Immunotherapies for thyroid eye disease

Purpose of review Thyroid eye disease is a complex autoimmune disorder which causes substantial morbidity. It can result in orbital disfigurement, double vision, and visual loss. Consequently, it has a substantial negative effect on quality of life, mental health, and socioeconomic status. Most signs and symptoms of thyroid eye disease (TED) can be explained by the expansion of the orbital contents. Steroids are the mainstay of treatment in TED. However, recurrence may occur once steroids are withdrawn. Furthermore, in most cases, normal orbital anatomy is not restored, and skilled rehabilitative surgery is required to reduce disfigurement, double vision, and to preserve vision. Therefore, novel, causal, and more efficacious treatment strategies are warranted. Recent findings In the last decade, the pathophysiology of TED has also been revised with the identification of new potential therapeutic targets. Recent clinical trials have shown that considerable benefit may be derived from the addition of antiproliferative agents (e.g., mycophenolate sodium) in preventing deterioration after steroid cessation. In addition, targeted biologic therapies have shown promise, including teprotumumab (anti-IGFR) which appears to substantially reduce proptosis, rituximab (anti-CD20) which reduces inflammation and tocilizumab (anti-IL-6) which potentially benefits both of these parameters. This short review summarizes the recent research developments in this area.