Ponatinib Inducing a Panuveitis with Choroidal Effusions and Neurosensory Retinal Detachment in a Patient with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia

• Published in: Ocular immunology and inflammation Vol. 30; no. 5; pp. 1186 - 1189
• Main Authors: Patil, A. D., Backhouse, O. C., McGonagle, D., Bhan, K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 04-07-2022
• Subjects: choroidal effusion; chronic myeloid leukemia; neurosensory retinal detachment; Ponatinib; Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome; chronic myeloid leukemia; Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome; neurosensory retinal detachment; Ponatinib; choroidal effusion
• ISSN: 0927-3948; 1744-5078
• DOI: 10.1080/09273948.2020.1866618

Case Summary: We present the case of a 50 year old male patient being treated for chronic myeloid leukemia by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, Ponatinib. After 3 months of treatment, he developed a sight-threatening granulomatous panuveitis in both eyes, with choroidal effusions and neurosensory retinal detachments. Except for a positive interferon-gamma release assay suggesting previous Tuberculosis exposure, all uveitis investigations were normal. Discontinuation of the suspected causative drug led to resolution of signs and a consequent improvement in visual acuity. Conclusion: Ponatinib use may be associated with with a uveitic phenotype that is reminiscent of Harada's disease. We compare and contrast this rare ocular phenomenon with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome and discuss a possible immunological basis.