Possible future therapeutics for Behçet’s syndrome

Abstract

Behçet’s syndrome (BS) is a chronic, relapsing multisystemic vasculitis that can affect most organ systems. BS is a worldwide pathology, for which prevalence varies according to the population and geographic location, and is characterized by major symptoms consisting of recurrent orogenital ulcerations, eye and skin lesions. Vasculitis affecting all types and sizes of blood vessels is the main histopathologic process. Although aetiology of the disease is still unknown, high prevalence of HLA-B51, increased expression of heat-shock protein 60 and T_H1 dominant immune responses in the patients are considered important in its pathogenesis. Improved understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of BS, and especially of the molecular basis involved in its pathogenesis, has sparked a new generation of potential BS treatments with more specific targeting of the immune system. Recent advances in therapeutic agents have improved the prognosis. In this article, the available reports on possibly future therapeutics for Behçet’s syndrome are reviewed.

Keywords::

• Behçet’s syndrome

Acknowledgements

Authors have no financial or proprietary interest in any products used in this study.