Infliximab for parenchymal neuro-Behçet's syndrome: case series and meta-analysis.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of infliximab (IFX) in patients with parenchymal neuro-Behçet's syndrome (p-NBS).
Methods: We retrospectively analysed eleven p-NBS patients treated with IFX at our institution and combined them with studies from database searches for a meta-analysis. Pooled estimates of clinical response (complete and partial remission) and MRI improvement at months 3, 6, and 12 were calculated.
Results: One patient achieved CR and the other ten patients achieved PR at our institution. 8 studies (77 patients) were included in the meta-analysis. At 3, 6, and 12 months, 97% (95%CI 61.9-100%), 89.6% (95%CI 45.9-100%), 100% (95%CI 96.0-100%) of patients showed clinical response and 100% (95%CI 89.7-100%), 89.1% (95% CI 26.3-100%), 99.5% (95% CI 96.0-100%) of patients showed radiological improvement, respectively. Severe adverse events were observed in 7 patients.
Conclusions: IFX was effective and relatively safe for p-NBS. Patients should be re-evaluated after 3 months of IFX to determine further therapy.