumab therapy is reserved for patients who failed or do not tolerate conventional therapy, or conventional therapy is contraindicated.
A combination with other immunosuppressive drug is favourable, beside the concomitant therapeutic effect, it lowers the production of antibodies against adalimumab.