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Evaluation of potential retinal toxicity of adalimumab (Humira)

  • Inflammatory Disorders
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the retinal toxicity of two doses of adalimumab (Humira), a recombinant human IgG1 monoclonal antibody specific for human tumor necrosis factor (TNF), when injected intravitreally in rabbits.

Methods

Sixteen male pigmented rabbits (divided into two groups, eight animals per group) were used for this study. Two concentrations of adalimumab were tested: 0.5 mg/0.1 ml and 5 mg/0.1 ml. Each concentration was injected intravitreally randomly in one eye (study group) of each rabbit (group I received 0.5 mg/0.1 ml and group II received 5.0 mg/0.1 ml), while in the other eye (control group) 0.1 ml of sterile balanced saline solution (BSS) was injected. Slit-lamp and funduscopic examinations were performed every second day for 2 weeks for signs of infection, inflammation and toxicity. A baseline electroretinogram (ERG) was performed before the experiment and at the last follow-up day (day 14). ERG examination followed ISCEV standards. At the last follow-up day, the animals were sacrificed and the enucleated eyes were prepared for histological evaluation of retinal toxicity.

Results

No differences in ERG responses at photopic and scotopic conditions were observed in eyes injected with either concentration of adalimumab or BSS. Furthermore, histologic examination of the retina in the enucleated eyes (in all groups) did not demonstrate any evidence of drug toxicity.

Conclusions

Intravitreal adalimumab did not appear toxic to the retina in this experimental model at concentrations of 0.5 and 5 mg. If found safe in additional studies, intravitreally injected adalimumab could be evaluated for efficacy in the treatment of inflammatory eye conditions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Vision and Optics (IVO), School of Health Sciences, University of Crete, 71003, Heraklion, Crete, Greece

    Miltiadis Tsilimbaris, Vasilios F. Diakonis, Irini Naoumidi, George Chatzithanasis & Sotiris Plainis

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, University of Crete, Crete, Greece

    Miltiadis Tsilimbaris, Spyridon Charisis & Thekla Papadaki

  3. Rheumatology Clinic, University Hospital of Heraklion, Crete, Greece

    Iraklis Kritikos

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  1. Miltiadis Tsilimbaris
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Correspondence to Miltiadis Tsilimbaris.

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Tsilimbaris, M., Diakonis, V.F., Naoumidi, I. et al. Evaluation of potential retinal toxicity of adalimumab (Humira). Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 247, 1119–1125 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-009-1065-y

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