What is immunomodulatory therapy?
An immunomodulator or immunosuppresor is a medication that blocks some of the human body's defense system functions and, therefore, it is administered to regulate the patient's immune response.
When is this treatment indicated?
Immunomodulators are used to prevent the rejection of a transplanted organ or for the treatment of autoimmune diseases like vasculitis, rheumatoid arthritis, IBS, psoriasis, lupus and many others. With regard to the eyes, they can be useful for patients with a cornea transplant to prevent rejection, with inflammatory eye diseases associated with autoimmune diseases or with chronic or recurring non-infectious uveitis to avoid reactivation and reduce to the minimum the need for corticoids and their undesired effects.
The end objective is to preserve the integrity of all the eye's structures needed for good visual functioning.
How is it performed?
Classic or conventional immunosuppressors like Azathioprine, Methotrexate, Cyclosporine and Mycophenolate Mofetil are generally adminstered orally, although some of them, for example Methotrexate, can also be administered subcutaneously (an injection under the skin).
Other more recent immunomodulators are biological drugs. They contain specific antibodies aimed at neutralising substances in our body that cause inflammation. These produce a more "selective" type of immunomodulation. They are administered endovenously or subcutaneously. Some of the most commonly used in ophthalmology are Adalimumab and Infliximab.
Immunomodulatory drugs can be administered alone or in combination with others. The specialist will decide on the dose based on the patient's weight, response to treatment and other specific factors involved in each drug.
Once the amount of each drug necessary has been determined for each patient, in some cases it may be necessary to perform a blood test to check the dose is right or adjust it if necessary.
Results
Under the current guidelines for immunomodulatory therapy, the control of inflammatory eye diseases has improved considerably, flare-ups have reduced and the need for long-term corticoids has lowered and, with it, the side effects arising therefrom.
Therefore, by avoiding gradual damage to the intraocular structures in cases of long-term inflammation, the visual prognosis has signficantly improved.
Possible risks
These medications are not exempt from side effects, therefore, they must be used in combination with strict monitoring by a multidisciplinary team, regular blood tests and check-ups with a rheumatologist/internal medicine doctor during follow-up.
Due to the fact that the majority of them do not act selectively, the immune system may lose its ability to fight off infections which implies an increase in risks, the majority mild. Therefore, before starting immunosuppressant treatment, updating your vaccination schedule is recommended.
In addition, depending on the drug uses, there may be side effects like digestive intolerance (abdominal discomfort, vomitting, diarrhea...), high blood pressure, liver and renal toxicity, hirsutism (excess body hair development among women), etc.