Adalimumab in high-risk penetrating keratoplasty: a case report

A single case report of a 30-year-old Caucasian woman with four previous graft rejections, history of herpetic disease and neovascularization, who underwent a further penetrating keratoplasty. Immunomodulators were additionally prescribed to prevent immune rejection. Keratoplasty was successfully performed but the initial immunosuppressive protocol had to be switched because of its side effects. Adalimumab was then introduced and maintained in monotherapy for 30 months. The corneal graft has remained clear so far, with no history of immune rejection while using this drug. This is the first published report concerning the use of adalimumab for preventing graft rejection after high-risk penetrating keratoplasty. It seems to be effective in preventing corneal graft rejection in high-risk penetrating keratoplasty, and should therefore be considered for prophylactic therapy. J Emmetropia 2015; 6: 163-165