Baricitinib for the treatment of refractory vascular Behçet's disease

• Published in: Clinical immunology (Orlando, Fla.) Vol. 250; p. 109298
• Main Authors: Wang, Zhimian, Wang, Xiaoou, Liu, Weiwei, Wang, Yuhua, Liu, Jinjing, Zhang, Li, Zhang, Shangzhu, Tian, Xinping, Zhao, Yan, Zheng, Wenjie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.05.2023
• Subjects: Baricitinib; Behcet Syndrome - drug therapy; Behçet's disease; Biologics therapy; Glucocorticoids - therapeutic use; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents - therapeutic use; Male; Pilot Projects; Refractory; Sulfonamides - therapeutic use; Treatment Outcome; Vascular/cardiac involvement; Refractory; Vascular/cardiac involvement; Behçet's disease; Biologics therapy; Baricitinib
• ISSN: 1521-6616; 1521-7035; 1521-7035
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2023.109298

The pilot study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of baricitinib in Behcet's Disease (BD) patients with refractory vascular involvement. We consecutively enrolled vascular/cardiac BD patients who received baricitinib (2 mg/day) along with glucocorticoids (GCs) and immunosuppressants in our center. Efficacy assessment mainly depends on the proportion of clinical remission and side effects were recorded. 17 patients (12 males) were included with a mean follow-up of 10.7 ± 5.3 months. At 3 months of follow-up, 76.5% of patients achieved a complete response and the proportion increased to 88.2% at the last visit. During follow-up, ESR (p < 0.01) and hsCRP (p < 0.0001) decreased significantly, as well as Behçet's Disease Current Activity Form score (p < 0.01). In addition, baricitinib showed a GCs-sparing effect. No serious adverse events were noted. Our study suggests that baricitinib is well-tolerated and effective in treating refractory vascular/cardiac BD patients. •New treatments are warranted for refractory vascular BD patients due to its high mortality and poor clinical prognosis.•Baricitinib appeared to be potentially effective and well-tolerated in refractory vascular BD patients.•Baricitinib had a glucocorticoid-sparing effect on refractory vascular BD.