Interferon α2a Versus Cyclosporine for Refractory Behçet's Disease Uveitis

Inclusion Criteria:

• Refractory BDU patients fulfilling the International Criteria for Behçet's disease (ICBD) published in 2013 with recent recurrence of pan- or posterior uveitis;
• The patient should be on ≥10mg/d oral prednisone or equivalent with at least one of the following IMT agents: cyclophosphamide≥50mg/d, CsA≥100mg/d, azathioprine≥50mg/d, methotrexate≥15mg/w, mycophenolate≥1000mg/d, tacrolimus≥2mg/d.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Previous treatment with interferon-α;
• Pregnancy, breast feeding women;
• Malignancy;
• Renal impairment (creatinine > 1.5 mg/dl);
• Uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes;
• Depression or other psychic disorders;
• History of acute or chronic inflammatory joint or autoimmune disease;
• Patients with severe extra-ocular involvement other than oral/genital ulcer and skin involvement;
• Organ or bone marrow transplant recipient, cardiac failure > NYHA III;
• Acute liver disease with ALT or SGPT 2x above normal;
• White blood cell count < 3500/mm^3;
• Platelet count < 100000/mm^3;
• Hgb < 8.5g/dl;
• T-SPOT TB: ≥200 SFCs per 10^6 PBMC;
• Active peptic ulcer, systemic or local infection, moderate to severe osteoporosis or other contraindications of large dose corticosteroids;
• Previous intolerance to CsA;
• Other severe ocular diseases or intraocular surgery within 3 months;
• Media opacity precluding a clear view of the fundus;
• Positive screen test for HBV, HCV, HIV infection or syphilis;
• Body weight <45 kg;
• Alcohol abuse or drug abuse;
• Mental impairment;
• Uncooperative attitude.